Villages ER - awful - Saga continues

[Tbear]

This continues the thread I started called Villages Hospital ER - Awful which attracted quite a few replies and several thousand views.

I mentioned in my original post that I walked out of the Villages ER after 2 hours passed with no one as much as taking my wife's temperature. She was treated immediately at Leesburg.

I happened to be reviewing online what Leesburg submitted for insurance reimbursement when I noticed a claim submitted by none other than The Villages Hospital.

It turns out that The Villages Hospital submitted a claim for almost $3000!! For what? I notified my insurance company who contacted the hospital who said it was for Triaging my wife and associated paperwork - which they never did!

I again notified my insurance company that the hospital did absolutely nothing and they will again pursue it.

Even though this doesn't come out of my pocket, it irks me no end that The Villages Hospital ER is attempting to collect money for doing absolutely nothing.

To be continued....

Tbear

[NYGUY]

That is just one of the many ways medical providers make money.

This is fraud. In Florida, report it to the following:

Daniel S. Anderson
Director
Florida Department of Financial Services -
Fraud Division
200 E. Gaines Street, Larson Bldg.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0324
To report fraud: 1-800-378-0445

[Miles42]

The Villages Hospital ER has to be the worst one in The state. Sent My wife home in Early October saying nothing was wrong and being sarcastic about it. Less that thirty six hours later in Leesburg Hospital for 16 Days. & of those in ICU.

[HoosierPa]

Have never read much good about TV Hospital. We are new here and this is invaluable info to know when the need arises. My concern is that I understand the next nearest hospital being Leesburg, is part of the same Company. ?

[justjim]

Have never read much good about TV Hospital. We are new here and this is invaluable info to know when the need arises. My concern is that I understand the next nearest hospital being Leesburg, is part of the same Company. ?

Leesburg and TVRH are under the same umbrella. You will find several Threads on the Village Hospital and most of the unfavorable comments are about the ER.

[collie1228]

Two years ago I injured two fingers and went to TV Hospital ER. They saw me pretty quickly (I was bleeding on the waiting room floor), and gave me three stitches (by a PA) on one finger and I told them not to stitch the other finger, as it didn't look that bad to me, and the pain killer shot in a fingertip is painful in the extreme. They xrayed the fingers, told me there were tiny fractures in both, but there was no treatment required. The bill was over $4,000, which was all out of pocket since I had a high deductible insurance policy at the time. They charged me over $800 for the "fractured" fingertips, over and above the cost of the xray. I paid the bill, but wrote a letter to the hospital complaining about it. I got no satisfaction. But I'll never go back.

[rivaridger1]

Went to the The Villages Hospital ER recently in the pre-dawn AM with an infected hand. I was the only person in the waiting room and sat for two hours. The entertainment was watching a gentleman sneak in when the security was not present, to use the men's room. He stared at me cautiously
for about five minutes before he entered and was in there for an hour before leaving through the ER entrance. I have no idea what he was doing, but my imagination does. Finally, after two hours I was escorted back to a room. After another hour and a half was not seen by either a nurse or doctor so I got up and left. They billed Medicare for the visit. When I called to protest they said I was " Triaged " ( blood pressure and temperature taken which took a minute or two ) and thus they were entitled to bill.

[rjm1cc]

You might want to look towards Ocala which has 3 hospitals. These might work for some emergencies.

[Loudoll]

2 of my friends died there.

[John_W]

Two years ago one of my neighbors decided to take a motorcycle ride at 3am in the morning. Somewhere along CR462 just before US 301 he was knocked off his bike by a passing car. All he remembers is waking up in the hospital. Apparently he was found by the police about 6am on the side of the road. Even though he was in Wildwood, the ambulance company didn't take him to TV Hospital, but instead to Ocala Regional Medical Center.

There are two hospitals side-by-side to the east side of US 301 as you approach Ocala downtown. If your northbound on 301, Munroe Regional is on the left and Ocala Regional is on the right. Both buildings are highrise and you can see them from 301, if you turn at the blue hospital sign you can go to either one. My friend was there for a couple of weeks and said the care and service was great. I was surprised when I traveled to visit, taking 301 from the south end of TV it didn't take more than 30 minutes to get to the hospital.

http://www.insideflorida.com/images/cities/ocala_regional_hospital_medium.jpg

[pspano]

Unfortunately I have had at least 4 visits to TVRH ER and 2 admissions in the recent past supporting an elderly parent. I have to agree that the wait time, attitude, and responsiveness of the hospital staff (not all but most) leaves a lot to be desired. Patient attentiveness isn't all that great either. Had my sister and I not been with our parent every single day I am sure the myriad of services that the patients require would not have been fulfilled. I know this because for the most part we performed most of them. Staff (again some but not all) tend to disappear when they know that family is sitting bedside to keep their loved one company. I am concerned that the health care of this country will continue to decline and we will all be in a world of trouble sooner rather than later. To say that the experiences were unpleasant are an understatement. I feel for those that have to use this facility and don't have anyone to be their watchful eye or spokesperson. The arrogance of the ER Administrator telling my sister and I of all the great improvements that he has made and how TVRH has the best wait time ratings was like a smack in the face. I have had enough conversations with others waiting in the ER to know that the majority of the residents/visitors feel exactly the same way. As the population in The Villages and surrounding area continues to grow so will the problems with the medical facilities. The upside (if there is any) is that I have certainly learned a lot about patient care, use of medical terminology, questions to ask, signs to watch out for and to be thankful for the good DR's, RN's, CNA's, nutritionists etc when they do come along.

[villager]

Recently, our doctor wanted me to take my dad to the ER for a blood transfusion. He said "go now!" and gave me a STAT order to give to the ER. While being triaged, the nurses said they had people that had been waiting 6 ½ hours and still hadn't been brought back to see a doctor. I asked if a STAT order made a difference - nope. When I mentioned the Villages' app showed a wait time of 0 minutes (and showed them the screen on my phone), they said those apps always lie. They said the time shown is usually until someone is triaged, not seen by a doctor. 4 ½ hours later, we were finally called back to a room. I guess we should consider ourselves luck we didn't have to wait 6 ½ hours! I just don't understand why the ER has to be this way.

[rivaridger1]

This theme is constant and keeps getting worse. Management is uncaring and arrogant. It is time to start writing letters to the members of the Board of Directors.

[marianne237]

Will writing letter to anyone really help? These tales re: TVRH are repeated and repeated and repeated. I know folks have written to management and there is no response. What do we have to do? Dr. Welby where are you?

[skip0358]

Having been involved with EMS before moving to Florida I can tell you the ERs in General are HORRIBLE. Wait time is crazy and people wasting emergency ambulances because they think they get in quicker. We had a 7-11 next to the Hospital by us on Long Island and you'd see people in Hospital Gowns with IV poles walking in the door of the 7-11 because they needed food they'd been waiting so long. It's only gotten worse and will continue. ERs can't & won't refuse to see you or treat you. Our insurance & medical in the good ole USA is a disgrace. I really don't know how the Doctors & Nurses can work in an ER. You see all the walking wounded, the cold & tired and sometimes the most filthy disgusting people you could imagine come to the ER. The Hospitals in General are swamped with patients and it's only going to get worse.
As for TVRH I've had 4 procedures done in the Hospital and was treated fine. This last one I had to wait 2 months after my procedure to get into my rehab class they're so backed up.
I truly believe they're doing the best they can. If you don't like them don't go but remember this IF you call an Ambulance unless it's a trauma guess where your going. Be patient.

[perrjojo]

Having been involved with EMS before moving to Florida I can tell you the ERs in General are HORRIBLE. Wait time is crazy and people wasting emergency ambulances because they think they get in quicker. We had a 7-11 next to the Hospital by us on Long Island and you'd see people in Hospital Gowns with IV poles walking in the door of the 7-11 because they needed food they'd been waiting so long. It's only gotten worse and will continue. ERs can't & won't refuse to see you or treat you. Our insurance & medical in the good ole USA is a disgrace. I really don't know how the Doctors & Nurses can work in an ER. You see all the walking wounded, the cold & tired and sometimes the most filthy disgusting people you could imagine come to the ER. The Hospitals in General are swamped with patients and it's only going to get worse.
As for TVRH I've had 4 procedures done in the Hospital and was treated fine. This last one I had to wait 2 months after my procedure to get into my rehab class they're so backed up.
I truly believe they're doing the best they can. If you don't like them don't go but remember this IF you call an Ambulance unless it's a trauma guess where your going. Be patient.

I agree. My husband has been to the ER 4 times. The first time was during "season" and that was miserable. Three other times he did have a wait but when the waiting room is full you have to expect that. Twice he was admitted and his care from start to finish was excellent.

[skip0358]

I was at TVRH today for my rehab. As I walked by the ER there were about 15 people ER waiting room. What I thought was really strange thou on my way by the Urgent Care room there was only 1 person waiting. Guess it is the freebe rule. Urgent care can do almost all that the ER can and it's open 8-8. Might want to try them next time !

[NotGolfer]

There are folks who use the ER as a clinic rather than using Urgent Care. This is an abuse! That said, everything is perception re: the ER....when you're in pain etc. you want care STAT. But that rarely happens. I've said it before...we've experienced TVRH (Leesburg too) ER and will say while there were waits our care was excellent.

[Tbear]

This continues the thread I started called Villages Hospital ER - Awful which attracted quite a few replies and several thousand views.

I mentioned in my original post that I walked out of the Villages ER after 2 hours passed with no one as much as taking my wife's temperature. She was treated immediately at Leesburg.

I happened to be reviewing online what Leesburg submitted for insurance reimbursement when I noticed a claim submitted by none other than The Villages Hospital.

It turns out that The Villages Hospital submitted a claim for almost $3000!! For what? I notified my insurance company who contacted the hospital who said it was for Triaging my wife and associated paperwork - which they never did!

I again notified my insurance company that the hospital did absolutely nothing and they will again pursue it.

Even though this doesn't come out of my pocket, it irks me no end that The Villages Hospital ER is attempting to collect money for doing absolutely nothing.

To be continued....

Tbear


I began this thread with a promise for it to be continued. Well, after notifying my insurance company that Villages ER did nothing but put a wrist band on my wife and told her to sit in the waiting room, they paid the ER $552 which is the medicare allowance for the $2290 the ER charged them.

I guess from a corporate point of view, it likely costs the insurance company more than $552 do refute the claim but as one respondent in this thread suggested - this is fraudulent in nature by the hospital -

I had to chuckle at the recent article about the Villages hospital in the FEB POA bulletin entitled " The Villages Hospital: Working toward Extraordinary Care "

Do Mr. Pittman and Susan Williams really know how poor service is at their hospital? The article makes for great reading reminding me of my corporate days when consultants were hired to create well polished, top level, multi-phased plans to impress the board of directors and stock holders. I sincerely wish them well and hope they can improve things for the sake of all of us.

I'm tempted to point out this thread ( and the many others ) in this forum to them so their research can see what their customers are really saying...

Tbear

[Bogie Shooter]

So, why don't you??
If you go to this site there are ways to email all of the management team.
Let us know what response you get.
Executive team | The Villages Regional Hospital | The Villages, Florida (https://www.thevillagesregionalhospital.org/about-us/executive-team/)

[Happinow]

My father in law was having chest pain and went to TVRH. He was triaged and told to have a seat in the waiting room, it would be a while. He got up and told the nurse "I'd rather die at home." How sad is this??? When I lived "up North", I had a bout of severe chest pain. I went to our ECC and they took me right in. This is the way it should be with chest pain. I also noticed that nobody at TVRH ECC offers to get a wheelchair for those in need. I watched a man, who could barely walk, drag himself into the ECC at TVRH and not one person offered him assistance. Again, up North, the ECC staff would have gotten a wheelchair and assisted him. I cannot believe the lack of care here.

[billethkid]

What TVRH calls triage is in no way shape or form or intent, triage.

From recent personal experience the so called male nurses that were pretending to do triage were a disgrace to the profession. One was eating his subway sandwich while typing in my information.

I had a severe hand injury and was bleeding and they never asked to see the wound.
They said they would have to put in an IV but that I would still have to sit in the waiting room. When I asked how long they sort a chuckled at each other. They said there were people out there that had been there for two hours or more. I said I did not care I was in pain and bleeding. They could not assure me I would see a doctor that night.

I asked them both for their names. Gave them my assessment of their incompetence and that that were an insult to nurses. They said I would have to sign a release. I told them I was about as likely to sign that release as they were at assuring me to see a doctor.

Then left.

Aquick search of Monroe and Ocala Regional netted me with info there was a hand surgeon on call at Ocala Regional Trauma Center. I walked in, signed in their computerized kiosk, and was in with their triage office in less than 5 minutes....real triage nurses doing nursing and caring for patients....I was admitted nad in surgery the next morning.

In the future there is little risk to one's health safety by going to Ocala Regional or Monroe Community.

Like some have a do not resusitate document....we have do not take to TVRH under any circumstances.

And yes I did write a detailed letter to the board of the hospital.....it has to be obvious to them they have a problem. It is also obvious by reading the posts over the years that nothing has ever been done.

[RickeyD]

Rather than calling this The Villages regional hospital ( in a disparaging way ) it should be referred to as Central Florida Health at The Villages. CFH is simply licensed to use the TV trademark.

[mgwarden]

I have had many occasions to need and take advantage of the Villages hospital ER over the years. Once for myself, several times for my husband, and a couple of times with a visiting friend. We have always received excellent care and are very grateful to the staff there for doing everything they could possibly do to help us. I would love to see more posts from those who had positive experiences, and there are many of us.

[Vladimir]

What TVRH calls triage is in no way shape or form or intent, triage.

From recent personal experience the so called male nurses that were pretending to do triage were a disgrace to the profession. One was eating his subway sandwich while typing in my information.

I had a severe hand injury and was bleeding and they never asked to see the wound.
They said they would have to put in an IV but that I would still have to sit in the waiting room. When I asked how long they sort a chuckled at each other. They said there were people out there that had been there for two hours or more. I said I did not care I was in pain and bleeding. They could not assure me I would see a doctor that night.

I asked them both for their names. Gave them my assessment of their incompetence and that that were an insult to nurses. They said I would have to sign a release. I told them I was about as likely to sign that release as they were at assuring me to see a doctor.

Then left.

Aquick search of Monroe and Ocala Regional netted me with info there was a hand surgeon on call at Ocala Regional Trauma Center. I walked in, signed in their computerized kiosk, and was in with their triage office in less than 5 minutes....real triage nurses doing nursing and caring for patients....I was admitted nad in surgery the next morning.

In the future there is little risk to one's health safety by going to Ocala Regional or Monroe Community.

Like some have a do not resusitate document....we have do not take to TVRH under any circumstances.

And yes I did write a detailed letter to the board of the hospital.....it has to be obvious to them they have a problem. It is also obvious by reading the posts over the years that nothing has ever been done.

You are so right.

A few months after moving here I tore my achilles tendon over the weekend and drove myself to TVRH and hobbled in to the ER. After waiting 15 minutes I could see this place would not help me and learned it could be a 24 hour wait. Hobbled back out and went to an urgent care facility that did xrays, gave me a diagnosis and stabilized my foot until I could see an orthopedic surgeon on Monday.

Now that I know better, in retrospect, I should have gone to Ocala Regional who would have taken care of my problem right away as they are equipped to handle emergency and trauma cases. I have gone to Ocala a few times for other health care issues and would never again set foot in TVRH. Another excellent facility is Shands in Gainseville

[jojo]

I have taken my mother to the ER twice in the last six months. In both cases we were immediately triaged and taken back to a room. The care could not have been better. I do volunteer at the hospital and as part of my job interview patients about their care on the floor and I also ask if they came through the ER how that experience was. It is actually rare for me to hear horror stories. There are periods when the ER is full or in diversion in which some people are not immediately treated. I have volunteered for over a year and have seen a steady improvement in the ratings folks give the ER. The ratings on the floor are nearly all excellent - folks get good nursing care. I would not hesitate to go to the Villages ER if I didn't have need for a full trauma center. This post is not intended to disparage the negative encounters some folks have had, but to relay other experiences.

[ceguider]

My wife and I are new Villagers. We thought it an advantage to be near TVRH - and now I'm quite concerned. Why wouldn't the Management poll all visitors / patients in regard to their treatment ? This sounds like the VA system. Absolutely no excuse for less than excellent service and patient treatment. If not, heads should roll ! Charles Gallup - Village of Santo Domingo

[FancyNancy]

I went to TV ER with a wildly erratic heart rate and tightness in my chest. It took close to two hours before I was even triaged and given an EKG. The tech confirmed my heart rate was "all over the place" but wouldn't tell me more. Then we sat in the waiting room for another two-three hours. They had no answers as to how they prioritize the patients they see. In most hospitals if you come in with chest pain you are immediately seen. Someone said things would be even slower because they were changing shifts. We got disgusted and left.

[Bonny]

I went to TV ER with a wildly erratic heart rate and tightness in my chest. It took close to two hours before I was even triaged and given an EKG. The tech confirmed my heart rate was "all over the place" but wouldn't tell me more. Then we sat in the waiting room for another two-three hours. They had no answers as to how they prioritize the patients they see. In most hospitals if you come in with chest pain you are immediately seen. Someone said things would be even slower because they were changing shifts. We got disgusted and left.
You say your heart rate was all over the place and you should have been taken immediately yet then you say you got disgusted and left. Obviously this was not an emergency case even for you if you were okay to just leave. :shrug:

[SALYBOW]

Since most of the problems occur in the ER, why not go to their Urgent Care or to any urgent care, If you need to be admitted, they can get it done?

[jnieman]

My father in law was having chest pain and went to TVRH. He was triaged and told to have a seat in the waiting room, it would be a while. He got up and told the nurse "I'd rather die at home." How sad is this??? When I lived "up North", I had a bout of severe chest pain. I went to our ECC and they took me right in. This is the way it should be with chest pain. I also noticed that nobody at TVRH ECC offers to get a wheelchair for those in need. I watched a man, who could barely walk, drag himself into the ECC at TVRH and not one person offered him assistance. Again, up North, the ECC staff would have gotten a wheelchair and assisted him. I cannot believe the lack of care here.

Yes when I was there sick as a dog with food poisoning I sat and sat and finally when I went back I had to walk the long hallways with the orderly about 20 steps ahead of me. Finally I got his attention and asked for a chair.

[ilvgolf]

My friend was taken to the ER the other night by ambulance. I followed in my car because her husband couldn't go for medical reasons. She laid there in such pain for about an hour before a doctor came in. When he did he said they were going to do a CAT scan. After the scan, he told her he thought she had Chronen's disease. When her GI doctor came in, he said, no, she doesn't have Chronen's disease. Also, was told that they only had two doctors in the ER in the evening. About 15 people were in the waiting room when we got there (I had to stay there until they finished getting her in bed). About 4:15 I saw a young man who had been in the waiting room when I got there just being released. What a joke that place is.

[Bonny]

My friend was taken to the ER the other night by ambulance. I followed in my car because her husband couldn't go for medical reasons. She laid there in such pain for about an hour before a doctor came in. When he did he said they were going to do a CAT scan. After the scan, he told her he thought she had Chronen's disease. When her GI doctor came in, he said, no, she doesn't have Chronen's disease. Also, was told that they only had two doctors in the ER in the evening. About 15 people were in the waiting room when we got there (I had to stay there until they finished getting her in bed). About 4:15 I saw a young man who had been in the waiting room when I got there just being released. What a joke that place is.
This happens all over in most all hospitals. Our friend experience a similar situation in Leesburg last Wednesday.

[rivaridger1]

No, as evidenced by these posts, as well as previous posts, The Village Hospital ER is uniquely horrible. I've personally experienced the tender mercies dispensed there more then once. Never again. Since both TVH and Leesburg are under the same management, it sounds as if Leesburg, based on this last post, is being dragged down to the same miserable level.

[golfing eagles]

No, as evidenced by these posts, as well as previous posts, The Village Hospital ER is uniquely horrible. I've personally experienced the tender mercies dispensed there more then once. Never again. Since both TVH and Leesburg are under the same management, it sounds as if Leesburg, based on this last post, is being dragged down to the same miserable level.

The Village Hospital ER is uniquely horrible.

You have no idea. Kings County ER in Brooklyn---we averaged about 5-6 gunshot wounds and 8-9 stabbings each night. There were 2 trauma OR's just off the ER that were in use 24/7. The waiting room consisted of church pews, 2 wide and 16 rows deep, yet people were sitting on the floor. The average wait if you didn't have a critical condition was 17 hours. The ER docs spoken very little English, and were usually busy studying for some FMG exam. As a 4th year medical student, I basically ran whatever section of the ER I was in. Sound bad?---Not really, since it was 10 times better than Methodist Hospital or Brooklyn-Cumberland
The main problem at TVRH ER is inefficiency. It would take a good ER director less than a month to straighten out the problems I saw there, including some personnel changes. The one time my wife was there, it was medium busy. She had to stay an hour or so on a stretcher in the hallway, but they started all the lab tests and CT scan. She was admitted and in her room in less than 5 hours. The nursing care on the floor was excellent, as was her hospitalist. Again, and I've said it before, TVRH has 37,000 ER visits each year---where would everyone go without it? And what would the other local hospital ERs look like with that additional load?
As far as all the anecdotal horror stories that get posted on this site go, I'm sure the people relating them believe that is what happened, but many of them make no medical sense whatsoever. And with all due respect, like Judge Judy says, "If it doesn't make sense, then it isn't true"

[skip0358]

If TVH ER is really that terrible why do SO many people still use it? Guess because there are people with no insurance that go there because they have to be treated. So if you have insurance why not try the Urgent Cares or a Hospital outside of this group. See how that works out for you. Remember also IF you call an Ambulance you will be going to either TV or Leesburg unless it's a Trauma Alert. Myself I use Urgent Cares if at all possible. If I go to the ER I know it's going to be a long wait. As I said in earlier posts having ridden with EMS I know it's the same up North where I was.

[golfing eagles]

If TVH ER is really that terrible why do SO many people still use it? Guess because there are people with no insurance that go there because they have to be treated. So if you have insurance why not try the Urgent Cares or a Hospital outside of this group. See how that works out for you. Remember also IF you call an Ambulance you will be going to either TV or Leesburg unless it's a Trauma Alert. Myself I use Urgent Cares if at all possible. If I go to the ER I know it's going to be a long wait. As I said in earlier posts having ridden with EMS I know it's the same up North where I was.

I doubt that's the reason. ALL hospital ERs are required to see patients that show up, even if they don't have insurance. But in this 55+ community, I'm sure a majority of patients have Medicare, and those under 65 are very likely to be insured given the affluence of TV. There may be some people from Lady Lake/Summerville that use TVRH, but I'd bet the majority of patients are Villagers. So why so busy---just the age of the population, and the seasonal influx of an additional 40,000 in the winter. The other reason is simply staffing, which may or may not be adequate.

[Madelaine Amee]

We have used TV hospital on several occasions and have had no real problems. The otherhalf has had two major surgeries there and I have had one. The surgical care was exceptional, the nursing staff went above and beyond to care for us. The wait in the ER is somewhat longer than one wants to sit and wait, but with a roomful of aging patients what can you expect.

If it is so bad there, people, go somewhere else! Drive half an hour to Ocala, drive half an hour to Leesburg or Waterman's, you have other choices. The fewer people who use this beautiful hospital, the less the wait time will be for those of us who appreciate having a hospital ten minutes from home. My local hospital used to be Beth Israel in Boston - have you ever seen a major hospital ER, it is bedlam, makes ours look like a walk in the park.

If, like me, you ever get a call at midnight saying your husband's diagnosis is cancer and he needs you ..... you will be damned glad you have a hospital ten minutes away where you can come and go 24/7!

[Hummintwo]

My neighbor just mentioned to me that she went to Ocala Regional location on Hwy 441 here in the Villages Area. She said they are located below a billboard sign about their service. Within 10 minutes she was taken by staff to an examination room and the finger surgery she needed was address. I myself entered the ER with a neighbor because I was so seriously ill and I left after two hours. Initial information was taken. I returned to the ER by ambulance two days later and received excellent care for eight days. I understand the frustration and happy to know your wife found the care and healing she needed.

[NotGolfer]

Think of the hospital here....it's slammed during "high season" and less so in the other months. Just how would you manage it if you were put in charge??? I've had 3 experiences in the ER and my other half one each--in TVRH and LRH. ALL went fine...though the waits were long. Have you ever counted the ambulances that come in the que?? While there the last time we observed a drug over-dose, a stroke and heart attack victim (one of each) and that's only what we actually observed. We're blessed to have so many options in our area to choose from but I'd just bet each one experiences the "awful" reports to OP and others like him report. I doubt in a large city hospital you'd be ushered right in and seen immediately neither. The hospital here serves more than villagers...we live in an area with several communities. Go anywhere in this area and the general population have grey hair...so add that to what the assessments of the hospital. It's still like a smaller town facility with the expectations and issues of a much larger community.

