[marianne237]

Recently, my husband had an accident and EMT took him to Leesburg. A CT scan indicated he had a badly fractured spine. Since no MRI tech was available, we had to wait 3 hours for one to show up and tell us he couldn't take an MRI because of my husbands exhisting scoliosis and bent spine. Nine hours later, after keeping him strapped down on his back with nothing for his pain, I was advised he was being transferred to Orlando Regional (this was after I had requested a transfer to Gainesville). Driving into Orlando to an unknown location at 1 am by myself is not an experience I ever need again in my life. Hubby was seen in ER immediately, assessed and sent to a surgical unit. Because of high coumadin levels, his spinal fusion was delayed for several days, but he was given pain meds, sedation and constant attention. I was allowed to sleep over in his room for several nights. His surgery was a success and after a week, was admitted to rehab in Orlando. The neurosurgeon and hospital staff at ORC could not have been kinder or responsive to all our needs...mine as well as his.

I feel that the "service" given at Leesburg hindered his case, and he was in the hallway for 9 hours and insurance will be billed approximately $9000. There was no reason he could not have been transferred to a major trauma center sooner. Should there ever be an emergency in our family again or with a neighbor, I would find it very hard to ever suggest either one of our hospitals. Wish there could be a program like Under cover Boss (under cover patient) who went around and checked out hospitals with multiple complains.