A Nightmare at TV Hospital

[Michael G.]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.

[Garywt]

The hospital is expected to improve with the newer ownership but I have not heard of any improvements over the past couple years.

[Bogie Shooter]

Recent rumors or rumors over 7 years?

[Toymeister]

Bottom line: use the Leesburg hospital.

All of Florida's retirement belt sees a surge in population during winter. Those surges place pressure on the supporting infrastructure including hospitals.

Many of the hospital horror stories come from this timeframe. Ocala also is in the retiree belt, albeit not as intense as TV.

The good news is there is similar statistical 'age smoothing' demographics population in Leesburg and it's hospital, similar to Ocala. By age smoothing, I mean less of a retiree surge who need more medical care. The newest housing areas are almost equal distant to Leesburg as to the TV hospital.

[Michael G.]

Bottom line: use the Leesburg hospital.

All of Florida's retirement belt sees a surge in population during winter. Those surges place pressure on the supporting infrastructure including hospitals.

Many of the hospital horror stories come from this timeframe. Ocala also is in the retiree belt, albeit not as intense as TV.

The good news is there is similar statistical 'age smoothing' demographics population in Leesburg and it's hospital, similar to Ocala. By age smoothing, I mean less of a retiree surge who need more medical care. The newest housing areas are almost equal distant to Leesburg as to the TV hospital.

Thanks, something to keep in mind for the future

[tophcfa]

It’s not a rumor, it’s real. I have experienced the horrible nightmare. And it’s not limited to the busiest times of the year, happened in early June.

[PugMom]

i think all the medical facilities run into trouble @ times, just from the arrival of new citizens. we are growing fast, idk if the hospitals can handle them all. the addition of a new hosp. is a welcome sight:bigbow:

[gatorbill1]

hospitals in Ocala, including Advent are probably better than TV or Leesburg, but if you really need an emergency room I would use TV, have had good care there twice when I needed it.

[JGibson]

I would go to Shands in Gainesville if it was life or death.

[Number 10 GI]

My wife has been treated numerous times at the Leesburg hospital emergency room. She and I have no complaints with their service. There was only one problem, she had to stay in the emergency room all night before they had a room in the hospital for her. The hospital was full of Covid patients and there just wasn't an available room. She has been admitted 3 times to the hospital and the care and compassion of the staff was as good as any hospital we have had experience with.

[JohnN]

It’s not a rumor, it’s real. I have experienced the horrible nightmare. And it’s not limited to the busiest times of the year, happened in early June.

I second that motion, been there done that, won't do it again.

[ThirdOfFive]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.
We knew about the (allegedly) relatively poor quality of medical care in TV years before we moved here. It is all relative however. We moved here from near Rochester, MN, and after having been served for years through the Mayo Clinic, everything else is going to come up short.

It hasn’t been all bad though. Word-of-mouth led me to doctoring originally with Premier Medical Services in TV, which was NOT a pleasant experience. My doctor seemed competent enough but the support staff managed to screw things up numerous times, to the point I told my wife that I’d be surprised if everything went RIGHT at a visit. But I switched to Cleveland Medical Care and things seem to be better, though I’m still withholding judgment on that. On a more positive vein, dental and ophthalmologist services have been excellent.

As to the TV hospital, I’ve never been there, so I cannot comment on it. Several people I’ve talked to though have had some pretty sketchy experiences with them however, so in an Emergency I’d probably go to Ocala or Leesburg—if I have that choice. I have heard however that the orthopedics dept. at The Villages hospital is first-rate, and as will be probably needing another knee replacement in the near future I might be finding out firsthand.

[justjim]

Only been to visit friends. Shands twice, Leesburg twice and TVR once. All were clean and my observation was Leesburg and TVR were short staffed. Confirmed by the patients. Shands seemed to have more medical personnel, however, being a teaching hospital makes a difference.

[Jayhawk]

All were clean and my observation was Leesburg and TVR were short staffed. Confirmed by the patients. Shands seemed to have more medical personnel, however, being a teaching hospital makes a difference.

That's because people don't go to Shands for a toothache or a hangnail. If only people with a real emergency went to the ER, The Villages hospital would not have to live with the negativity.

[OrangeCrush]

Great conversations and insight. Keep in mind that all hospitals should have some sort of professional standards accreditation and it should be visibly posted for public view. If you have an issue with the facility you can contact the accrediting body and report your concern. You can also get online to find out info about hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc, to see if their accredited, what their score, etc, and what problems they've been reported for. You should be checking up on your doctors, medical facilities, etc, to ensure you're getting the best care for you and loved ones. Stay informed and stay well!

[tophcfa]

I would go to Shands in Gainesville if it was life or death.

North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville is also an excellent option.

[Nucky]

The ER at The Villages Hospital is the main culprit. I didn't think I would survive until it was my turn. In their defense, the place was a nuthouse that day.

Once I got a room, no better care anywhere. Depending on what the problem is next time I think I would choose someplace else. It was like the Wild West in the ER. