Very Poor TV UF Hospital - What Is Being Done?

[ChrisTee]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

[JMintzer]

A higher percentage of older people typically means a higher percentage of sicker people, which typically leads to a higher percentage of "less than desirable outcomes"...

[villagetinker]

I agree with the above comment, there may be a bias in the CMS 'grading' system due to the very large older population. I recall a long discussion before on this exact same topic, not sure how to answer your question, but perhaps a call directly to the hospital?

[La lamy]

My experience there was not good and I saw and read many other bad experiences. I totally agree something needs to happen to improve the quality of care there, but I don't know what we can do...

[coffeebean]

A higher percentage of older people typically means a higher percentage of sicker people, which typically leads to a higher percentage of "less than desirable outcomes"...
This is exactly my thoughts too. A bedroom community has mostly young families vs seniors in The Villages. Older folks yield worse outcomes than young folks and health issues.

[biker1]

If your sole criteria for choosing a hospital is the CMS rating then Waterman, rated 4 stars, is not that much further than The Villages Hospital or Leesburg Hospital (also 2 star CMS rating). The Villages Hospital rating appears to be dinged by the readmission rate. Given that the average age in The Villages is getting close to 70, that may be expected. You may wish to move to a major metropolitan area as they tend to have more hospitals so you would enjoy a greater choice.

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

[manaboutown]

For at least the last 50 years Central Florida has not been a go-to destination for high level medical care.

[Taltarzac725]

Was there on-and-off a few weeks ago and found their treatment rather chaotic. The left arm did not know what the right leg was doing, so to speak.

[Vikingjunior]

What's ironic is UF Shands in Gainesville is a excellent hospital.

[tophcfa]

I am not sure how the rating system works, but regardless of age or health I believe the desired outcome for anyone having to go to a hospital is to be in a sanitary and welcoming environment, to be seen by competent professionals in a timely manner, and to be properly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, my experience at the Villages Hospital was the exact opposite. I spent approximately 11 1/2 hours in an absolutely filthy waiting room, most of the time with an IV port in my arm that wasn’t hooked up to the fluids which I desperately needed. The only restroom available was probably the most disgusting public restroom I ever had to use. The environment was the opposite of welcoming. I was so sick I was in serious risk of death, and no, it wasn’t Covid. All I did was wait and wait and wait, the whole time in total agony. At one point I fell out of the chair I was trying to stay upright in and passed out on the floor. I am not sure how long I was on the floor before I came too, but I am guessing it was at least 45 minutes. No one ever even came over to ask how I was or if I needed help? When an incompetent doctor finally misdiagnosed me, I was subsequently mistreated and sent home to die. I was in no shape to drive, let alone take care of myself, and desperately needed to be admitted to intensive care. Despite that, they sent me on my way to drive home in my golf cart at midnight. I still can’t believe I somehow made it home without killing myself or someone else.

Fortunately, my wife arrived at our Villages home two days later and brought me to a real hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. We went to a stand alone ER affiliated with the hospital. The triage nurse took one look at me and within 5 minutes I was in a bed with a doctor at my side running a bunch of tests. After the doctor evaluated me, she made a phone call and I was in an Ambulance and on my way to an already assigned room in their critical care unit where I spent the next 8 days. What a great hospital, they saved my life. That’s how things are supposed to work. That was last June and now I am back to even better than I was before I got sick. I have always taken great care of myself, but a close brush with the grim reaper now has me doubling down on my exercise, diet, etc…

There is no grade low enough for me to give to the Villages Hospital!

[paulat585]

I am not sure how the rating system works, but regardless of age or health I believe the desired outcome for anyone having to go to a hospital is to be in a sanitary and welcoming environment, to be seen by competent professionals in a timely manner, and to be properly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, my experience at the Villages Hospital was the exact opposite. I spent approximately 11 1/2 hours in an absolutely filthy waiting room, most of the time with an IV port in my arm that wasn’t hooked up to the fluids which I desperately needed. The only restroom available was probably the most disgusting public restroom I ever had to use. The environment was the opposite of welcoming. I was so sick I was in serious risk of death, and no, it wasn’t Covid. All I did was wait and wait and wait, the whole time in total agony. At one point I fell out of the chair I was trying to stay upright in and passed out on the floor. I am not sure how long I was on the floor before I came too, but I am guessing it was at least 45 minutes. No one ever even came over to ask how I was or if I needed help? When an incompetent doctor finally misdiagnosed me, I was subsequently mistreated and sent home to die. I was in no shape to drive, let alone take care of myself, and desperately needed to be admitted to intensive care. Despite that, they sent me on my way to drive home in my golf cart at midnight. I still can’t believe I somehow made it home without killing myself or someone else.

