The Villages Hospital -- The Worst Ever???

[Bonanza]

A few nights ago I wasn't feeling well after being away for a week. My husband thought the symptoms I was experiencing mirrored some of those regarding possible heart issues in women (which are different from men). He insisted that we go over to the emergency room at the Villages Hospital.

After signing in, we sat there waiting to be called. I recall there being a few other people also waiting, but it wasn't crowded. After about 3/4 of an hour, a nurse came out and made an announcement that people were not taken on a first-come first-served basis; they were seen as determined by how serious their ailment was (remember, my husband thought I had a heart problem).

During the time we sat waiting, others arrived and signed in, waiting to also be seen. I was finally called in. The nurse took my temp and blood pressure which was very high and I was then told to go back out and have a seat. An hour passed. Still nothing. We sat there in wait, freezing our butts off. It felt like a meat packing plant, it was so cold.

True -- I don't know what was wrong with the many others who were taken and seen before me, but after more than two hours, we had had it. We left and went home.

First thing the following morning I was able to get an appointment with my doctor (with whom I was a relatively new patient) who graciously squeezed me into to his schedule.

The treatment at the Villages Hospital (or should I say the lack of treatment) was reprehensible. Outrageous is another adjective I would use. It's unfortunate there isn't a penalty for a hospital emergency room that operates like that.

I'm sure there will be many comments to my post, by those who voice accolades for this hospital. However, I can only say that they will never see my face again. I'll go elsewhere, even if I die on the way.

[nkrifats]

Emergency Rooms work that way. Spent six hours waiting one night. Just a fact of life.

[aln]

Three words.........NINE ONE ONE !

Having had quad by-pass I know what the various chest pains are.
When I moved here I asked my cardiologist, which IS associated with The Villages Hosp, if I should encounter chest pains where should I go. He said Monroe Regional.
Last summer I did have chest pains. No amount of nitro that I carry would help. Called 911 and was transported to Monroe. My point is the EMT'S tried to stabilize me. Didn't - but at least I was in good hands immediately. Once at Monroe I saw a doctor almost immediately.

If the EMT'S had seen you and were able to stabilize you chances are you would have been able to stay home, relax and get an appointment with your doctor at your convenience.

If you're able to 'walk in' and 'walk out' of an emergency room - 2 hours doesn't seem very long.

[Blessed2BNTV]

I too had a similar situation - not heart issue. I waited 11 hours. The nurse that saw me echoed my feelings about the ER.

I originally went to urgent care and the doctor at urgent care sent me to the ER. Thought I might have appendicitis.

[graciegirl]

They are building a very large addition to the hospital as we speak which will include additions to the ER. Hopefully that will help.


Bonanza, I hope you are feeling better. What was wrong?

[zcaveman]

That is why I have been going to Urgent Care centers. Very seldom is there a long wait.

Z

[red tail]

A few nights ago I wasn't feeling well after being away for a week. My husband thought the symptoms I was experiencing mirrored some of those regarding possible heart issues in women (which are different from men). He insisted that we go over to the emergency room at the Villages Hospital.

After signing in, we sat there waiting to be called. I recall there being a few other people also waiting, but it wasn't crowded. After about 3/4 of an hour, a nurse came out and made an announcement that people were not taken on a first-come first-served basis; they were seen as determined by how serious their ailment was (remember, my husband thought I had a heart problem).

During the time we sat waiting, others arrived and signed in, waiting to also be seen. I was finally called in. The nurse took my temp and blood pressure which was very high and I was then told to go back out and have a seat. An hour passed. Still nothing. We sat there in wait, freezing our butts off. It felt like a meat packing plant, it was so cold.

True -- I don't know what was wrong with the many others who were taken and seen before me, but after more than two hours, we had had it. We left and went home.

First thing the following morning I was able to get an appointment with my doctor (with whom I was a relatively new patient) who graciously squeezed me into to his schedule.

The treatment at the Villages Hospital (or should I say the lack of treatment) was reprehensible. Outrageous is another adjective I would use. It's unfortunate there isn't a penalty for a hospital emergency room that operates like that.