[FancyNancy]

You say your heart rate was all over the place and you should have been taken immediately yet then you say you got disgusted and left. Obviously this was not an emergency case even for you if you were okay to just leave. :shrug:

Bonny, you are right, I should have explained more thoroughly. After six hours my heart rate suddenly went back into a normal rhythm. It came on suddenly and left suddenly. I went to the doctor the next day and they are putting me on a holter monitor. Sorry about that.

[sterlingcnslts]

We had similar experience. Waited 4 hours only to be told they could not do anything for my wife except give a referral. Then billed the insurance for $1500. I would never voluntarily use this ER again.

[rubicon]

I mean I simply can't believe what is being said here. Why I have read practically everyday since moving here 10 years ago in the Daily Sun's two-three page coverage of the high quality health care facilities and continuing improvement in the Hospital and you people are still complaining.

Are you saying the Daily Sun's news articles about health care in TV isn't what they purport it to be?
Blasphemy !:D:D:D:D

[John_W]

If everyone who has a complaint about TV Hospital would take that complaint to the state, something might be done.

Check out this webpage and maybe get some kind of action.

AHCA: Complaint Administration Unit (http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Field_Ops/CAU.shtml)

[billethkid]

I mean I simply can't believe what is being said here. Why I have read practically everyday since moving here 10 years ago in the Daily Sun's two-three page coverage of the high quality health care facilities and continuing improvement in the Hospital and you people are still complaining.

Are you saying the Daily Sun's news articles about health care in TV isn't what they purport it to be?
Blasphemy !:D:D:D:D

See if they will do an article on the ER.
No way that will ever be sanctioned/allowed.

[NYGUY]

....Are you saying the Daily Sun's news articles about health care in TV isn't what they purport it to be?
Blasphemy !:D:D:D:D

LOL....Praise The Lord!!

[navair4me]

these comments regarding the local ER do not instill me with confidence! I am a retired R.N. with many years worked in various Emergency Departments so I understand that non-urgent things have to wait for the more critical patients but when my son and his wife were visiting they ended up in the ER at T.V. one night for a non-emergent but extremely painful ear infection...arrived at 2 a.m. and were told "it will be a while" and eventually did get seen but not until well after 8 a.m. They were as patient as can be expected but very frustrated when they later learned that there was a physician on board but they didn't wake him up unless it was a bonafide emergency and nobody was seen until 8 a.m. when the morning staff arrived. Again, not being seen immediately for ear pain (which was eventually diagnosed as a rip roaring infection) is understandable as it really wasn't emergent but when they initially arrived they should have been told what to expect (e.g. wait for the day crew to begin in 5 or 6 hours)

After hearing other unsettling stories from neighbors who experienced the ER care first hand, I have decided that we will be going to Leesburg for any emergency problems. When my neighbor was experiencing chest pain, the paramedics told them that it would take the same amount of time to get from our neighborhood to Leesburg as it would to TV so if the distance/travel time is the same and the quality of care at Leesburg is that much better that makes Leesburg a "no brainer" decision for our family.

[starflyte1]

Isn't leesburg under same management as TV?

[Jazzcat]

I was released yesterday from Leesburg after a 3 day stay in the hospital and I have nothing but good things to say about them. I was transported by Lake EMS after a fall at home. My ankle was clearly broken and needed surgical repair. When we arrived at the hospital, there were many people on beds in the hallways because the ER was extremely busy. However, within minutes of my arrival I was taken into a room, seen by a doctor, had xrays, and sedation while they temporarily set my broken ankle. A few hours later I was taken to my room. I had surgery on Sunday and was released the following day. The entire experience was positive. I can't say enough good things about the wonderful doctors and nurses who took care of me. My room was very clean and comfortable, and the food was, believe it or not, very good!
With all the negative reviews here, I felt it imperative that I speak out in favor of the wonderful care I receive there.

[Radioman41]

We live in Lake Deaton and it quicker for us to get to the hospital in Leesburg than to The Villages Hospital.

[RickeyD]

We live in Lake Deaton and it quicker for us to get to the hospital in Leesburg than to The Villages Hospital.



As per Mapquest, you are indubitably correct !

[ronsroni]

Someone posted about King's County and the harrowing cases and pace. To assume that what WE experience in TV ER is really NOT happening is pathetic. I, for one, have been a nurse for 43 years. I worked at Columbia Presbyterian-Babies Hospital, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish; all 3 NY hospitals. I can assess the doings of most places I experience FIRSTHAND. While we may be aging here in TV, however, don't let the hair kid you. I can still run circles around many new grads. If something does not make medical sense; is that the point being made? Confounded might be the word to reach for.
I simply feel that diminishing our firsthand experiences is making me wonder if we should genuflect and do the 'we are not worthy' wave.

[golfing eagles]

Someone posted about King's County and the harrowing cases and pace. To assume that what WE experience in TV ER is really NOT happening is pathetic. I, for one, have been a nurse for 43 years. I worked at Columbia Presbyterian-Babies Hospital, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish; all 3 NY hospitals. I can assess the doings of most places I experience FIRSTHAND. While we may be aging here in TV, however, don't let the hair kid you. I can still run circles around many new grads. If something does not make medical sense; is that the point being made? Confounded might be the word to reach for.
I simply feel that diminishing our firsthand experiences is making me wonder if we should genuflect and do the 'we are not worthy' wave.

I wasn't going to respond to your post, but I changed my mind. It was I who made the reference to Kings County.

First, thank you for 43 years of service to the community as a nurse; I can tell from your wording that you are a good nurse as well. As you know, many younger nurses, especially the good ones, find alternative career paths in the pharmaceutical or insurance industries, or go on to become a NP, or earn administrative positions. It takes special dedication to hang in there for 43 years. I too spent time at Columbia-New York Hospital. I was at LIJ for a time and my brother was a patient there as well. I spent time at North Shore, and in fact I was born at that hospital, so we share many firsthand experiences. We may have even run into each other 35 years ago or so. I've also had the "joy" of running Staten Island University Hospital ER on occasion.

Perhaps I failed to make my point clearly in my post. Certainly you don't think I believe everyone who goes to TVRH ER has a great experience, and then some lie about it. I was not diminishing anyone's experience. Likewise, I doubt you believe every word that people post about the ER on TOTV. This ER has problems, but they are very fixable. However, there are SOME posts that are so bizarre that they appear to lack credibility.
How many times have you tried to explain something to a patient and family and can literally see the exact moment they shut down and stop listening? I'm sure you learned early on to avoid the words "cancer" and "Alzheimer's", since at that point all communication, all memory, and all judgement goes out the window and emotion takes over. Likewise, there is extreme frustration from waiting in an ER, and stress and fear of the unknown, so not all recollections are entirely accurate. Just ask any detective what they get when interviewing "eyewitnesses"; I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

There are only about a dozen posts over the last 2 years that seem incredible, so let's play a game with the one I found most egregious. I'll be the ER director and you'll be the ER charge nurse, a position you may have held in your career, About a year ago a OP stated that her 90 year old mother was brought to TVRH ER with a fractured hip and waited 22 hours to be seen by a doctor and get pain medication. What do you think? Do you really believe that is 100% accurate? Given your 43 years of experience. I know you don't believe it either.

So here we are, running the ER when EMS brings this 90 year old in. What happens first--they want to give report to a nurse, who starts a chart (paper or electronic), and points to a room to put the patient in (or the hallway if they are all full). So EMS tells the nurse they have a 90 year old woman unable to ambulate, pain in her left hip, and an externally rotated left leg (not too hard to diagnose). As charge nurse, how long do you tolerate no one from the nursing staff seeing the patient and at least getting vitals and doing a pain assessment? 5 min, 10 min, 15? At some point you would probably go in and do it yourself, as I'm sure you have. I have. How long would you tolerate the physician not seeing the patient and getting x ray/lab ordered and pain meds administered? Same? I wouldn't tolerate it and likewise, I'd go do it myself if no one else did. I've seen similar patients being wheeled in with pain and administered fentanyl right on the stretcher. You've probably seen that as well. How long would I wait before an orthopedist sees the patient? An hour, maybe.
Did that OP have a wait that she considered unacceptable? Probably. But do you honestly believe it was 22 hours??? I'd guess that nationwide about 1/2 of the patients who come in with the same hip fx are in the OR before 22 hours.
I'm not sure why you chose to use the words "pathetic" and "not worthy", since it is pretty certain we are on the same page on this.

[Opmoochler]

I have not been following this thread, but have to say that I followed my husband to the ER with what turned out to be an inflamed gall bladder. As they were going out the door with him on the stretcher, the EMTS indicated his heart was fine. Since many of his symptoms mimicked heart issues, I was relieved. Ultimately, he was put through "the system" and was operated on within 10 hours of arriving in the ER. It was not a critical situation. He's almost 80 and there were a few minor complications necessitating his admission for a couple of days, but altogether, we feel that the Drs and entire staff were extremely thorough and very attentive during his stay. Did I breathe down their necks? Of course, but this is an incredibly busy time of year, and everyone remained helpful and pleasant, despite my incessant questions.

[billethkid]

I have not been following this thread, but have to say that I followed my husband to the ER with what turned out to be an inflamed gall bladder. As they were going out the door with him on the stretcher, the EMTS indicated his heart was fine. Since many of his symptoms mimicked heart issues, I was relieved. Ultimately, he was put through "the system" and was operated on within 10 hours of arriving in the ER. It was not a critical situation. He's almost 80 and there were a few minor complications necessitating his admission for a couple of days, but altogether, we feel that the Drs and entire staff were extremely thorough and very attentive during his stay. Did I breathe down their necks? Of course, but this is an incredibly busy time of year, and everyone remained helpful and pleasant, despite my incessant questions.

There is a big difference between how the rest of the hospital operates and the ER.

As noted in several post incuding mine the ER is a complete out of control disaster. Continuing that way seems like for years. How does that happen? Allowed?

[rubicon]

If TVH ER is really that terrible why do SO many people still use it? Guess because there are people with no insurance that go there because they have to be treated. So if you have insurance why not try the Urgent Cares or a Hospital outside of this group. See how that works out for you. Remember also IF you call an Ambulance you will be going to either TV or Leesburg unless it's a Trauma Alert. Myself I use Urgent Cares if at all possible. If I go to the ER I know it's going to be a long wait. As I said in earlier posts having ridden with EMS I know it's the same up North where I was.

skip: this same topic (TVERH) has been repeated so many times since I first came on TOTV. I said back then that one look around and I signed onto Munroe.

You suggest that people ought to try their urgent Care. I suggested in one thread that the ER ought to have a nurse pre-screen patients and those needing only urgent care be offered the opportunity to go to urgent care.

and in every thread some poster suggest tell management. If after all these years and all the advertising in the Daily Sun, POA, VHA management is unaware then they are more incompetent then the people running the ER.

What I am saying is the ER is a failure because of management. Indeed there can be more hair raising nights then others but planning is the key.
I worked in insurance we had plans in place for catastrophes. We knew we had to get in and get out fast to meet people's needs.

The problems associated with The Villages Hospital fall on the Board of Directors and management . I feel badly for the employees

[dbussone]

Isn't leesburg under same management as TV?



Yes.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[graciegirl]

Yes.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I respect those who have spent their lives in the medical profession who post on this forum. I know they have medical knowledge and years of experience that none of us could come close to. I thank them for their service and for their helpful explanations.

Very few places must deal with the huge increase in population that stay here long enough to get really sick before they go to emergency.

STILL Triage is for the VERY ill, those who are not breathing well, or bleeding or having a cardiac emergency. You may be in terrible, AWFUL pain, but they will take someone who is in danger of death before you.

Perhaps people who stay three months every year should establish themselves with a physician here, so that small things don't become big things. We did just that when we came down for just the season. Just a thought. An ounce of prevention...

[Hancle704]

It was not too long ago that TVRH opened an Urgent Care Office in the building on the east side of Hwy 27/441. They have since moved it to the first floor of the hospital. Maybe it is time for management to consider turning it into a 24/7 facility to help relieve the burden on the hospital's emergency department, especially during peak season.

As things stand now not everyone who arrives at the hospital is transported by ambulance or requires the services of the ED.