Fortunately, my wife arrived at our Villages home two days later and brought me to a real hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. We went to a stand alone ER affiliated with the hospital. The triage nurse took one look at me and within 5 minutes I was in a bed with a doctor at my side running a bunch of tests. After the doctor evaluated me, she made a phone call and I was in an Ambulance and on my way to an already assigned room in their critical care unit where I spent the next 8 days. What a great hospital, they saved my life. That’s how things are supposed to work. That was last June and now I am back to even better than I was before I got sick. I have always taken great care of myself, but a close brush with the grim reaper now has me doubling down on my exercise, diet, etc…

There is no grade low enough for me to give to the Villages Hospital!
Sad to hear this & sorry you went through it, but thank you for the great information. We have avoided TV hospital by driving to the free standing ER on 441 almost across from Market of Marion. A longer drive, but worth it.

[PugMom]

My experience there was not good and I saw and read many other bad experiences. I totally agree something needs to happen to improve the quality of care there, but I don't know what we can do...

it's terribly short staffed. it's a beautiful facility, lots of the latest equipment but hardly anyone to work there

[skippy05]

Waterman hospital in Tavares and the hospital in Leesburg are both your answer and not far from TV at all. Why do you assume everything you need must be a golf cart ride away?

[ScottGo]

Just got out after 6 nights. Nursing is great. The Dr.s are the total opposite. If what was seen from ER tests on Rt 44, would have gone home in 2 days. Still not fixed, told to schedule outpatient for next week, soonest is 6 weeks. Hope I can make it.

[Rwirish]

Sounds like you best not move to TV.

[crash]

What's ironic is UF Shands in Gainesville is a excellent hospital.

The problem with the hospitals in The Villages is over crowding and will get worse until more hospitals are built. So of corse the hospital in Gainsville is better the average age isn’t 70 and the hospital is not over crowded.

[KimmieK]

Ownership vs. Management! This will take some time to bump up CMS ratings and more data gathering to see any changes in those numbers. No magic switch!

[Topspinmo]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

Tell you the truth I’m afraid of going into any hospital. If you go in and come out I’d say rating pretty good. When you get old and have all sorts of medical conditions known and unknown, plus things that can happen or catch in hospital the odds aren’t in older person favor. Majority are not in good health anyway and even if you are nobody knows what hidden problems you may have that don’t have abnormal symptoms or pain. I am thankful there’s hospital close. Ocala and Leesburg not that close depending on which side of villages you live in and with traffic not that quick.

[biker1]

I don't know why you consider it ironic. By the way, it has a 3 star CMS rating and, yes, I have been there.

What's ironic is UF Shands in Gainesville is a excellent hospital.

[msilagy]

Just because the name Shands in now on the Villages Hospital there is no interaction from Shands....maybe some day. Many people are misled by the name.

[Ptmckiou]

A higher percentage of older people typically means a higher percentage of sicker people, which typically leads to a higher percentage of "less than desirable outcomes"...

Exactly. How can you have fantastic desirable outcomes, when 90% of the patients are sicker older people. We aren’t like a normal area with the average age bracket of 45 with younger immune systems, less chronic issues.

[asianthree]

If UF doesn’t take over fully until first of the year, the hospital is still in transition mode.

Working at facilities that were bought out, the changing of the guard, can take more than a year, sometimes more. Staff is evaluated, some maintained positions, some offered retirement, or no offer at all.

Staff may slowly change, along with care. Doctors, Residents may follow, along with staff from UF in Gainesville. One facility I worked at had a 5 year increment plan for conversion.

[blueash]

The excuse that the Villages Hospital has an older demographic is belied by the fact that the Leesburg Hospital, run by the same people has a typical demographic and the same low rating. Those who praise Shands should be aware it is a three star CMS hospital, which makes it average using their criteria. Their poorest measure is readmission rate. Being a university teaching hospital means the sickest patients tend to go there which does impact outcome data. This is not true of our hospital where the sickest patients are often triaged elsewhere.

You can look at the CMS ratings HERE (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/results?searchType=Hospital&page=1&state=FL&sort=alpha)

While patient surveys can be misleading.. The national average to the question "Would you recommend this hospital? is Yes 71% For The Villages it is 51% and Leesburg 62%

Shands in Gainesville is 82%. I would not suggest you only use CMS ratings in determining your hospitals of choice. It looks at a narrow set of outcome data. Patient satisfaction is skewed by how nice a room looks and how good the food tasted. In my opinion, and experience, patients are not particularly good at judging the quality of medical care.

