Progressive Urgent Care - Castro Valley - Castro Valley, California

Wednesday L.

I came in on a Saturday afternoon (1/25 around 2pm) for an ear infection that was progressively getting worse despite prescribed antibiotics and ibuprofen.

I called ahead to make sure they were able to assist with walk-ins for an ear infection and if they took my health insurance. I believe the same front desk lady that answered the phone also helped me when I arrived - I had to fill out a form and was seen within about 30-40 minutes with maybe 2 people waiting ahead of me. My visit overall was about an hour long.

My pain coming in was already a 9, to which I expressed to the assistant nurse taking my vitals (blood pressure, temperature, etc). This was despite already being on 800mg prescribed ibuprofen.

I reiterated that I was on antibiotics for my R Ear being infected, however the infection had spread to my L Ear. I felt pain in my ear, back of ear, jaw, and neck. I could barely close my mouth and couldn't chew or talk without pain.

Everything was going smoothly until the doctor that treated me arrived. I immediately felt a lack of bedside manner as he aggressively grabbed my ears to check them, stating the obvious and that my ears were extremely swollen and he couldn't see into my ear canals.

The doctor was dismissive of my emotional or physical concerns and kept reiterating that I was using Q tips, to which I already admitted to doing so about once a week.

I told him I had gotten sick a week prior and my nasal cavity and throat became itchy constantly and my ears shortly after and he went back to my use of Q tips.

Because I was at fault for using Q tips, it almost seemed like he he had an attitude as if I should be punished for using them. It felt like an unsafe environment and was only confirmed when he said that he didn't have a "wick" or the materials here to properly insert one. His solution? Stick an elongated Qtip into my ear with gauze attached at the end to use as a temporary solution to allow the antibiotics to reach into my ear canal.

That sounds a lot better than what he actually did, which was jam that stick into my ear aggressively with zero compassion for the physical pain I was feeling. As I switched over from my side to the left so he could repeate the process, I heard him say, "Well, we have to do this again. Sorry." In a sarcastic tone with dry delivery. I literally was screaming and crying from the pain, I have never had a doctor treat me so aggressively before with zero compassion for my condition or state I was in.

I unfortunately regularly get ear infections. I have seen and spoken to many doctors. If the topical antibiotics do not work or I have an adverse reaction, I am administered an oral antibiotic, and that is the expectation I went in with.

I left in tears crying and the front desk lady was kind enough to give me a box of tissues. I couldn't hear anything so I asked my partner to ask if I had any paperwork to sign. The doctor said that the prescription would be sent to my pharmacy in 45 minutes and briefed my boyfriend on how to care for me/my ears. Only then did it seem like the doctor was speaking to him, not down to him like it felt with me.

Sunday morning I called again multiple times with no answer, as my pharmacy was closed on weekends and I wanted to ask if they could send the prescription elsewhere because my pain is at 10 now. I emailed, no answer.

Consequently I ended up scheduling another virtual appointment with a doctor through my insurance who was empathetic, listened to my symptoms, and prescribed me an oral antibiotic. He even looked up a 24hr pharmacy near me for pickup since I was in a lot of pain and wanted to get help as soon as possible without visiting the ER. I should have done this instead of visit the urgent care.

Overall Experience at Progressive Urgent Care: 1/5 and the 1 is only because the front desk lady that Saturday was nice. Lack of empathy from the doctor, decent wait time (1 hr), no follow-up regarding my appointment or prescriptions.

I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

Jackquelin G.

They state they don't close until 9pm 7 days a week yet when I stopped by at 730 they were closed even though all the signs stated open. Both gates were closed!! They also only answer the phone when they feel like it and when they do they put you on hold for over 20mins and if you try calling back they won't answer. Voicemail full meaning they don't bother listening to Voicemails. Don't waste your time or money here.

Forrest S.

Been here a couple times when I needed care sooner than my doctor's schedule could permit. Always had a good experience, just call ahead and see if you can get an appointment, and expect it will take time to be seen because of the short turnaround in care. Front of house and nurses are friendly!

Andy M.

The worst doctor we haver experienced at this center today . Took my son in for a sore throat and this Dr (not sure what his specialty is, definitely not very health conscious himself as I can imagine with his overweight and grimy grubby look).
He haggled us to do unnecessary tests through out the whole 2 hours we were there .
The office was without any other patients at the time
My son did a COVID test prior to the visit and a strep throat test 3 weeks ago (both were negative). He has white blotches developed inside his throat and this Dr. wanted to redo COVID and Strep test AGAIN. Of course all negative!
Hmm what else can he charge our insurance now? So his brilliant Camel vet mind came up with a Mono test.
He stated that Mono is positive! I did not believe that result and requested to see the strip. He was hesitant first but ultimately he showed me. Not even a slight indication of positive that his unqualified staff came up with!
I took a few pictures of the strip which shows negative! He repeatedly argued that he sees color there (lol). No wonder this place is empty all the time with this sort of scammy practice.
He now has the guts to tell me " may be we can send the strep throat swab to a lab". Hmmm more money.
Several times I requested Amoxicillin and he said "yes yes" but later he denied as I refused to pay for more and more tests.
I asked if it is Mono, how can he explain white rash inside the throat?
He said "hmm...may be he has both!"
What a clown. Should have stuck to his Camel selling business I thought.
I request this business to fire this so called doctor in order to amplify you dignity and business ethics.
Oh btw, we went to Eden hospital and he has no Mono. I will be filing very soon just to justify this for all future patients. Thanks to me that I took the picture of the Mono strip. My attorney next as I'm thinking , as I will take him as far as I need to.

Samir N.

I recently visited Progressive Urgent Care and was extremely disappointed with the service. Despite having a scheduled appointment, I was kept waiting for over an hour before even seeing the doctor. This isn't the first time I've experienced such long delays at this clinic. It's incredibly frustrating to have to wait so long, especially when you've made an appointment in advance. Patients deserve more respect for their time, and this pattern of long waits is unacceptable.

Cherrie C.

Dr. Najibulrahman Sailfulrahman falsified a virtual visit that never occurred, days after I was seen in-patient. I was never told that a prescription was sent to a pharmacy for me, resulting in an untreated infection now for weeks. I will be contacting the state medical board. This is medical malpractice and insurance fraud. This is unacceptable behavior from a medical professional.

Jenn M.

No matter what -
It will always suck going to urgent care, because the reason you are going, sucks. It is going to always take a long time to be seen since you walked in, just like 10 other people decided to do at the same time.

Since blue cross/blue shield customer care is not helpful (they just email you a generic list thast doesn't even cover what you need), i looked up and found these folks myself. I came in for a lingering cough that just seemed to be getting worse and with asthma, its more of a concern with hearing my lungs bubble.

The ladies who took care of me today in Castro valley are awesome! They were considerate, caring and were able to take care of me in a few hours......I literally just walked out and am writing this review in my car.

If I need to go to urgent care, it's most deff going to be progressive again.

As for the negative reviews, either they have never been to urgent care before, were total karens wanting to push an agenda, or people out to try to ruin ratings for this place.

AMomma23

This is where my primary care doctor is and every time I call, they don’t answer the phone.
I am a disabled senior, and I’m having significant pain And I can’t get a hold of them
Once you get in the doctor, takes care of you by referring you outside the office for MRIs, etc. but the front desk needs to do better