[golfing eagles]

skip:

What I am saying is the ER is a failure because of management. Indeed there can be more hair raising nights then others but planning is the key.
I worked in insurance we had plans in place for catastrophes. We knew we had to get in and get out fast to meet people's needs.

The problems associated with The Villages Hospital fall on the Board of Directors and management . I feel badly for the employees

I agree with you to a point, the failure of management is in not CORRECTING the problem. The board is not down in the ER doing the work, but they are responsible for oversight
Each ER seems to have it's own "culture", and as someone put it, I have had "firsthand" experience with 20 or 30 of them. If the people in charge are laid back and have low expectations, it carries through all the staff. Sometimes there are people there for 20 or 30 years that defacto run the show THEIR way, and are reticent to change. This problem came up when I ran the QA committee, was chief of staff and sat on the board, so here is what we did:

1) We designated 5 rooms as fast track/urgent care with a good NP in charge and triaged appropriate cases in that direction.

2) We looked at ambulance arrivals. There are people who call an ambulance for no good reason at all. About 85% of this was because car service cost $5 but the ambulance was free (to THEM, $800 for the taxpayer to fork up). The other 15% was due to the belief they could bypass the waiting room. So we started a policy that non-emergent ambulance arrivals would be triaged to the WAITING ROOM, and usually to urgent care from there, thus removing some incentive.

3) Often there are patients who are getting admitted, but were waiting to be seen by the hospitalist or attending. We made a policy that the attending had 30 minutes to see the patient in the ER, otherwise they would be sent to their floor with just a few holding orders. The floor nurses would bug them from there. This freed up many ER rooms to move patients along.

4) We overrode a nursing policy that stated no patient would be accepted to a floor for 45 min before and after a shift change. This was 4 1/2 hours each day during which no patient could be moved out of the ER. This was accomplished by staggering shifts and mixing in 12 hour shifts for those who wanted them

5) We started much more extensive tracking of ER times, from triage to nursing assessment, physician contact, lab and x-ray being performed and admitting physician writing orders. We put a big LED TV over the ER desk with the initials of each patient in each room, their preliminary diagnosis, and the arrival time. Any time more than 25 minutes passed between steps that room was highlighted

6) we put in loud and annoying call bells in each ER room that could only be turned off from within the room

7) we gave out patient satisfaction forms to every patient and family asking them to be explicit about their experience

8) We identified the slowest and laziest worker on each shift and found them a more appropriate position elsewhere. The message was clearly sent.

Bottom line, within 4 months waiting time was cut in half and was less than the national average, and patient satisfaction went from 4.6 to 8.9 (out of 10).

So it can be done. TVRH ER may have some slightly different problems, but wait time everywhere is related to volume, staffing, and patient flow. So why hasn't this problem been addressed long ago, that's the real question.

[skip0358]

There is a NEW 24 hour ER on right hand side of 441 as your heading north just before Marion Market. Might want to give them a try.

[dbussone]

It was not too long ago that TVRH opened an Urgent Care Office in the building on the east side of Hwy 27/441. They have since moved it to the first floor of the hospital. Maybe it is time for management to consider turning it into a 24/7 facility to help relieve the burden on the hospital's emergency department, especially during peak season.

As things stand now not everyone who arrives at the hospital is transported by ambulance or requires the services of the ED.



Many well run ERs do exactly what you are suggesting - having an urgent care operation in, or close to, the ER. They typically operate 24/7 and function to fast track non-urgent patients.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dbussone]

I agree with you to a point, the failure of management is in not CORRECTING the problem. The board is not down in the ER doing the work, but they are responsible for oversight

Each ER seems to have it's own "culture", and as someone put it, I have had "firsthand" experience with 20 or 30 of them. If the people in charge are laid back and have low expectations, it carries through all the staff. Sometimes there are people there for 20 or 30 years that defacto run the show THEIR way, and are reticent to change. This problem came up when I ran the QA committee, was chief of staff and sat on the board, so here is what we did:



1) We designated 5 rooms as fast track/urgent care with a good NP in charge and triaged appropriate cases in that direction.



2) We looked at ambulance arrivals. There are people who call an ambulance for no good reason at all. About 85% of this was because car service cost $5 but the ambulance was free (to THEM, $800 for the taxpayer to fork up). The other 15% was due to the belief they could bypass the waiting room. So we started a policy that non-emergent ambulance arrivals would be triaged to the WAITING ROOM, and usually to urgent care from there, thus removing some incentive.



3) Often there are patients who are getting admitted, but were waiting to be seen by the hospitalist or attending. We made a policy that the attending had 30 minutes to see the patient in the ER, otherwise they would be sent to their floor with just a few holding orders. The floor nurses would bug them from there. This freed up many ER rooms to move patients along.



4) We overrode a nursing policy that stated no patient would be accepted to a floor for 45 min before and after a shift change. This was 4 1/2 hours each day during which no patient could be moved out of the ER. This was accomplished by staggering shifts and mixing in 12 hour shifts for those who wanted them



5) We started much more extensive tracking of ER times, from triage to nursing assessment, physician contact, lab and x-ray being performed and admitting physician writing orders. We put a big LED TV over the ER desk with the initials of each patient in each room, their preliminary diagnosis, and the arrival time. Any time more than 25 minutes passed between steps that room was highlighted



6) we put in loud and annoying call bells in each ER room that could only be turned off from within the room



7) we gave out patient satisfaction forms to every patient and family asking them to be explicit about their experience



8) We identified the slowest and laziest worker on each shift and found them a more appropriate position elsewhere. The message was clearly sent.



Bottom line, within 4 months waiting time was cut in half and was less than the national average, and patient satisfaction went from 4.6 to 8.9 (out of 10).



So it can be done. TVRH ER may have some slightly different problems, but wait time everywhere is related to volume, staffing, and patient flow. So why hasn't this problem been addressed long ago, that's the real question.



GolfingEagles has just noted many suggestions that really can make a difference in improving ER performance.

I'll add another. In 4 or 5 poorly performing ERs, I've changed out the group of physicians providing care in an ER. Physicians who are lazy or have a poor attitude bleed these traits to the entire department. A change in a physician, or the entire group of physicians, is sometimes necessary and can generate a huge performance boost.

My observations tell me TVRH has several problems in this area, including not properly matching patient influx and physician staffing. Physician attitudes are another. The ER physicians do not seem to be patient oriented, preferring to spend most of their time at a nurses station rather than with patients. Just my observations.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[golfing eagles]

GolfingEagles has just noted many suggestions that really can make a difference in improving ER performance.

I'll add another. In 4 or 5 poorly performing ERs, I've changed out the group of physicians providing care in an ER. Physicians who are lazy or have a poor attitude bleed these traits to the entire department. A change in a physician, or the entire group of physicians, is sometimes necessary and can generate a huge performance boost.

My observations tell me TVRH has several problems in this area, including not properly matching patient influx and physician staffing. Physician attitudes are another. The ER physicians do not seem to be patient oriented, preferring to spend most of their time at a nurses station rather than with patients. Just my observations.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I agree with you, and saw the same thing when my wife was there. I just don't know if a complete housecleaning is needed. What type of physician ER staffing currently exists? Are they hospital employees or a subcontracted group?
We didn't have this problem back in 2001 since we had a stable ER physician staff that was there 20 years. But 10 years later, most of them were gone, and we looked into a national staffing group and eventually contracted with one. The problem is that the presentation is usually given by a Harvard graduate, trained at Mass General, with a supposed staff of all American University trained ER docs. It starts off that way, but 3-6 months later, one by one, those docs are replaced with FMGs, many who have yet to master English as a second language. I suspect there is a physician recruitment/retention problem in Central Florida.

[ortman118]

We also had a horrible experience at the ER. In March of last year I took my husband who was in great pain from a kidneystone to the ER around 6PM. He was triaged and then we sat with a plastic bucket for his vomiting for 4 hours in the waiting room. We left and went home with him never being seen and after others there told us they had been waiting 8 hours. He passed the kidney stone at home later that night. We received a bill for $392.40. Same explanation given to us as you. When we complained about the extensive wait the response was "well we are pretty busy during snowbird season". So unless we have an emergency during off season we will head to Leesburg ER. It really galls me to read the accolades in the newspaper on how great the ER is.

[golfing eagles]

We also had a horrible experience at the ER. In March of last year I took my husband who was in great pain from a kidneystone to the ER around 6PM. He was triaged and then we sat with a plastic bucket for his vomiting for 4 hours in the waiting room. We left and went home with him never being seen and after others there told us they had been waiting 8 hours. He passed the kidney stone at home later that night. We received a bill for $392.40. Same explanation given to us as you. When we complained about the extensive wait the response was "well we are pretty busy during snowbird season". So unless we have an emergency during off season we will head to Leesburg ER. It really galls me to read the accolades in the newspaper on how great the ER is.

And there is just no excuse for that. Just get him in a room, start an IV, get a urine and abdominal flat plate, and shoot him up with IV Zofran and morphine. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.
I do appreciate the staffing issues that arise when the service population goes from 80,000 to 130,000 virtually overnight, but that is administration's problem, it shouldn't be the patient's. If the ER rooms are backed up because of patients waiting to go to a floor, implement the suggestions I made above.
I agree with Db, there may be a laziness factor in play. An ER room filled with a patient just waiting to go upstairs is almost no work; putting a new patient in there is a lot of work. Also, ER staff tend to have a shift mentality, if they can make it to next shift it's not their problem any more. That needs to change.
Also this is the 3rd or 4th post about patients sitting in the waiting room and given a bucket to vomit into. Horrible. Administration needs to realize that right or wrong, the ER is the "face" of the hospital to most of the community. I would never tolerate that in any ER I was running, the nice nurse who posted above wouldn't tolerate it, and I don't think the patient population should either. No one in pain EVER wants to hear "we're busy".

[NotGolfer]

I wonder "IF" everyone whose had a bad experience or less than good, who have posted here all e-mail the hospital (or snailmail) and call the administration along with that with their complaints "IF" they'd begin making changes. I know that "some" of the medical staff at the ER are "traveling" contracted employees and don't even live in this area. This I know from personal contact/experience of being both in the ER and later admitted to a room on the floor.

I also know that in the past 6 to 8 mo. TVRH has changed out their procedure of patients. Unless it's an extreme emergency...even if brought in via ambulance...they will send their patients out to the waiting room. I agree this probably isn't the best way of doing things. The waiting room is right next to the front door with windows and it's not a great 1st impression (someone else stated this already). How about having the waiting-room on the other side, separate from the front entry??

[golfing eagles]

I wonder "IF" everyone whose had a bad experience or less than good, who have posted here all e-mail the hospital (or snailmail) and call the administration along with that with their complaints "IF" they'd begin making changes. I know that "some" of the medical staff at the ER are "traveling" contracted employees and don't even live in this area. This I know from personal contact/experience of being both in the ER and later admitted to a room on the floor.

I also know that in the past 6 to 8 mo. TVRH has changed out their procedure of patients. Unless it's an extreme emergency...even if brought in via ambulance...they will send their patients out to the waiting room. I agree this probably isn't the best way of doing things. The waiting room is right next to the front door with windows and it's not a great 1st impression (someone else stated this already). How about having the waiting-room on the other side, separate from the front entry??

Actually, it would be better to fix the problems and put their well run ER on display in the window than simply hide the problems in a back room. The "traveling" doctors are what is called locum tenens, usually a 3 month contract in a given location. Not the best in general, no roots in the community, and very costly since they are hired through a third party which bills them out at double or triple to going rate. Also, sending everything but dire emergencies to the waiting room is too much of a good thing. They need to send sore throats, earaches, rashes, toothaches and the like there, or to urgent care, but not people in significant pain, vomiting into a bucket and certainly not chest pain as someone posted about 6 months ago. Again, it makes me believe the ER exam rooms are blocked by patients awaiting admission or extremely slow assessments in the ER. As far as administration goes, I can't believe they are unaware of the problems, but likewise I can't believe they don't know how to fix them. I'm afraid that sooner or later they are going to have a medical disaster (which usually involves an illegal immigrant pregnant woman, just as it did in Texas prior to the COBRA act of 1997) that gains media attention and then they'll have real problems

[dbussone]

And there is just no excuse for that. Just get him in a room, start an IV, get a urine and abdominal flat plate, and shoot him up with IV Zofran and morphine. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.