I'm sure there will be many comments to my post, by those who voice accolades for this hospital. However, I can only say that they will never see my face again. I'll go elsewhere, even if I die on the way.

they are not the worst ever as said............

think 'Triage'....as evidenced by this thread it seems to be working at our hospital!

[graciegirl]

Average U.S. ER wait time 4-plus hours - UPI.com (http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/07/26/Average-US-ER-wait-time-4-plus-hours/UPI-76891280122494/)


If you google long wait times in ER you get a LOT of hits.

[nitehawk]

I guess the hospital is outside the bubble -- all is not right in paradise

[red tail]

I guess the hospital is outside the bubble -- all is not right in paradise

meaning???????????????

[billybye]

Have been there twice, pneumonia once and an fib problem once. One walk- in and one by ems ambulance. Both times was taken care of immediately because it was an emergency.
If not an emergency go to Urgent Care and let the people who need emergency care to emergency room.
I can not say enough good things about emergency room and care received after being admitted - they are great.
Don't plan on going back though, have my problem under control now.

[justjim]

If you were having heart attack signs they should have taken you right in. The only thing I could figure was that the nurse determined your symptoms were not immediate life threating. That's a lot of responsibility to put,on a nurse.

Lots of Threads about the Village Hospital ER wait time. I know they are continuing to expand----maybe the expansion will help.

[Shirleevee]

My husband had a similar situation. Said he had chest pain and was seen immediately 3 times. Had 2 stents and AAA surgery and NEVER a problem. I would write or go to see the hospital Administrator to at least express my frustration.

[Erijo]

Dear Bonanza, You MUST write a letter to the CEO of the hospital. A situation where a patient has chest pain and is not taken right away is is WRONG! Take names, date and time of arrival, as many details as you can and put this in your letter! Address the letter to the CEO,(google his name). I am a nurse (not working at present) and I am telling you, if you want a response, write to him/her. CC a copy to the head of the ER and the Director of Nursing. Nothing will improve if as patients we don't report it. Of course, this goes for the times we receive good care and are happy with the care. Letters should be written than also. I am glad you're OK, but write that letter.

[buggyone]

911 is the best idea whenever you think there is a possibility of a heart problem. You would have been seen right away.

I hope your doctor was able to treat your issue the following day and it was not too serious.

[Happinow]

I have never had to go to the ER in TV.....thank goodness. I have instructed my husband that if I ever need to go to a hospital it won't be The Villages. If I feel it's a heart problem we will call an ambulance and be transported elsewhere. I've heard too many horror stories about TV hospital. Let's just hope that they correct the issues with the expansion. Some of our lives may depend on it.

[DONKEY10]

I still work in a hospital. Your 2 hour wait was not that bad. Trust me if you were deathly ill or on the verge of dying they would have taken you first. I worked in Hospitals where you may wait 8 hours before an ER doctor sees you. If they are busy they treat the critically ill first. That's just how it is.

[DONKEY10]

It is already worse. I have seen it first hand since I still work in a hospital. The reimbursements are less from the govt. and insurance companies. Hospitals cut staff patient wait times are longer since there are less staff to treat them. Its all about the bottom line a lot of times espeacially now. Everyone will suffer including the patient. Horse manure runs down hill.

[gardeniagirl]

My permanent home is in Winston Salem, NC, home of Wake Forest Baptist Hospital(university teaching hospital). I've gone to the Emergency Room for myself twice, husband went twice, mother (92 yrs. old) twice last year).....six visits. ALL of them required no more than 20 minutes wait time. Admitting is done by an ER nurse, who determines the severity. With mom diagnosed quickly with sepsis, blood pressure dropping rapidly, (blood poisoning all over her body), they told me to stand back and the ER team went to work as if they were saving the Gov. of the state....they were fast, efficient, as they were in the other five instances, saved her life twice last year. Wake Forest Baptist rates #22 in the Nation for hospitals, second in the state to Duke University Hospital by one point, and the care is phenominal. Mother is a medicaid patient, and they sent for an air mattress for her due to bed sores from the nursing home she was in. I can't say enough great things about good hospitals. I've heard enough about this one to pray everytime I come down, that I don't need them......