I knew several doctors who were jerks but excellent clinicians, think Dr. House. When referring a patient to them I'd warn the family that experience might not be pleasant but I wanted the best medical outcome, and for their situation, I'd use Dr Jerk. If the pleasantness of the experience was important, I'd have an alternative suggestion.

[jbrown132]

A higher percentage of older people typically means a higher percentage of sicker people, which typically leads to a higher percentage of "less than desirable outcomes"...
I do not think that answers his question and I don’t totally agree with you. Both my wife and I have had horrible experiences at that hospital. Six hour waits at the emergency room, doctors that are rude etc. one thing they could do is If the hospital could get linked in with a quality university medical school and become a teaching hospital it might improve greatly. Several years ago, I had to have a cardiac procedure and my cardiologist who is on staff at both The Villages hospital and at Leesburg hospital strongly recommend I go to Leesburg. He said they had much better equipment, and staff there than in The Villages. It’s ok for anything minor bot if you have to have something serious done go somewhere else. This is from a doctor on staff at that hospital.

[Rzepecki]

Sad to hear this & sorry you went through it, but thank you for the great information. We have avoided TV hospital by driving to the free standing ER on 441 almost across from Market of Marion. A longer drive, but worth it.

This is the Ocala Health ER. The location on 441 (in front of Del Webb) is 10 minutes from Ashland. They have another location on 466a, just W of Buena Vista, again 10 minutes from Ashland.

My husband and I have been to both locations and have always received wonderful care!

[Tmcbryan]

Both my wife and I have gone into the hospital. Our experience has been as good as any other hospital “up North”.
Our one experience with ER was not great. The ER on 44 was very good.

[Pres1939]

I share your concern. I am a new resident in TV, and my son recently had a terrible experience at this hospital. I urge you not to give up on TV, though. This is a wonderful community (I am 82), and the UF hospital in nearby Leesburg and Ocala, plus Gainesville are exceptional. As for the TV UF Hospital, I have reported my family’s experience to Florida hospital oversight agencies, local congressmen, and local venues, such as TOTV. Hopefully, the State or UF will take appropriate action.
I hope you will join our Villages family. I assure you, this is a great place to live.






What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

[kkingston57]

Agree with most of the posters about bad results due to the demographics(age) of patients. I was at the ER in July 2021 and ER waiting room was packed with 80+ year old patients and they could not get into the actual ER due to no beds available. Was told that this was Covid related. Adding insult to injury hospital charged ER fee and I never set foot in the actual ER. All of the patients awaited testing, examination etc in the waiting room.

Unfortunately, do feel that this problem is going to get worse with the rise in retirees moving to this area. Most of the devolpoments around here are 55+ communities. Very few upscale communities(that doctors would be attacted to) being built that are for under 55 years old people.

On the bright side, if you do have a serious medical condition and/or need a very specialized doctor Shands is an alternative.

[biker1]

...

[giorgio1948]

So, who and where has the highest scores?

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

[christine J Toft]

My family member also had a horrible experience. Totally misread X-Rays. And I do mean TOTALLY! Transferred to the hospital in Ocala for the care really needed and a much better outcome. Errors such as these can be life threatening. I could give other stories of experiences there..enough said.

[kendi]

Notice the number of people say they had a “bad” experience but don’t elaborate. Was it really bad or are they just a complainer? I know people who have good experiences there.

One thing TV us doing to improve healthcare is building the new medical campus south of the turnpike. It will be a research and teaching facility which I hear brings in the top doctors and the most up to date care. The goal (I read) is for it to be a top ranked medical facility.

Also, it is my understanding that the numbers you are looking at lag behind a couple of years. I have heard that since UF took over TV hospital care has improved significantly. Can’t vouch for that personally though since I’ve never been there.

[JMintzer]

Notice the number of people say they had a “bad” experience but don’t elaborate. Was it really bad or are they just a complainer? I know people who have good experiences there.

Anecdotes are anecdotal...

[A-2-56]

Sure we would all like to have the best, but things don’t work that way.
You have decided to trust this data and that is great, one needs data to come to a decision.
If I were you and things are as you stated, just waiting for more deaths caused by horrendous healthcare, don’t move here. It is part of the package.
As they say, figures don’t lie but liars do figure. How the data is processed can be a means of screwing the results as many here have stated.

[Villages Kahuna]

TVRH is the worst rated hospital within 75 miles. I had a well-known primary care doctor tell me that if circumstances resulted in me waking up to find myself in TVRH, that I should call a cab and get out of there ASAP.

UF has announced that they intend to make TVRH a teaching hospital, bringing in 15 new residents every year beginning in 2024. Obviously, if there are residents, there has to be experienced doctors to teach them. The reason the program doesn’t begin until ‘24 is to give UF the time for an aggressive nationwide recruiting program to bring lots of high quality, experienced doctors into TVRH.