I do appreciate the staffing issues that arise when the service population goes from 80,000 to 130,000 virtually overnight, but that is administration's problem, it shouldn't be the patient's. If the ER rooms are backed up because of patients waiting to go to a floor, implement the suggestions I made above.

I agree with Db, there may be a laziness factor in play. An ER room filled with a patient just waiting to go upstairs is almost no work; putting a new patient in there is a lot of work. Also, ER staff tend to have a shift mentality, if they can make it to next shift it's not their problem any more. That needs to change.

Also this is the 3rd or 4th post about patients sitting in the waiting room and given a bucket to vomit into. Horrible. Administration needs to realize that right or wrong, the ER is the "face" of the hospital to most of the community. I would never tolerate that in any ER I was running, the nice nurse who posted above wouldn't tolerate it, and I don't think the patient population should either. No one in pain EVER wants to hear "we're busy".



Over a couple of years, for visits involving my wife, I have made suggestions to administration about the ER and my perceptions on areas needing improvement. Our personal physician has commented to administration, and my wife's orthopaedist personally talked with the highest level of administration. He was a Chief of Staff at the time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dbussone]

And there is just no excuse for that. Just get him in a room, start an IV, get a urine and abdominal flat plate, and shoot him up with IV Zofran and morphine. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.

I do appreciate the staffing issues that arise when the service population goes from 80,000 to 130,000 virtually overnight, but that is administration's problem, it shouldn't be the patient's. If the ER rooms are backed up because of patients waiting to go to a floor, implement the suggestions I made above.

I agree with Db, there may be a laziness factor in play. An ER room filled with a patient just waiting to go upstairs is almost no work; putting a new patient in there is a lot of work. Also, ER staff tend to have a shift mentality, if they can make it to next shift it's not their problem any more. That needs to change.

Also this is the 3rd or 4th post about patients sitting in the waiting room and given a bucket to vomit into. Horrible. Administration needs to realize that right or wrong, the ER is the "face" of the hospital to most of the community. I would never tolerate that in any ER I was running, the nice nurse who posted above wouldn't tolerate it, and I don't think the patient population should either. No one in pain EVER wants to hear "we're busy".



Remember when the new ER was going to be the solution to all the the problems of the then current ER? I stated then that architecture seldom resolves all those issues. The physicians, IMHO, were the bottleneck at that time and probably remain so.

So, why are patients being dumped into the ER with all the grand new space available? And is the holding area for those waiting for inpatient rooms being used? (Usually this just results in patients being held in the ER longer, as GE has pointed out.)

Current practice in hospital design eliminates the large nursing stations and creates smaller distributed staff work stations for 2-3 people. This keeps docs and staff moving around to keep them closer to patients.

The ER physician group, unless it has changed recently, is based out of the Ft. Lauderdale area. It relies heavily on Locum Tenens physicians. I terminated their contract at one hospital in the late '90s.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dbussone]

Actually, it would be better to fix the problems and put their well run ER on display in the window than simply hide the problems in a back room. The "traveling" doctors are what is called locum tenens, usually a 3 month contract in a given location. Not the best in general, no roots in the community, and very costly since they are hired through a third party which bills them out at double or triple to going rate. Also, sending everything but dire emergencies to the waiting room is too much of a good thing. They need to send sore throats, earaches, rashes, toothaches and the like there, or to urgent care, but not people in significant pain, vomiting into a bucket and certainly not chest pain as someone posted about 6 months ago. Again, it makes me believe the ER exam rooms are blocked by patients awaiting admission or extremely slow assessments in the ER. As far as administration goes, I can't believe they are unaware of the problems, but likewise I can't believe they don't know how to fix them. I'm afraid that sooner or later they are going to have a medical disaster (which usually involves an illegal immigrant pregnant woman, just as it did in Texas prior to the COBRA act of 1997) that gains media attention and then they'll have real problems



[emoji106][emoji106]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[fw102807]

My husband was taken by ambulance to the ER on Sunday for chest pain and he was assessed and treated quickly. From what I could observe the biggest problem there is volume. They had more patients than they had rooms for and some were waiting in the hallway for a room. When he was finally admitted the hospital itself was full and he had to wait 6 hours for a bed. His treatment however was excellent. The nurses were straight out but still gave us wonderful care. Today they told us that they had 4 heart attacks in one day and heart attacks always get moved to the front of the line. I am sure if we had gone in for kidney stones it would have been a different story but that is how it works. Life threatening conditions always go first and in The Villages there is always an abundance.

[Hancle704]

Wife was recently brought to TVRH by ambulance. Waiting room was not too crowded. Brought to room in new part of Emergency Dept Had a great nurse for initial shift. Then she spent over 24 hours in bed in ED before bed became available in Cardiac Section of 4th floor. Meanwhile the crowds built up in ED waiting area to be seen and brought in for tests and treatment. Some are parked on gurneys in hallways as there are no ER beds/Rooms available

So it starts with bottleneck in ED and that spreads. Because there is no staff till next shift or later for rooms.. One thing seems certain, it's bad now and it will be worse in the following years as population increases. Recent additions to hospital have not fixed the problem of inadequate staffing, long waits in waiting room and longer waits to be admitted and brought to room.

[KYDIANA12]

I recently went to the Leesburg ER and was very impressed with their service and care. They followed up with a survey in the mail to see how I ranked their care. I gave them very high marks and would definitely go back there.

[ronsroni]

In most cases of "waiting an eternity", I recognize that 'eternity' can be as short as 20 minutes. That said, when one is in pain; agonizing PAIN', 5 minutes can be an eternity.
Sadly, I honestly can see someone waiting upwards of 15 hours to be evaluated; forget about treated. My dear friend got to TVH-ED after experiencing what he thought were heart attack symptoms. He complained of chest pains upon his arrival there at 10:45PM. He sat in chairs till 11:25PM and was taken back to a room. Clutching at his chest continued and he yelled out for help. He said a Dr????" stuck his head in and said he was sending help.
At 1:45AM, he was visited by a CNA and vitals were done. Pain level at that point was a 7-8. Improved but he was tachy (tachycardia- fast heart rate) and sweating. No IV line. CHEST PAINS, DIAPHORESIS (excessive sweating).
NO O2 was placed. No LABS!!!
At 3:30AM, he got to his feet and headed for the exit. He collapsed in the lobby; passed out.
He was brought back to the room, had a CXR and WAITED till 4:15AM for labs and a room. His temp at that point was 103.8 and climbing. He was taken to the OR at 1PM and had his abscessed gallbladder (never had a symptom before) removed. Shocker here, infection followed. So, to wonder if someone really waited that long' it pains me to say yes, I can believe it. It is terrifying.
I, typically, give time estimates a pass. My time is different from your time in urgent situations sometimes. Horrific care is just that.
I use Santa Barbara United Healthcare and I have been thrilled. Yes, I am very observant and I ask questions. Some folks, especially elders, are trusting of the people who hold their life in their hands. Respect. Tough to change an entire lifes behavior that readily.
I just hope that the care there improves. It will never be a Level 1. It NEEDS improvement. NOMESAYIN??

[PennBF]

It is outrages that yesterday I saw the Dr. for a follow up visit scheduled by the office and I waited 1 1/2 hours to see the Dr. and the visit with the Dr. was at best 10 minutes. There were no emergencies during this period and it was "business as usual".:mornincoffee:

[dbussone]

In most cases of "waiting an eternity", I recognize that 'eternity' can be as short as 20 minutes. That said, when one is in pain; agonizing PAIN', 5 minutes can be an eternity.

Sadly, I honestly can see someone waiting upwards of 15 hours to be evaluated; forget about treated. My dear friend got to TVH-ED after experiencing what he thought were heart attack symptoms. He complained of chest pains upon his arrival there at 10:45PM. He sat in chairs till 11:25PM and was taken back to a room. Clutching at his chest continued and he yelled out for help. He said a Dr????" stuck his head in and said he was sending help.

At 1:45AM, he was visited by a CNA and vitals were done. Pain level at that point was a 7-8. Improved but he was tachy (tachycardia- fast heart rate) and sweating. No IV line. CHEST PAINS, DIAPHORESIS (excessive sweating).

NO O2 was placed. No LABS!!!

At 3:30AM, he got to his feet and headed for the exit. He collapsed in the lobby; passed out.

He was brought back to the room, had a CXR and WAITED till 4:15AM for labs and a room. His temp at that point was 103.8 and climbing. He was taken to the OR at 1PM and had his abscessed gallbladder (never had a symptom before) removed. Shocker here, infection followed. So, to wonder if someone really waited that long' it pains me to say yes, I can believe it. It is terrifying.

I, typically, give time estimates a pass. My time is different from your time in urgent situations sometimes. Horrific care is just that.

I use Santa Barbara United Healthcare and I have been thrilled. Yes, I am very observant and I ask questions. Some folks, especially elders, are trusting of the people who hold their life in their hands. Respect. Tough to change an entire lifes behavior that readily.

I just hope that the care there improves. It will never be a Level 1. It NEEDS improvement. NOMESAYIN??



Another is that your friend should immediately been treated with a cardiac protocol to ascertain whether a heart attack was underway. Any patient presenting with chest pain should become an immediate priority. As an aside, your friend should have called an ambulance to get to the ER. If he was having a cardiac event, he could easily have died on his way to the hospital.

I'm hoping GE sees this and weighs in on your post.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[golfing eagles]

In most cases of "waiting an eternity", I recognize that 'eternity' can be as short as 20 minutes. That said, when one is in pain; agonizing PAIN', 5 minutes can be an eternity.
Sadly, I honestly can see someone waiting upwards of 15 hours to be evaluated; forget about treated. My dear friend got to TVH-ED after experiencing what he thought were heart attack symptoms. He complained of chest pains upon his arrival there at 10:45PM. He sat in chairs till 11:25PM and was taken back to a room. Clutching at his chest continued and he yelled out for help. He said a Dr????" stuck his head in and said he was sending help.
At 1:45AM, he was visited by a CNA and vitals were done. Pain level at that point was a 7-8. Improved but he was tachy (tachycardia- fast heart rate) and sweating. No IV line. CHEST PAINS, DIAPHORESIS (excessive sweating).
NO O2 was placed. No LABS!!!
At 3:30AM, he got to his feet and headed for the exit. He collapsed in the lobby; passed out.
He was brought back to the room, had a CXR and WAITED till 4:15AM for labs and a room. His temp at that point was 103.8 and climbing. He was taken to the OR at 1PM and had his abscessed gallbladder (never had a symptom before) removed. Shocker here, infection followed. So, to wonder if someone really waited that long' it pains me to say yes, I can believe it. It is terrifying.
I, typically, give time estimates a pass. My time is different from your time in urgent situations sometimes. Horrific care is just that.
I use Santa Barbara United Healthcare and I have been thrilled. Yes, I am very observant and I ask questions. Some folks, especially elders, are trusting of the people who hold their life in their hands. Respect. Tough to change an entire lifes behavior that readily.
I just hope that the care there improves. It will never be a Level 1. It NEEDS improvement. NOMESAYIN??

Another is that your friend should immediately been treated with a cardiac protocol to ascertain whether a heart attack was underway. Any patient presenting with chest pain should become an immediate priority. As an aside, your friend should have called an ambulance to get to the ER. If he was having a cardiac event, he could easily have died on his way to the hospital.

I'm hoping GE sees this and weighs in on your post.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Yes, I see it and it is totally unacceptable. 5 1/2 hours to be seen with chest pain? 5 1/2 minutes is more the norm. No lab/EKG for 5 1/2 hours---a disaster waiting to happen. Admittedly, it's not 22 hours, but this could be a lot more serious than a hip fx. Apparently they have never heard the term "myocardial salvage". I've had patients in a cath lab 30 miles away in less than 1 1/2 hours. I had one come in for a routine office visit and then said, "by the way, I started having chest pains about an hour ago. He had classic EKG changes and I sent him directly to Syracuse where he was in the cath lab 52 minutes after stating he had chest pain. This is nothing to mess around with. You may be right, DB, it may be time for a change in ER groups with more oversight as well.

[dadspet]

Needed to go to an ER for side pain on a Friday night after Urgent care centers closed about 8:30 PM. Called 3 ERs for time wait estimates to be seen.

The Villages 4 1/2 hr
Leesburg 2 1/2 hr
Monroe Ocala none

Of course, the wait time can change by the time you get there. Drove to Monroe ER and they took me right in. Excellent service. BTW I've been to the Villages ER before and it was a long long wait to get in then a bed in the Hallway.