[gardeniagirl]

Go to U.S. News & World Report. Check the ratings for hospitals nearest, and as I remember, Winter Haven (about an hour) is rated well, don't remember the others. I'd head down the interstate and burn that 2 hrs.+ getting to a place that could save me if I get there in time......heard too many bad things about TV hospital...not for me.

[Finallyfree]

I just got released from the Villages Hospital and am doing well. We went to urgent care, then for a CT at the hospital on Memorial Day, dr. said go home and see your dr tomorrow. My husband (always have an advocate) said no way, we went to ER told them the situation, they saw me before some other people who were already there and admitted me with a 7mm kidney stone and sepsis. The ER staff was very professional and caring. I prefer no hospital, but would go here again if I get ill.

[ilovetv]

My permanent home is in Winston Salem, NC, home of Wake Forest Baptist Hospital(university teaching hospital). I've gone to the Emergency Room for myself twice, husband went twice, mother (92 yrs. old) twice last year).....six visits. ALL of them required no more than 20 minutes wait time. Admitting is done by an ER nurse, who determines the severity. With mom diagnosed quickly with sepsis, blood pressure dropping rapidly, (blood poisoning all over her body), they told me to stand back and the ER team went to work as if they were saving the Gov. of the state....they were fast, efficient, as they were in the other five instances, saved her life twice last year. Wake Forest Baptist rates #22 in the Nation for hospitals, second in the state to Duke University Hospital by one point, and the care is phenominal. Mother is a medicaid patient, and they sent for an air mattress for her due to bed sores from the nursing home she was in. I can't say enough great things about good hospitals. I've heard enough about this one to pray everytime I come down, that I don't need them......

Please. It's called "triage" and it's how every ER works, with some doing a better job than others. We are ALL from states that have major teaching-research hospitals like this nearby, as we have here in Orlando and Gainesville areas. We go there when referred by our own doctors for the bigger, more complex or rare problems.

And there, "stand back" and let 4 dozen interns, medical students, nursing students, residents, and specialists in training come in to get experience on you all day and night, and hope they are giving the top-notch specialist in charge an accurate assessment of the patient.

Yes, these teaching/research hospitals are some of the crown jewels of this country and the world, but comparing them to a good community hospital is simply comparing apples to oranges.

Most people in need of an urgent care or ER will be fine at an established community hospital employing board-certified doctors. They are listed in the hospitals' departmental staff bio listings.

[dillywho]

Say what you want about The Villages Hospital, but because of them I still have my husband. Leesburg or Ocala...he would never have made it to either of them.

[Madelaine Amee]

This is one subject that really angers me. When I hear people who have NEVER had to use our hospital, saying that it is no good makes my blood boil. Believe me if you have a life or death situation the closest hospital is where you need to be. They saved my husband's life or rather the resident on call that night did! I elected to have major surgery there which was more than successful. We have some excellent surgeons here in TV and if they are comfortable operating in this hospital it's good enough for me!

I am (unfortunately) knowledgeable about several of the local hospitals including two in Ocala, one in Leesburg and even the Mayo in Jacksonville, and I still think we are fortunate to have a hospital right here on our doorstep.

I am thankful to say we have had no experience with the ER and I will not comment, but the hospital and staff I do know about and I, for one, am grateful we have this place available to us.

[Steve & Deanna]

Emergency Rooms are not the most pleasant places to be whether it's The Village or anywhere; however it seems to me that 'heart' is an automatic let's treat her/him immediately. That said, I'd still rather be in a hospital having a heart attack.

[Bonanza]

Dear Bonanza, You MUST write a letter to the CEO of the hospital. A situation where a patient has chest pain and is not taken right away is is WRONG! Take names, date and time of arrival, as many details as you can and put this in your letter! Address the letter to the CEO,(google his name). I am a nurse (not working at present) and I am telling you, if you want a response, write to him/her. CC a copy to the head of the ER and the Director of Nursing. Nothing will improve if as patients we don't report it. Of course, this goes for the times we receive good care and are happy with the care. Letters should be written than also. I am glad you're OK, but write that letter.

You are absolutely correct.

If a business or service does not operate the way a customer (or patient, in this case) feels it should,
nothing will ever change unless it is brought to the attention of the owner/manager/CEO, etc.