Their plan is based on statistics indicating that more than half of residents choose to practice in the state in which they did their residencies. They’re hoping that by offering residencies here, some of the residents will “stick” and choose to practice here. The plan better work out the whole idea of building a large teaching hospital in the south end of The Villages can’t work.

[BEETHOVENMIKEY]

We had very bad experience where our dad died at Leesburg and TVH and we swear we'll never go to either, even with management/owner change.
We've had several elective procedures done up at Ocala/West Marion Hospital Center on Rt 200, and we love them. It's well staffed, attitudes of staff is fantastic and we found the medical treatment great.
On our emergency medical directives that we carry with us and in the house, we specifically state we want to go to West Marion Hospital. It's only 35 minutes from us, here on the north side (compared to 15 minutes to TVH). So, not bad.
Yes...TVH (and Lessburg) has a higher death rate experience, but it's the BAD experiences of those that made it out alive that attribute to much of the bad ratings. It's going to take years to build up the confidence and favorable opinions (ratings) of the facilities

[justjim]

A higher percentage of older people typically means a higher percentage of sicker people, which typically leads to a higher percentage of "less than desirable outcomes"...

This explanation is spot on IMHO.

[eschiavo]

AGE SHOULDN’T DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF CARE !!! A few years ago they were rated a 1 and one of the worse hospitals in the US. If I can find the article will post it. A Few weeks ago was in West Marion hospital the care was remarkable and top notch. You don’t know what excellent care is until you experience it. Of the two hospitals Leesburg is somewhat better. Don’t think Shands was able to turn the care around due to staffing problems. On the positive side and in all fairness there are some good nurses who really do care 👍…we just need more of them.

[golfing eagles]

AGE SHOULDN’T DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF CARE !!! A few years ago they were rated a 1 and one of the worse hospitals in the US. If I can find the article will post it. A Few weeks ago was in West Marion hospital the care was remarkable and top notch. You don’t know what excellent care is until you experience it. Of the two hospitals Leesburg is somewhat better. Don’t think Shands was able to turn the care around due to staffing problems. On the positive side and in all fairness there are some good nurses who really do care 👍…we just need more of them.

If only that were true, but it's not.
When the metrics that CMS uses to measure "quality" of care,(and the validity of that measurement is a whole different discussion), is dependent on mortality and readmission data, age plays a huge role in the "rating". You will also find that large inner city public hospitals rate very low as well---because the patient population in their catchment area generally presents with more advanced disease, they are less likely to comply with follow up instructions and visits, and have multiple other co-morbidities and lifestyle disadvantages.

Not to dive into the CMS ratings too deeply, generally they have been outcome based on 4 conditions, usually CHF(congestive heart failure), CAP(community acquired pneumonitis), CVA (stroke), and sepsis(bacteremia whether community acquired or nosocomial(hospital acquired)). They throw in some measurements of post-op complications, medication "errors" (which generally are not errors at all), and of course readmissions and mortality. The system depends on the hospital itself reporting their data to the government, and frankly some hospitals(generally the larger, better funded ones) are very adept at the manner in which they gather and report their data. Also hospitals that are more or less protected from state and CMS oversight whether for administrative or political reasons do better in ratings(the only examples I have first hand knowledge of is the NYC Health and Hosp Corp facilities. Since they were more or less exempt from NY state oversight, inspections and penalties, they generally didn't even bother to report their data, leading to a 0.00% complication rate and 100% compliance:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:). Furthermore, there is generally about a 2-3 year lag before one could see any movement in these ratings.

Bottom line: These "ratings" are not necessarily an accurate measurement of the "quality" of a hospital

[tophcfa]

If only that were true, but it's not.
When the metrics that CMS uses to measure "quality" of care,(and the validity of that measurement is a whole different discussion), is dependent on mortality and readmission data, age plays a huge role in the "rating". You will also find that large inner city public hospitals rate very low as well---because the patient population in their catchment area generally presents with more advanced disease, they are less likely to comply with follow up instructions and visits, and have multiple other co-morbidities and lifestyle disadvantages.