[Boudicca]

I was taken by ambulance to Leesburg at 4:00 am Tuesday (breathing difficulties due to bronchitis)and was treated not only on route, but within minutes at the ER. Incidentally, almost all the bays were occupied with many of the patients hacking and coughing as I was. I too received a follow up survey connected to my care. First rate

[NavyCO]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

[golfing eagles]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

Other than that, how do you REALLY feel?

[dbussone]

Other than that, how do you REALLY feel?



I believe he still thinks he's in the Navy. Should we salute and say: "Aye, Aye?"


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Bogie Shooter]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

The worst? That's painting with a very big brush!

[Bonny]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.
Can't imagine saying the "worst" Doctors. I have several wonderful Drs. here. I have been admitted to the hospital many times and have always had good care.

[SALYBOW]

i AM SO SICK OF COMPLAINING ABOUT TVRH. I HAD ANOTHER OCCASION TO GO THERE SUNDAY. I WAS TREATED VERY WELL AND VERY COMPETENTLY. IT WAS VERY BUSY AS THIS IS HIGH SEASON BUT THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. EVERYONE KEPT APOLOGIZING FOR THE WAIT.

:bigbow:

[Mr Hanky]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

What should one expect ???
I think everyone should expect decent (at the least) health care, no matter where they live. Especially in a community where you have a very high population of elderly residents that require more medical attention than any other age group. I love the villages and hope to retire here. I hope in the near future their will be more proactive solutions to the medical needs of our community than excuses. Just saying.

[Madelaine Amee]

and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

Where did you get that information .......... I have researched my doctors and have excellent health care, both medical and dental.

[skip0358]

OK Enough with bashing TVRH there are those of us who have had no problems there. Yea the ER gets backed up and you wait. Knowing that go somewhere else. I swear some people go there just so they can come on here and bash them. There's a new ER on 441 heading North on the right hand side just before Marion Market. Give them a try haven't seen ANY complaints about them yet.

[graciegirl]

OK Enough with bashing TVRH there are those of us who have had no problems there. Yea the ER gets backed up and you wait. Knowing that go somewhere else. I swear some people go there just so they can come on here and bash them. There's a new ER on 441 heading North on the right hand side just before Marion Market. Give them a try haven't seen ANY complaints about them yet.

Thank God for you SKIP, and ALL of the sane posters. Sometimes the alligators are up to my neck here in the.......whatchamallit. ;)

[skip0358]

We've heard enough from those that don't like it. Hope you never need to call an ambulance because there's a very good chance that's where your going . So if your that upset with them you might want to consider a new community to live in. Not everyone has had a bad experience, next time try the new ER on 441 just before Marion Market on the right hand side.

[Challenger]

first of all YOU ALL decided to move here.....secondly, the Villages hospital has been known to be one of the poorest in the area for years, and finally, the Villages itself attracts the worst doctors. So what in the world do you expect....nobody told you to move here.

a bit extreme and very misleading -
If you are new to TOTV, take this with at least a "grain of salt"

[dbussone]

We've heard enough from those that don't like it. Hope you never need to call an ambulance because there's a very good chance that's where your going . So if your that upset with them you might want to consider a new community to live in. Not everyone has had a bad experience, next time try the new ER on 441 just before Marion Market on the right hand side.



You seem to overlook the fact that some of us believe there is room for improved service and quality at TVRH. Having seen/experienced the ER (and I'm being specific) and having worked in hospitals for 40+ years, I can assure you there are lots of opportunities for improvement.

If things remain unchanged, and YOU need an ambulance, it might become your problem.

P.S. If you don't believe me, read some of the posts by Dr. Golfing Eagles.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[skip0358]

You seem to overlook the fact that some of us believe there is room for improved service and quality at TVRH. Having seen/experienced the ER (and I'm being specific) and having worked in hospitals for 40+ years, I can assure you there are lots of opportunities for improvement.

If things remain unchanged, and YOU need an ambulance, it might become your problem.

P.S. If you don't believe me, read some of the posts by Dr. Golfing Eagles.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Sure there's room for improvement but it doesn't get solved by bitching about it on here. As for ERs trust I rode the Ambulance in the FD for several years. I've seen both good and bad. All I can say is IF you call the Ambulance around here unless it's a Trauma your either going to TV or Leesburg and there's a big bill to follow.

[dbussone]

Sure there's room for improvement but it doesn't get solved by bitching about it on here. As for ERs trust I rode the Ambulance in the FD for several years. I've seen both good and bad. All I can say is IF you call the Ambulance around here unless it's a Trauma your either going to TV or Leesburg and there's a big bill to follow.



I don't complain about it on a TOTV, other than to alert the public. I have contacted the CEO, nursing leadership, chief of the medical staff, and others. When the chief of staff reports an issue to administration, and nothing happens, I've decided it's time to alert people. In a prior life I'd have been fired for not listening to my chief of staff.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[cc1246]

I just received a statement for $3500 was there for 7 1/2 hrs. Triage did take my temp and blood pressure that's it then about 6 hrs later I was taken into the er where a real Dr saw me and that was fine however the statement says they did extensive blood work to the tune of $560 and they never took blood from me. I'm calling medical records tomorrow and then my insurance. So much for our wonderful hospital.

[golfing eagles]

I don't complain about it on a TOTV, other than to alert the public. I have contacted the CEO, nursing leadership, chief of the medical staff, and others. When the chief of staff reports an issue to administration, and nothing happens, I've decided it's time to alert people. In a prior life I'd have been fired for not listening to my chief of staff.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Got that right. And since I WAS a chief of staff, I would have been happy to fire you DB:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[dbussone]

Got that right. And since I WAS a chief of staff, I would have been happy to fire you DB:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



Somehow I knew that was coming GE. Cheers!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[quinnpd]

9 1/2 hours in Villages Emergency Room. What a PIG STY. Place was filthy. I will never go back to that place. It should be shut down, they have no business calling it an emergency room. If you go in there, you will definitely have an emergency. We received an invoice for approx $6,000 for services and it noted that we will be billed separately for doctors services. WE NEVER SAW A DOCTOR. What a horrible disaster that place is.

[ColdNoMore]

9 1/2 hours in Villages Emergency Room. What a PIG STY. Place was filthy. I will never go back to that place. It should be shut down, they have no business calling it an emergency room. If you go in there, you will definitely have an emergency. We received an invoice for approx $6,000 for services and it noted that we will be billed separately for doctors services. WE NEVER SAW A DOCTOR. What a horrible disaster that place is.

Who knows, it could soon be turned into condominiums. :shrug:

[Jimmydoodlebug]

When we were thinking of moving here, one of the deciding factors was The Villages Health System and the presence of such a large Regional Medical Center so nearby. It seemed like a very important part of the retirement decision, and we moved here.

When I went to The Villages Health System at Sumter Landing to get a new primary care doctor I was surprised and disappointed to learn that you have to use United Health Care Medicare Advantage plan or they won't accept you. It so happens that I have United Healthcare group insurance, but it didn't matter: give up your Medicare or don't come here. All those nice neighborhood medical facilities were not for me.

My 104 year old mother fainted at her nursing home and she was sent to the Regional Medical center for evaluation and treatment. When I went there she was in an exam room and as I looked around I saw IV needle caps on the floor and small alcohol prep pads with blood on them lying on the floor. The sink in the room was loose on the wall. Altogether second rate. I say that with some knowledge as I was a fire rescue paramedic in Miami for 30 years and I've seen many emergency rooms but never one like this.

More recently my wife's mother visited and became very ill. She was transported to the Regional Medical Center where she was examined and then left lying on a gurney for more than 12 hours, in the hallway of the emergency room. Eventually she was admitted and her treatment was very good. One of the ER staff explained that during the season the demand for rooms and services is beyond their ability to keep up. I actually understand that but something needs to be done.

In an earlier post someone gave directions to two medical centers in Ocala. That's too far in a heart attack or stroke situation, but for more routine things that's where I'll go.

[outahere]

I wonder if submitting complaints to the state would help improve things?

AHCA: Complaint Administration Unit (http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Field_Ops/CAU.shtml)

[Dan9871]

Are you referring to Ocala Region Medical Center or the Villages Region Hospital?



she was sent to the Regional Medical center

My wife went to the Ocala Regional Medical Center ER recently and the hallways in the ER were clogged with gurneys with patients on them waiting for treatment.

It took a quite a while for her to be admitted, there just weren't enough beds available. Once in the hospital itself the treatment was very good. The ER staff were good too but you could tell they were stretched to the limit.

She has been to the Villages Hospital ER too and one time had to wait about 20 hours to get admitted. But again once in the hospital itself the treatment was very good.

The only reason she ended up in Ocala Regional was that both the Villages and the Leesburg ER's were on diversion and the ambulance could not take her to either.

I didn't see a lot of difference between the treatment she got at Ocala or The Villages ER's but maybe I don't have a critical enough eye that those of you who have worked in the health care industry have.

Given a choice she (and I) would pick the Villages Hospital. When she is in the Villages Hospital it is more accessible to her doctors and she has a Villages Health doctor and care manager looking over her care there, not one of the hospital staff doctors... that just makes everything in her overall care work better.

[NotGolfer]

Are you referring to Ocala Region Medical Center or the Villages Region Hospital?



My wife went to the Ocala Regional Medical Center ER recently and the hallways in the ER were clogged with gurneys with patients on them waiting for treatment.

It took a quite a while for her to be admitted, there just weren't enough beds available. Once in the hospital itself the treatment was very good. The ER staff were good too but you could tell they were stretched to the limit.

She has been to the Villages Hospital ER too and one time had to wait about 20 hours to get admitted. But again once in the hospital itself the treatment was very good.

The only reason she ended up in Ocala Regional was that both the Villages and the Leesburg ER's were on diversion and the ambulance could not take her to either.

I didn't see a lot of difference between the treatment she got at Ocala or The Villages ER's but maybe I don't have a critical enough eye that those of you who have worked in the health care industry have.

Given a choice she (and I) would pick the Villages Hospital. When she is in the Villages Hospital it is more accessible to her doctors and she has a Villages Health doctor and care manager looking over her care there, not one of the hospital staff doctors... that just makes everything in her overall care work better.

I know of someone who was treated in Ocala recently and was delayed treatment much as you describe. She got bumped 2X for surgery due to emergencies and didn't get into a room for over 24 hrs. I would rather be treated at TVRH for the same reasons you have stated. Change apparently needs to happen...don't know if it will given the heavy Florida population of elderly people. BTW...I've heard it said that some of the seasonal folks wait to have their elected surgeries after they return here. Guess they'd rather recouperate where it's sunny and warm.

[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.

[Jenny1326]

OK, so for sometime I have seen posting regarding TV hospital and the "horrors " and I can sympathize with some issue's as with anything or any place that deals with a large community . BUT I want to share my experience . Having "back pain " to me was not unusual however this one time I went for testing to finally get to the bottom of my pain. WELL, this is where my life changed for ever. CT SCAN was done and sent to TV E/R, I was taken in a matter of seconds , yes there were people waiting before me. The stink eye I got was not pleasant , but in I went! Long story short I had an aortic disection😱 was in ICC for a few days. Thru out the entire time I was treated by ALL with professional and caring manner. And lived to talk about it . Moral of story: yes,there are waiting times as with everything in life, patience , understanding the full story not what what we "think" it is, or isn't .

[graciegirl]

https://external-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCMFdU3AubNMp7R&w=296&h=370&url=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-0%2Fp296x100%2F18034185_1700005236683320_362145866 8283768921_n.jpg%3Foh%3D16817fc4a20f7b40f164723547 0b517c%26oe%3D5977799F&cfs=1&upscale=1&_nc_hash=AQCR5KVm08I4dMYN

[Bonny]

These ER waiting times, etc., happen everywhere. There are horror stories about every hospital. I worked in a large hospital in Michigan back in the 70's. It was a great hospital, but I remember people all over in the ER waiting for beds, rooms, etc.

[Jimmydoodlebug]

Are you referring to Ocala Region Medical Center or the Villages Region Hospital?

This thread is about the Villages Regional Medical Center.

[golfing eagles]

This thread is about the Villages Regional Medical Center.

At least you got that part right

[EPutnam1863]

Here up in the Northwoods the local hospital had to open a special ER area reserved for victims of hunting and gunshot incidents. It is staffed by gunshot specialists. Scary.

[Jimmydoodlebug]

At least you got that part right
Do you dispute my experiences? Explain yourself if you can.