I agree with you whole-heartedly.

[Bonanza]

911 is the best idea whenever you think there is a possibility of a heart problem. You would have been seen right away.

I hope your doctor was able to treat your issue the following day and it was not too serious.

Thank you for your thoughts. My doctor saw me right away the following morning, thankfully. No, I don't believe it's anything serious, but need a little more time for some follow-up tests. It didn't turn out to be a heart problem and after a few different medications and a cat scan, I'm doing much better.

I guess I've lived under a rock, having always been healthy and not realizing these long wait hours in an ER.
Once again -- TOTV has educated me after reading everyone's comments!

:clap2:

[njbchbum]

Does anyone know of a patient who or if a patient ever died while waiting in the Villages hospital Emergency Room waiting area? The negative comments here just made me wonder.

[Vernster]

As Gracie said, hopefully, additional ER space will help. But, only if it is staffed with sufficient numbers of competent, experienced employees. Short staffing seems to be a problem in all areas of The Villages Hospital.

[janmcn]

Does anyone know of a patient who or if a patient ever died while waiting in the Villages hospital Emergency Room waiting area? The negative comments here just made me wonder.

According to The Daily Sun, Russell Kear, age 75, passed away in the emergency room of The Villages Hospital on May 3, 2014.

[Bizdoc]

According to The Daily Sun, Russell Kear, age 75, passed away in the emergency room of The Villages Hospital on May 3, 2014.

People die every day in ERs - more in "name brand" ERs like Mass General and Hopkins. Nature of ERs.

You can't compare a large major hospital ER to TV Regional Hospital. It doesn't have hordes of interns and residents standing around waiting for folks to walk thru the door.

That having been said, a couple of years ago, DW fell while we were on vacation. We spent 12 hours at Mass General ER, much of it waiting for someone to put 4 stitches in her face. Once the excitement of "head trauma, do an MRI" was over, we had to wait with all of the other folks for someone to do the actual stitches. Moral of the story is to always take a book to the ER to keep you occupied.

[dbussone]

As Gracie said, hopefully, additional ER space will help. But, only if it is staffed with sufficient numbers of competent, experienced employees. Short staffing seems to be a problem in all areas of The Villages Hospital.


The number of additional staff MUST include more physicians and physician extenders. They are frequently the bottleneck. I've seen new ER space go unused (or used for another purpose) due to insufficient providers.

[njbchbum]

According to The Daily Sun, Russell Kear, age 75, passed away in the emergency room of The Villages Hospital on May 3, 2014.

Thanks, janmcn. That's ONE of how many? Makes the odds look rather good for a successful trip to the Villages E.R., although a bit long.

[rn1tv]

Bonanza, I would think that, if your medical condition was as serious as you make it out to be, I would think that you would have called EMS and you would have been seen immediately. If you didn't think it was necessary to call EMS, maybe you were right and so was the triage nurse.

[Stitcher girl]

My experience is positive.....took husband to the ER who has high BP and wasn't feeling well. Told me he was tingling all over. We went into the ER, I sat him in a chair told the girl at the desk his symptoms.and he was seen immediately......several hours later he was admitted with an extreme potassium deficiency...right as rain in 24 hours.

[Russ_Boston]

The number of additional staff MUST include more physicians and physician extenders. They are frequently the bottleneck. I've seen new ER space go unused (or used for another purpose) due to insufficient providers.


The physician staff at TVRH is not employed by TVRH. They work for the Phoenix Medical group. Staffing will be appropriate to the patient level that flows through. It's not all about how many rooms in the ED. It's also about where to house the patients while waiting for a room elsewhere if they are made inpatient or being observed as an observation patient.

[dillywho]

According to The Daily Sun, Russell Kear, age 75, passed away in the emergency room of The Villages Hospital on May 3, 2014.

This is not really any information. Did it say that he died while waiting to be seen? Was he too critical to be saved? Did he come in on his own or was he brought in by a friend/family member? Did he arrive by ambulance? Was he ill or injured?

Sorry, but the statement just seems inflammatory given the discussion.