Not to dive into the CMS ratings too deeply, generally they have been outcome based on 4 conditions, usually CHF(congestive heart failure), CAP(community acquired pneumonitis), CVA (stroke), and sepsis(bacteremia whether community acquired or nosocomial(hospital acquired)). They throw in some measurements of post-op complications, medication "errors" (which generally are not errors at all), and of course readmissions and mortality. The system depends on the hospital itself reporting their data to the government, and frankly some hospitals(generally the larger, better funded ones) are very adept at the manner in which they gather and report their data. Also hospitals that are more or less protected from state and CMS oversight whether for administrative or political reasons do better in ratings(the only examples I have first hand knowledge of is the NYC Health and Hosp Corp facilities. Since they were more or less exempt from NY state oversight, inspections and penalties, they generally didn't even bother to report their data, leading to a 0.00% complication rate and 100% compliance:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:). Furthermore, there is generally about a 2-3 year lag before one could see any movement in these ratings.

Bottom line: These "ratings" are not necessarily an accurate measurement of the "quality" of a hospital

Agreed that the “ratings” are not necessarily an accurate measurement of the “quality” of a hospital. However, the horrific experiences of the many Villagers, who have had the unfortunate need to find out first hand the “quality” of the Villages Hospital, is an accurate measurement. I for one can not imagine it possible to have a worse experience than what I had at the Villages Hospital. I don’t need to look at some ratings metrics to come to the blatantly obvious conclusion that the Villages Hospital absolutely $ucks.

[Papa_lecki]

What's ironic is UF Shands in Gainesville is a excellent hospital.

Median age Gainesville = 26.3
Average Age The Villages = 71 or 72

Wonder where the better health outcomes will be?

[Dana1963]

Notice the number of people say they had a “bad” experience but don’t elaborate. Was it really bad or are they just a complainer? I know people who have good experiences there.

One thing TV us doing to improve healthcare is building the new medical campus south of the turnpike. It will be a research and teaching facility which I hear brings in the top doctors and the most up to date care. The goal (I read) is for it to be a top ranked medical facility.

Also, it is my understanding that the numbers you are looking at lag behind a couple of years. I have heard that since UF took over TV hospital care has improved significantly. Can’t vouch for that personally though since I’ve never been there.
If you read the Daily Sun it’s very good propaganda for TVH. Two years is an eternity waiting for better medical care.

[joelfmi]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!One of the most important reason for seniors to move to an area55+ community I think is health care for seniors. I could never buy at TV for this terrible reason. Most of the stuff said is made of smoke and mirrors. If you like golf and if possible to get a tee time and like cowds thats the place to buy otherwise move on.

[Bjeanj]

One of the most important reason for seniors to move to an area55+ community I think is health care for seniors. I could never buy at TV for this terrible reason. Most of the stuff said is made of smoke and mirrors. If you like golf and if possible to get a tee time and like cowds thats the place to buy otherwise move on.

Based on what you said, it makes me wonder why you are even on TOTV. What’s your interest? I’m curious.

[DaleDivine]

We had very bad experience where our dad died at Leesburg and TVH and we swear we'll never go to either, even with management/owner change.
We've had several elective procedures done up at Ocala/West Marion Hospital Center on Rt 200, and we love them. It's well staffed, attitudes of staff is fantastic and we found the medical treatment great.
On our emergency medical directives that we carry with us and in the house, we specifically state we want to go to West Marion Hospital. It's only 35 minutes from us, here on the north side (compared to 15 minutes to TVH). So, not bad.
Yes...TVH (and Lessburg) has a higher death rate experience, but it's the BAD experiences of those that made it out alive that attribute to much of the bad ratings. It's going to take years to build up the confidence and favorable opinions (ratings) of the facilities

Sorry for your loss but you say he died at Leesburg AND TVH???

:shocked::shocked::ohdear:

[Gmaf6]

I've never been to The Villages UF Hospital but in the last 10 months have been to UF Shands twice and Leesburg once. I received excellent care in both places - from Doctors, to Nurses, to Admitting and beyond. It's true that many are older - also, CoVid has taken its toll on staffing. I understand that UF recently acquired both TV Hospital as well as Leesburg. It takes time to make changes when one acquires a new business or corporation, so let's give them the time to do so. They are also building a new teaching hospital in the Southern Oaks area so that should help.

[Vikingjunior]

Median age Gainesville = 26.3
Average Age The Villages = 71 or 72

Wonder where the better health outcomes will be?

It's not about outcomes, it's about quality of care. This is not a comparison of how many people die in TVH vs Shands. I’ve been to both hospitals and TVH doesn't even come close.

If you want to make the comparison that Shands is a Trauma Center and TVH is not, that is fair, but don't try to throw age into this.

[golfing eagles]

It's not about outcomes, it's about quality of care. This is not a comparison of how many people die in TVH vs Shands. I’ve been to both hospitals and TVH doesn't even come close.

If you want to make the comparison that Shands is a Trauma Center and TVH is not, that is fair, but don't try to throw age into this.