[PennBF]

Why in God's name would anyone risk their body to some of the terrible treatments locally? We are 2 1/2 hour car ride to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville where there is the latest medical technology and the most amazing thing that if you have an appointment you will be called to meet with the Dr. at exactly on the time of your schedule. No hour or more waiting because of over booking etc. It is impossible to describe all of the advantages to trust your body to Mayo but is safe to say they are miracle workers every day. :smiley:

[wsachs]

I can tell you from experience that the best place to go is Waterman Hospital ER in Taveras! Went in on a Tuesday with some chest discomfort. Within 5 minutes was given an EKG. Then blood was drawn and a chest exray without even getting out of the gurney.

Within the next hour was given a echo cardiogram and seen by a staff doctor. Later in the afternoon, saw a cardiologist, who went over the results with me and then ordered a stress test.

Great staff, great prompt service. Give it a try. I know it's a ways, 1/2 hr, from TV but well worth it.

[JeanRichwein]

Thank you for informing the people here about health care in The Villages, and confirming what so many of us already know. It is far from what it is touted to be. The care a friend received at TV Hospital (incl. the emergency room) was the worst I have ever witnessed in any hospital I have worked in since 1960. I am a retired RN and I was appalled at the lack of knowledge and skill, the inefficiency, and unclean conditions. I will never go there or take anyone there unless I have no choice in the matter. I pray that will never be the case. At one point, during a transfer situation, when the EMT heard us say that the patient should be taken to The Villages Hospital, he asked us , "Do you want her to live?" - and offered an alternative suggestion. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are horror stories out here and no one to report them to.

[Brynnie]

Just as a point of information, Ocala Regional Medical Center (ORMC) is the trauma center for all area accidents that may involve head injuries. The EMTs are instructed to take anyone there who has potential head injuries from an accident. That's why they sometimes bypass The Villages Hospital.

[rmd2]

Here is the e-mail I sent to the care group in The Villages Medical:
"I worked in Emergency Rooms in Illinois as well as ER's in Washington DC hospitals and suburban hospitals. The Villages Hospital Emergency Room is a DISGRACE and totally inadequate for this population!
My 5 year experience with The Villages Hospital Emergency Room in a total of 3 visits was:
visit #1 a 7 hour wait time
visit #2 a 7 1/2 hour wait time
visit #3 after waiting 8 1/2 hours and never been seen I left (and this visit was due to a 4 auto crash on 441 in which I was the 3rd car that accident).
I trained in Radiology in Rockford, IL and worked the Emergency room there. At the time Rockford had the approximate population of 50,000. We had 3 hospitals at that time (each of them were approximately the size of our one hospital in The Villages) and all three Emergency rooms in Rockford were BUSY! WE ARE WOEFULLY SHORT OF STAFF AND OF EMERGENCY ROOMS in The Villages. This is such an under-served area I am surprised it has not made the national news. Perhaps that is where we need to go next with our very valid complaints because they are not address by those in charge here."
They sent me a form response to call them.

[graciegirl]

Thank you for informing the people here about health care in The Villages, and confirming what so many of us already know. It is far from what it is touted to be. The care a friend received at TV Hospital (incl. the emergency room) was the worst I have ever witnessed in any hospital I have worked in since 1960. I am a retired RN and I was appalled at the lack of knowledge and skill, the inefficiency, and unclean conditions. I will never go there or take anyone there unless I have no choice in the matter. I pray that will never be the case. At one point, during a transfer situation, when the EMT heard us say that the patient should be taken to The Villages Hospital, he asked us , "Do you want her to live?" - and offered an alternative suggestion. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are horror stories out here and no one to report them to.


We have been there twice and had good treatment each time but breathing difficulties are always taken first.

A good friend had a terrible allergic reaction to a new medication on her first night in The Villages and had anaphylactic shock. She was put into an induced coma with a breathing tube for several days.They helped her immediately and we visited her every day after she was admitted to The Villages Hospital. It appeared that she had very good treatment from beginning to end.

If anyone goes to their browser and types in Emergency Room Wait, you can read dozens of stories from across the U.S. You may be in pain and you may be scared but if you aren't on the top of the Triage Nurses List, you will wait.

[vintageogauge]

If these conditions were to be investigated and published my a network TV station out of Orlando it might put enough pressure on the hospital to start making changes. If these conditions are proved and it is broadcast nationally it would scare off potential buyers. Part of the reason we are moving to TV was the fact that it has a hospital and after reading these posts the first thing I'm going to do is research the availability of emergency care other than within TV. We are not new to the ER conditions as we had our on problem there and thankfully someone in the waiting room suggested we go to a urgent care who took care of my wife within 5 minutes. I thought this was just a bad day as it was a Saturday night and the waiting area was full of young people, I didn't think is was typical until finding this thread. Not a good situation for a community full of aging residents..

[jojo]

I am a volunteer at the hospital and speak with all the patients after their first night in the hospital. I give my notes to the volunteer who directs patient surveys. She compiles and meets weekly with the administrative team at the hospital. I don't have the hard data, but I would estimate from my notes that well over 85% of patients are happy with the nursing services they are receiving on the floor. Many give very high ratings. One of the questions that I ask in the protocol that I use is whether the patient was admitted through the ER. I then ask about the wait time and the quality of the treatment in ER. While the answer to the time varies, most patients say they were triaged immediately. They acknowledged that they may have had to wait in the waiting room during busy times if their issue was not life threatening. The major delay they tell me is not in being treated in a timely manner but waiting in the ER rooms for a bed to open in the hospital. As to care in the ER, again the vast majority say it was OK or good. As I read these reports, clearly one would assume that the place is a disaster. I have taken my mother there twice in the past year and we were treated immediately and she was admitted to the hospital both times. I do not question the authenticity of any of these reports. Clearly, folks are telling what happened to them. Obviously some people have experienced major delays or problems in treatment. However, I must tell you that I talk to patients weekly and rarely do I hear stories such as these on TOTV. I wonder, do those who have experienced good care in the ER just not speak up?

[NotGolfer]

I am a volunteer at the hospital and speak with all the patients after their first night in the hospital. I give my notes to the volunteer who directs patient surveys. She compiles and meets weekly with the administrative team at the hospital. I don't have the hard data, but I would estimate from my notes that well over 85% of patients are happy with the nursing services they are receiving on the floor. Many give very high ratings. One of the questions that I ask in the protocol that I use is whether the patient was admitted through the ER. I then ask about the wait time and the quality of the treatment in ER. While the answer to the time varies, most patients say they were triaged immediately. They acknowledged that they may have had to wait in the waiting room during busy times if their issue was not life threatening. The major delay they tell me is not in being treated in a timely manner but waiting in the ER rooms for a bed to open in the hospital. As to care in the ER, again the vast majority say it was OK or good. As I read these reports, clearly one would assume that the place is a disaster. I have taken my mother there twice in the past year and we were treated immediately and she was admitted to the hospital both times. I do not question the authenticity of any of these reports. Clearly, folks are telling what happened to them. Obviously some people have experienced major delays or problems in treatment. However, I must tell you that I talk to patients weekly and rarely do I hear stories such as these on TOTV. I wonder, do those who have experienced good care in the ER just not speak up?

Good to hear (read) your post!!! We BOTH have gone thru the ER and both of us have had to be admitted though not at the same time. We are amongst the 85% plus of the people who were completely satisfied with our experiences at TVRH. As you say, there most likely are those who feel they aren't or weren't given good treatment. I will say that we used to hear similar comments about the multiple hospitals in our former area, that we moved here from. LARGE hospitals too, I might add! Mayo is a presence in our former home-town and folks there aren't impressed. As our population (U.S.) grows and gets old and health-care is as it is...we may continue to hear about these. I still stand on that my own care here has been exemplary!

One time we had a conversation with one of the volunteers at TVRH. They said, "Can you imagine trying to manage such a facility as this with the population we have?" IF you're unhappy then write letters, call "powers that be" and see if you get some sort of response. Complaining without doing so, on social media, won't bring you results.

[leux75]

The villages hospital is undesirable for many reasons.My husband was a pt in Feb, we had many complaints.I wrote a letter to hospital administration.Itold them I was disgusted each time I saw a full page add in the Daily Sun stating The Villages is Americas healthiest home town.

[arickis]

I went to the Villages hospital a few years ago to have three heart stents put in. Treatment was great, people were great, surgery went great. I would go back to them if needed. I have seen horror shows from Leesburg and Munroe while visiting friends who also received poor care at the other hospitals.

[Bonny]

The villages hospital is undesirable for many reasons.My husband was a pt in Feb, we had many complaints.I wrote a letter to hospital administration.Itold them I was disgusted each time I saw a full page add in the Daily Sun stating The Villages is Americas healthiest home town.
We love the Villages Hospital. Been through the ER several times and have stayed there several times.
Yes, the ER can be very slow as it is in many hospitals, but the care is wonderful !
Not sure what all was wrong when you say, undesirable, many complaints, disgusted, etc.

[blueash]

I am a volunteer at the hospital and speak with all the patients after their first night in the hospital.

Thank you for volunteering. However if I were a hospital administrator I would do my survey after the first night while the patient was still in the hospital. The patient has gone from very frightened to stabilized,and is hopefully pain controlled both of which are a big improvement from the day before, and is still subject to the quality of the care which is going to be received over the next hours and days while still in the hospital. Of course they are going to be both feeling better [pleased] and cautious about complaining. I'd add that the great majority of complaints are about the ER not the inpatient units. Maybe the administration should have you walking about in the ER doing a survey of how satisfied patients down there are feeling. Maybe even make it anonymous and not face to face so there is no pressure to be socially pleasing. Say a cell phone app that allows people to rate the care every 15 minutes, a series of scales looking at wait time, courtesy, housekeeping, being kept informed, comfort. These are features the waiting patient can intelligently rate.

It is uncommon for diners to complain about a bad meal while still in the restaurant even though there is no concern that the staff is going to be cooking their next meal. Server asks "How was the meal" "Fine" but all along they complained to their dining mates about the quality. Which report is the accurate one? The complaint to the friends at the table or the "fine" given the server?

[dbussone]

Thank you for volunteering. However if I were a hospital administrator I would do my survey after the first night while the patient was still in the hospital. The patient has gone from very frightened to stabilized,and is hopefully pain controlled both of which are a big improvement from the day before, and is still subject to the quality of the care which is going to be received over the next hours and days while still in the hospital. Of course they are going to be both feeling better [pleased] and cautious about complaining. I'd add that the great majority of complaints are about the ER not the inpatient units. Maybe the administration should have you walking about in the ER doing a survey of how satisfied patients down there are feeling. Maybe even make it anonymous and not face to face so there is no pressure to be socially pleasing. Say a cell phone app that allows people to rate the care every 15 minutes, a series of scales looking at wait time, courtesy, housekeeping, being kept informed, comfort. These are features the waiting patient can intelligently rate.



It is uncommon for diners to complain about a bad meal while still in the restaurant even though there is no concern that the staff is going to be cooking their next meal. Server asks "How was the meal" "Fine" but all along they complained to their dining mates about the quality. Which report is the accurate one? The complaint to the friends at the table or the "fine" given the server?



There have actually been studies about surveying patients while in the hospital. The data is skewed because patients are concerned they will be mistreated if they complain while still in the hospital. Almost all hospitals survey patients after discharge for this reason.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Bonny]

There have actually been studies about surveying patients while in the hospital. The data is skewed because patients are concerned they will be mistreated if they complain while still in the hospital. Almost all hospitals survey patients after discharge for this reason.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
No one has ever asked me while I'm in the hospital how things were. I always get a call after I'm home to see how things were.

[vintageogauge]

The follow up calls at home are standard practice with all hospitals asking mainly how your recovery is going, nothing to do with the ER. I would never go there again the ER reception area is disgusting. I always give restaurants a second chance if I had a bad meal or bad service, an ER is a whole different ballgame. Even if some of these complaints are not 100% true, they should have an independent survey firm asking key questions sent to the patients after they are home. Complaining here as noted earlier does no good.

[Radioman41]

Went to Leesburg Hospital ER this morning after a nasty fall last night. Was checked in, X-rays taken, examined by PA, and out the door in an hour with two prescriptions. Excellent service. Check out person said busiest day is Monday. She said patients call their physician Monday morning, can't get an appointment, then come to ER. Their web site shows waiting time in ER. BTW, living in Lake Deaton, it is faster for us to to go to Leesburg than to The Villages Hospital.