[Shirleevee]

This is not really any information. Did it say that he died while waiting to be seen? Was he too critical to be saved? Did he come in on his own or was he brought in by a friend/family member? Did he arrive by ambulance? Was he ill or injured?

Sorry, but the statement just seems inflammatory given the discussion.

I agree :clap2:

[Shirleevee]

Thank you for your thoughts. My doctor saw me right away the following morning, thankfully. No, I don't believe it's anything serious, but need a little more time for some follow-up tests. It didn't turn out to be a heart problem and after a few different medications and a cat scan, I'm doing much better.

I guess I've lived under a rock, having always been healthy and not realizing these long wait hours in an ER.
Once again -- TOTV has educated me after reading everyone's comments!

:clap2:

Average wait time NY hospital Er's is 4 hours unless you have heart issues.

[annaconner]

Some time ago I fainted and struck my head on a piece of furniture. Unfortunately I had a scalp laceration which required five staples. I was transported to ER at TVRH and lay in a corridor for four hours. I understood the main reason for concern was that I had a head injury. During this wait my husband was called to the desk in reception and asked to pay $3.000 before any examination had been made. I was eventually taken to a cubicle where I was attached to an IV and heart monitor. Never once were my neurological signs tested and yet this was the main concern. I eventually was transferred to a ward at 4.30am making a wait of 8 hours. to cut a very long story short, after having received all the bills which took some time, we opted to self pay and the total was in the region of $5,000. Had we used our insurance it would have been $10,000. A big profit for the professionals!!! We eventually claimed back from our insurance company when we arrived home. Perhaps I should mention that we are seasonal visitors from Scotland.

[dbussone]

The physician staff at TVRH is not employed by TVRH. They work for the Phoenix Medical group. Staffing will be appropriate to the patient level that flows through. It's not all about how many rooms in the ED. It's also about where to house the patients while waiting for a room elsewhere if they are made inpatient or being observed as an observation patient.

Staffing level of physicians is one of the problems that has created the long wait times. I've had several former medical staff officers tell me that personally, and it included a trip to the ER for my wife (by ambulance) who waited 6 hours for the ER doc to order xrays and call an orthopod to treat a bad fracture.

[rockyisle]

Having read this type of thread several times since moving to TV, I can say that I would have definitely called 911 for an ambulance ride to Monroe Regional. We had a medical emergency last year and our doctor told us to head north - not the TV hospital. Fantastic, immediate care given - happy ending to the story.
I hope that when the new additional is completed they have the ability to staff it with more doctors and nurses in the emergency room. It's just a fact of life that we live in a community of aging adults who are going to have (probably) higher than average emergency situations. It is a fact that after the big survey with USF was completed, the developer knew it had to expand the hospital in our area - so they have.
I love the Villages Health Care system - we've been part of it since inception. But I'd still head north for any hospitalization... I'm my best advocate...

[Xavier]

Thank you for your thoughts. My doctor saw me right away the following morning, thankfully. No, I don't believe it's anything serious, but need a little more time for some follow-up tests. It didn't turn out to be a heart problem and after a few different medications and a cat scan, I'm doing much better.

I guess I've lived under a rock, having always been healthy and not realizing these long wait hours in an ER.
Once again -- TOTV has educated me after reading everyone's comments!

:clap2:

Gee, maybe now would be a good time to go back and change or tone-down your original subject line and post.

I am happy to learn that you didn't have something terribly serious (life threatening) wrong with you and you're now on the mend.

Xavier

[Vladimir]

I too have had a bad experience with TVRH's emergency room and would never go back there. If I need a hospital or emergency room care in the future I will go to Ocala, Mayo or Leesburg. TVRH may have good doctors and staff but their system and business model is broken. Yes you may have to wait in the emergency room but the wait in other hospitals that I or friends or family members experienced is not as outrageously long (with little clear communication) as in TVRH - even for non life threatening issues

[Challenger]

Gee, maybe now would be a good time to go back and change or tone-down your original subject line and post.

I am happy to learn that you didn't have something terribly serious (life threatening) wrong with you and you're now on the mend.

Xavier

Agreed - subject lines are quite often unfortunately unrepresentative of the postings , much like sensational headlines