But he was absolutely correct to "throw age into it". The metrics that CMS uses to rate the "quality" of hospitals is partially dependent on mortality and readmission data, both of which are much, much higher with a more aged patient population.

[Bogie Shooter]

One of the most important reason for seniors to move to an area55+ community I think is health care for seniors. I could never buy at TV for this terrible reason. Most of the stuff said is made of smoke and mirrors. If you like golf and if possible to get a tee time and like cowds thats the place to buy otherwise move on.

Based on what you said, it makes me wonder why you are even on TOTV. What’s your interest? I’m curious.

Nobody here is likely to miss you:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Hey Joe, went and looked at your past posts. Sure were/are a vast number of uninformed and false slamming of just about everything.

[BlueStarAirlines]

I agree with the above comment, there may be a bias in the CMS 'grading' system due to the very large older population.

I initially thought the same thing, but since I have family that is down in Sun City Center, FL I looked at their hospital. Ranked much higher with a just as old population. Their hospital is smaller, which makes sense since it is a smaller location.

If what everyone is reporting is accurate regarding the long waits in the ER, etc, that is a staffing and protocol issue. I'm wondering if the re-hospitalization rates are an indication of folks being discharged too soon. Either issue points to a management and poor protocol adherence.

[Papa_lecki]

It's not about outcomes, it's about quality of care. This is not a comparison of how many people die in TVH vs Shands. I’ve been to both hospitals and TVH doesn't even come close.

If you want to make the comparison that Shands is a Trauma Center and TVH is not, that is fair, but don't try to throw age into this.

Thanks, I just assumed since the original post referenced a rating based on health outcomes, the purpose was health outcomes.
“The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov. “

[coralway]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!






Don't get sick - that's your best bet if you live here.

[BiPartisan]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

If your only concern about The Villages is the hospital rating, then don't come. You seem to be a good fit since you started complaining even before living here. Personally I have been at the The Villages hospital twice, both times excellent experience.

[Vikingjunior]

Thanks, I just assumed since the original post referenced a rating based on health outcomes, the purpose was health outcomes.
“The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov. “
It's actually called a "5-star QUALITY rating system" do you think they're so dumb that they don't realize some hospitals are in senior communities which would lead to poorer outcomes. Come on.

[John41]

But he was absolutely correct to "throw age into it". The metrics that CMS uses to rate the "quality" of hospitals is partially dependent on mortality and readmission data, both of which are much, much higher with a more aged patient population.

If the proper multivariate statistical model is formulated then the “score” will be adjusted to reflect different population age or other biases. Of course that assumes the government knows what it is doing.

[HORNET]

Had to use The Village hospital several times, I can’t say anything negative, and I get very defensive of those who have to find fault either The Village hospital. I don’t even want to say what I would like to reply to you

[NotGolfer]

I've been a pt. at TVH a number of times (2x/for surgery) and the care was fine. The ER as others stated really needs an over-hauling but from what I've heard they aren't run by TVH but have traveling nurses and drs. With Covid....the shortages of help is evident. I was just there about 4 wks ago and the ER experience was less-than. The care up stairs on the floor was good however. I had been told my issue would have been "life-threatening" if I'd not come in when I did, so when you hear words like that one is just grateful to be treated. My other half also has been a pt. at both hospitals and his care was very good. Remember T.V. was built in a rural area and NOT a metro-area of FL. Just saying....that you won't get a "Class A" hospital in a rural area. IF that's what you wanted, then maybe moving here wasn't in your best interest. It takes time for things to happen.....hospitals being built for one with people to staff it. I've noticed how people tend to want what they want, WHEN they want it. LIFE doesn't work that way.

[MandoMan]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.

*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

On one rating scale, all the hospitals in Ocala and the Villages get B ratings, largely because of having too many nosocomial infections—a hospital-acquired infection. Certainly older people are more likely to get these because they often have less competent immune systems, but also because they are more likely to be in the hospital longer for the same surgery or medical issue. Every day counts.

The solution is fanatical, operating-room level cleanliness throughout a hospital, not only among nurses but kitchen personnel and housekeeping staff. This takes a lot of training, a willingness to do something different and more difficult, and intelligence. When I was seventeen, I dropped out of high school and worked as a janitor in an operating room, somI learned how to clean at this level. Then, six months later, I became an operating room technician (scrub nurse), and I learned even more. Then a couple years later I became the surgical supervisor at a hospital in Africa with a 50% surgical infection rate. Within a few months, I had that down to 2%.

Most hospitals have infection review committees to figure out how an infection started and spread. However, training takes a lot of time and money and knowledge of technique.