[dbussone]

The follow up calls at home are standard practice with all hospitals asking mainly how your recovery is going, nothing to do with the ER. I would never go there again the ER reception area is disgusting. I always give restaurants a second chance if I had a bad meal or bad service, an ER is a whole different ballgame. Even if some of these complaints are not 100% true, they should have an independent survey firm asking key questions sent to the patients after they are home. Complaining here as noted earlier does no good.



Hospitals perform several types of surveys. The one most people are familiar with is the survey after being discharged as an inpatient. Then there are those that are done following an outpatient procedure. And another survey is performed for ER patients. Sample size varies based on the total number of patients receiving care in a given area. The surveys are done by professional firms and the results are provided to various organizations, including CMS (Medicare).

Physicians are required to do the same type of surveys.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Xaribe]

I have been trying to educate myself on TV. My brother, who lives in Bradenton, said to avoid TV. I was concerned because I have not found much negative about TV until now. The houses and other activities seem fine, yet dental and healthcare seem very lacking with many stories sounding like elderly abuse. I have UHC Advantage, but live in the Northeast. My wife had Merkel Cell Cancer for which medical costs approached $80K, but my out of pocket was at best $1500. So medical care is paramount for me. After reading the responses, I may forget TV. I have never heard so many horror stories. My wife gets a CAT scan every 6 months, and we are 3 yrs now with nothing found.

I do want to thank everyone for providing the information.

[NYGUY]

I have been trying to educate myself on TV. My brother, who lives in Bradenton, said to avoid TV. I was concerned because I have not found much negative about TV until now. The houses and other activities seem fine, yet dental and healthcare seem very lacking with many stories sounding like elderly abuse. I have UHC Advantage, but live in the Northeast. My wife had Merkel Cell Cancer for which medical costs approached $80K, but my out of pocket was at best $1500. So medical care is paramount for me. After reading the responses, I may forget TV. I have never heard so many horror stories. My wife gets a CAT scan every 6 months, and we are 3 yrs now with nothing found.

I do want to thank everyone for providing the information.

I advise people who have significant health care concerns that they might want to think twice about moving to a rural area such as this....good luck!!

[Xaribe]

I am still working things out. Came down for my grand childs graduation and went to Fenny. Saw a house at $724K, but had a problem with it. My brother bought in Bradenton at $250K couple of years ago. Comparing "Apples to Apples" his house is larger, has a bigger pool, and is still in a closed Golf Community. At this point I have to rationalize the extra expense. Now the medical issue is still paramount, but we are 45 min from Boston or NYC and my wife's doctors are in Providence. So I guess we will continue to deal with this.

[dbussone]

I have been trying to educate myself on TV. My brother, who lives in Bradenton, said to avoid TV. I was concerned because I have not found much negative about TV until now. The houses and other activities seem fine, yet dental and healthcare seem very lacking with many stories sounding like elderly abuse. I have UHC Advantage, but live in the Northeast. My wife had Merkel Cell Cancer for which medical costs approached $80K, but my out of pocket was at best $1500. So medical care is paramount for me. After reading the responses, I may forget TV. I have never heard so many horror stories. My wife gets a CAT scan every 6 months, and we are 3 yrs now with nothing found.



I do want to thank everyone for providing the information.



Just a little information for you. My wife and I both grew up in the Boston area. She is an RN trained at Massachusetts General Hospital. We both have some issues common to those our age, and she has MS. We have successfully found local physicians who provide quality care. When sub-specialty care has been needed, we (and our internist) have identified very competent physicians within an hour of The Villages. It used to take longer than that to get into Boston from 25 miles away.

Everything is a matter of perspective.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[graciegirl]

Just a little information for you. My wife and I both grew up in the Boston area. She is an RN trained at Massachusetts General Hospital. We both have some issues common to those our age, and she has MS. We have successfully found local physicians who provide quality care. When sub-specialty care has been needed, we (and our internist) have identified very competent physicians within an hour of The Villages. It used to take longer than that to get into Boston from 25 miles away.

Everything is a matter of perspective.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro


We too have found competent physicians here in The Villages including, GP, ENT, Gastroenterologist, Cardiologist*, dermatologist, endocrinologist, and opthamologist *Our Helene must see specialty doctors in Cincinnati once a year and we both see the oncologist there once a year too. Gainesville has a large teaching hospital and a lot of expertise up there, and it isn't far, an hour or so.

[Hancle704]

Problem still occurring at TVRH. Today, my neighbor went to ER with Chest pains. No beds in ER so he was seen seen, sent for testing, IV started and then returned to waiting room. The bottleneck IMO, is open beds "upstairs" in hospital, but no nurses . So folks remain in a bed or gurney in ER or out in waiting room until more nursing staff is brought in. This situation occurs now, unlike peak season when there are nurses but no rooms. Meanwhile TV continues to grow, but there does not appear to be a plan in place to manage this problem at TVRH. My wife just spent and extra weekend in hospital occupying a bed because they had no Physical Therapist available to do an assessment of her post hospital needs.

[villages07]

Problem still occurring at TVRH. Today, my neighbor went to ER with Chest pains. No beds in ER so he was seen seen, sent for testing, IV started and then returned to waiting room. The bottleneck IMO, is open beds "upstairs" in hospital, but no nurses . So folks remain in a bed or gurney in ER or out in waiting room until more nursing staff is brought in. This situation occurs now, unlike peak season when there are nurses but no rooms. Meanwhile TV continues to grow, but there does not appear to be a plan in place to manage this problem at TVRH. My wife just spent and extra weekend in hospital occupying a bed because they had no Physical Therapist available to do an assessment of her post hospital needs.



Hancle.... I can validate your story. Spent more than Six hours at ER today accompanying someone else. He gave up and went home when they said it might be two hours more. If they had communicated better we could have made other, better choices...like Leesburg ER or new ER up on 441. Very poorly run. I am proud of many things about The Villages and the ancillary businesses, but, I am ashamed at how the ER is run. He got the same story about beds upstairs being full.

By the way, I checked TVRH website at the midpoint and it said wait time was 0 minutes. What a farce. Yes, they are quick at checkin and triage but a long, long wait to see a doc.

This is on a Wednesday morning in late May. I can only imagine what it's like on a Saturday night in March!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dbussone]

Hancle.... I can validate your story. Spent more than Six hours at ER today accompanying someone else. He gave up and went home when they said it might be two hours more. If they had communicated better we could have made other, better choices...like Leesburg ER or new ER up on 441. Very poorly run. I am proud of many things about The Villages and the ancillary businesses, but, I am ashamed at how the ER is run. He got the same story about beds upstairs being full.

By the way, I checked TVRH website at the midpoint and it said wait time was 0 minutes. What a farce. Yes, they are quick at checkin and triage but a long, long wait to see a doc.

This is on a Wednesday morning in late May. I can only imagine what it's like on a Saturday night in March!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk



TVRH has just added new inpatient beds. And expanded the ER, as well as a holding unit for patients who are staying overnight or waiting for an inpatient bed. If they don't have sufficient nursing/technical staff in off-season, as you imply, that says a lot to me. Staff can also include the ER docs and hospitalists. All can create bottlenecks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Hancle704]

Update on this thread that started in January 2017. Today May 26th the expansion of hospital is supposedly almost complete, there is still some minor construction between ER waiting room and Triage Nurse's station, seasonal visitors have left and today the ER was overloaded, with patients on gurneys and chairs inside the ER, a crowd in waiting room waiting to be seen, 30 patients in ER waiting to be admitted and sent up to rooms and nothing has changed. Why? If there are rooms why does hospital not have enough nursing staff. The bottleneck continues despite all of the expansion. Guess it is just a matter of more homes being sold every month and the hospital is failing to meet the growth curve. There has been a significant increase in urgent care facilities in and around the Villages to handle non life threatening issues, so one must ask what has gone wrong with "America's Healthiest Community"? Do we need another hospital or a new management team and quite possibly competitive wages to attract more nurses? IMO this situation will continue to worsen unless things change rapidly.

[JoMar]

You all do know this isn't a hospital associated with The Villages right?

[Dan9871]

I have been trying to educate myself on TV. My brother, who lives in Bradenton, said to avoid TV. I was concerned because I have not found much negative about TV until now. The houses and other activities seem fine, yet dental and healthcare seem very lacking with many stories sounding like elderly abuse. I have UHC Advantage, but live in the Northeast. My wife had Merkel Cell Cancer for which medical costs approached $80K, but my out of pocket was at best $1500. So medical care is paramount for me. After reading the responses, I may forget TV. I have never heard so many horror stories. My wife gets a CAT scan every 6 months, and we are 3 yrs now with nothing found.

I do want to thank everyone for providing the information.

Of course you have to decide for yourself about medical care in the villages.

But just to give you another data point to consider...

My wife and I also have UHC Advantage and use Villages Health. She has had serious medical issues this year and been in the ER numerous times, both at TVH and Ocala Regional Medical Center. Both seem to be very busy, have lot's of patients in gurneys in the hallways and take forever to get admitted to the hospital, usually due to lack of beds.

I know that some the doc's and medical people that respond on here on TOTV say that TVH ER needs improvements but from what little I know of ER's it seems about the same as most, at least from a patient's point of view.

But the overall care and quality in the hospitals and from the medical people has been very good. We both feel it is more than equal to what had when we lived in Eastern Mass.

As far as medical costs so far for my wife the cost on paper from the doc's and hospitals is over $280,000. Our out of pocket so far is almost $4500 plus what we pay for Medicare. The UHC Advantage plan we have limits our out of pocket to $4500 so we are just about done with out of pocket for this year.

We've haven't had any issue finding a good PCP or specialists, or getting the tests my wife needs. We've depended on our PCP's recommendations and it has worked out very well.

One time a provider that UHC said we had to use was about 40 minutes away. We found another in the Villages and asked UHC for an exception based strictly on convenience for us. UHC only to one day to approve it without anything more than filling out a request form.

[Hancle704]

You all do know this isn't a hospital associated with The Villages right?

I know, not that it makes any difference. I also know that it was built where Harold Schwartz said it would be built during his lifetime. I also recall when it opened with 60 beds it was already too small and I recall when the hospital needed a hospital taxing authority it was proposed in the Fl Legislature. This proposal despite predictions that hospital would not expand if the referendum was not passed, was voted down by the voters after hearing that part of the money it would raise would go to a developer foundation. Somehow money was raised and what is there after at least 2 expansions is still not capable of meeting today's demands with most or all of the seasonal visitors having left. Concerned if it can't meet today's demands where will ambulances take you during the next peak season when they go on divert. For sure it won't be "golf cart accessible".

[NotGolfer]

Of course you have to decide for yourself about medical care in the villages.

But just to give you another data point to consider...

My wife and I also have UHC Advantage and use Villages Health. She has had serious medical issues this year and been in the ER numerous times, both at TVH and Ocala Regional Medical Center. Both seem to be very busy, have lot's of patients in gurneys in the hallways and take forever to get admitted to the hospital, usually due to lack of beds.

I know that some the doc's and medical people that respond on here on TOTV say that TVH ER needs improvements but from what little I know of ER's it seems about the same as most, at least from a patient's point of view.

But the overall care and quality in the hospitals and from the medical people has been very good. We both feel it is more than equal to what had when we lived in Eastern Mass.

As far as medical costs so far for my wife the cost on paper from the doc's and hospitals is over $280,000. Our out of pocket so far is almost $4500 plus what we pay for Medicare. The UHC Advantage plan we have limits our out of pocket to $4500 so we are just about done with out of pocket for this year.

We've haven't had any issue finding a good PCP or specialists, or getting the tests my wife needs. We've depended on our PCP's recommendations and it has worked out very well.

One time a provider that UHC said we had to use was about 40 minutes away. We found another in the Villages and asked UHC for an exception based strictly on convenience for us. UHC only to one day to approve it without anything more than filling out a request form.

:BigApplause: I have to agree with this! We too have had numerous occassions of transport to both Leesburg hospital and The Villages Hospital as well as admittance to both. No issues except maybe the long ER waiting room wait (if you're a walk-in). I think rather than renumerating on social media sites folks should all band together and call as well as write the admins with their complaints. Perhaps then, management will do something for improvements. I'm not educated on what it takes to run a hospital so perception as a consumer is where I come from. I can't complain about our health care here since we have UHC through T.V. and it's served our needs well.

[Xaribe]

thank you very much for that input. I will also relay the info to my wife. I am sure the data will be very helpful, again, thanks