The other big problem at all of these B-rated hospitals is doctors doing certain reviewed procedures such as coronary bypass or hip replacement who don’t do very many per year. The review boards know that a doctor who does a difficult surgery only half a dozen times a year usually is less proficient than one who does, say, six total hips per week.

The closest A-rated hospital is AdventHealth-Waterman. That’s where I go.

[Mrs. B]

I came from a Magnet, 5-star hospital 50 miles south of Chicago and am disappointed in the ratings for these hospitals. The Villages Hosp had just gotten a 1-star rating 2 years ago and have since been bought out by UF. These ratings are based on data from couple years past so I can only hope that the ratings continue to climb under UF. The hospital CEO is speaking at a VHA event on Dec. 8 which I would love to go to but am not a member (I might join just to listen to her presentation!)

[Djean1981]

I've read the Yelp and Google reviews (there are over 300), they are terrifying. :(

[Djean1981]

Yes the hundreds of Google and Yelp reviews are terrifying. :(.

[jimmy D]

Since you are not living here as of now. Wait another 15 years or so and then come with your list.

[PennBF]

I did have a bad experience at the Hospital. First time spent 15+ hours in Emergency Room
and second time another 15+ hours in ER. The question raised by the Poster is what is going on? Answer: Either there is not enough money to run an acceptable hospital, or Management charged with that responsibility do not know how to run an acceptable hospital and last, is the controlling team is trying to just grab the cash and run? Which is it? You pick which or other excuse??:ohdear:

[csue925@gmail.com]

UF has only had control of TV and Leesburg for < 12 months. It takes 3-5 years for new management to make a major impact on quality of care and outcome scores. You will be surprised at the changes that are set to come. In the meantime if you want more quality you will need to go to other UF Facilities such as Shands, Tampa General or Jacksonville which are listed no. 3,2,1 in the state respectively as top hospitals. So we are in a waiting game. You also can try the Orlando Hospital system. It also is top rated. As someone who has been in hospital management and new here we will be going to Shands. I have colleagues who worked there who were top their national professional societies and I have great respect for them. I also received my doctorate from UF in 2000 and was trained by their leaders. I have great respect for them. Having spent almost 30 years in the Houston Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world and home to many of the top hospitals in the US and world, UF is a decent system. Give them time to make improvements.

[aces_04]

Some upper level management was “let go” recently. That’s all I know

[Fenster]

I am not sure how the rating system works, but regardless of age or health I believe the desired outcome for anyone having to go to a hospital is to be in a sanitary and welcoming environment, to be seen by competent professionals in a timely manner, and to be properly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, my experience at the Villages Hospital was the exact opposite. I spent approximately 11 1/2 hours in an absolutely filthy waiting room, most of the time with an IV port in my arm that wasn’t hooked up to the fluids which I desperately needed. The only restroom available was probably the most disgusting public restroom I ever had to use. The environment was the opposite of welcoming. I was so sick I was in serious risk of death, and no, it wasn’t Covid. All I did was wait and wait and wait, the whole time in total agony. At one point I fell out of the chair I was trying to stay upright in and passed out on the floor. I am not sure how long I was on the floor before I came too, but I am guessing it was at least 45 minutes. No one ever even came over to ask how I was or if I needed help? When an incompetent doctor finally misdiagnosed me, I was subsequently mistreated and sent home to die. I was in no shape to drive, let alone take care of myself, and desperately needed to be admitted to intensive care. Despite that, they sent me on my way to drive home in my golf cart at midnight. I still can’t believe I somehow made it home without killing myself or someone else.

Fortunately, my wife arrived at our Villages home two days later and brought me to a real hospital, North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. We went to a stand alone ER affiliated with the hospital. The triage nurse took one look at me and within 5 minutes I was in a bed with a doctor at my side running a bunch of tests. After the doctor evaluated me, she made a phone call and I was in an Ambulance and on my way to an already assigned room in their critical care unit where I spent the next 8 days. What a great hospital, they saved my life. That’s how things are supposed to work. That was last June and now I am back to even better than I was before I got sick. I have always taken great care of myself, but a close brush with the grim reaper now has me doubling down on my exercise, diet, etc…

There is no grade low enough for me to give to the Villages Hospital!

This was a very enlightening story. Thank you for sharing!

[asianthree]

I did have a bad experience at the Hospital. First time spent 15+ hours in Emergency Room
and second time another 15+ hours in ER. The question raised by the Poster is what is going on? Answer: Either there is not enough money to run an acceptable hospital, or Management charged with that responsibility do not know how to run an acceptable hospital and last, is the controlling team is trying to just grab the cash and run? Which is it? You pick which or other excuse??:ohdear:

ED filled with 70% non emergency patients. Happens to even the best of hospitals.

[Michael G.]

https://www.**************.com/2021/11/06/uf-health-announces-2-million-purchase-of-property-in-summerfield/

[golfing eagles]

I did have a bad experience at the Hospital. First time spent 15+ hours in Emergency Room
and second time another 15+ hours in ER. The question raised by the Poster is what is going on? Answer: Either there is not enough money to run an acceptable hospital, or Management charged with that responsibility do not know how to run an acceptable hospital and last, is the controlling team is trying to just grab the cash and run? Which is it? You pick which or other excuse??:ohdear:

Staffing

[ChrisTee]

Thank you all! For sharing different viewpoints, I appreciate them. Also appreciate that most comments are respectful. It's cool + helpful.

Csue925 and Village Kahuna... I guess we can expect improvement and change as UF moves forward. I will head up to Shands if needed for cancer care and non-emergent issues...but TVH needs to improve because a closer hospital that's decent is very important, it may be a lifesaver in an acute (heart attack etc.) situation.

I don't think anyone has mentioned TVH's *bad* patient satisfaction scores.
They're LOW. Also support staff - very low nursing staff levels compared to other similar hospitals, and TVH has been run that way for years - cutting corners.

We need to talk about these issues - publicly - so that the good folks in TV get the care they deserve. Again thanks for the good discussion!


UF has only had control of TV and Leesburg for < 12 months. It takes 3-5 years for new management to make a major impact on quality of care and outcome scores. You will be surprised at the changes that are set to come. In the meantime if you want more quality you will need to go to other UF Facilities such as Shands, Tampa General or Jacksonville which are listed no. 3,2,1 in the state respectively as top hospitals. So we are in a waiting game. You also can try the Orlando Hospital system. It also is top rated. As someone who has been in hospital management and new here we will be going to Shands. I have colleagues who worked there who were top their national professional societies and I have great respect for them. I also received my doctorate from UF in 2000 and was trained by their leaders. I have great respect for them. Having spent almost 30 years in the Houston Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world and home to many of the top hospitals in the US and world, UF is a decent system. Give them time to make improvements.

[jojo]

I have volunteered at TVRH for six years. In addition to playing the piano in the lobby, I visit the patients who were newly admitted. The protocols for my visit are to ask if they are familiar with the communications board in the room that list their nurses, doctors, tests etc., if they know how to work the controls on the bed, tv, whether they were admitted through the ER and if so how was that experience, and then asking them about their nursing care. Almost all of the serious issues that I hear are related to long waits in the ER. There are concerns with doctors, particularly communication. Almost without exception, they rate their nursing care highly. If there are concerns or issues, we try to get them addressed immediately.

[ChrisTee]

Thank you for your service.

I have volunteered at TVRH for six years. In addition to playing the piano in the lobby, I visit the patients who were newly admitted. The protocols for my visit are to ask if they are familiar with the communications board in the room that list their nurses, doctors, tests etc., if they know how to work the controls on the bed, tv, whether they were admitted through the ER and if so how was that experience, and then asking them about their nursing care. Almost all of the serious issues that I hear are related to long waits in the ER. There are concerns with doctors, particularly communication. Almost without exception, they rate their nursing care highly. If there are concerns or issues, we try to get them addressed immediately.

[MEbner2805]

What can be done about the very low 2 CMS rating for TVH hospital (UF)? I'd like to move to TV but can't figure out what is being done to raise it.

The CMS (Medicare) rating is based on health outcomes + is used across the US. It's on Medicare dot gov.



*Even if you had a good experience, the facts - the data for TVH are POOR. The facts are that many more people have very poor health outcomes at TV Hospital compared to hospitals across the USA.

Are you OK with low quality care/bad health outcomes per CMS? The infection rate is awful as are many other scientific, CMS measures of care/outcomes at TVH.

There are many smart people in TV. What if you or loved one need a CMS rated 3, 4, or 5 star hospital. Today - Now? Why shouldn't you have that basic option in TV - locally? The good life + fun of TV pales pretty quick if you or loved one suffers or dies due to lack of an average or better rated hospital in town.

CMS - Medicare provides a real picture of the quality of care TV UF hospital provides. It's not a good picture. There is no good excuse - how many TVers have suffered or died? Who's next?

Will the rating improve? I hope so! TV is otherwise a very cool place to be!

New owners of TV Hospital here and it takes years to be evaluated and raise that score. Villagers go to 4 other hospitals nearby and are happy with them. No worries on that as the chance you would visit one for a surgery are slim!!
We have several stand-alone ERs now to take care of our emergencies. The urgent care places are all great. It’s not as bad here as the rumors say! Come on down! You won’t regret it!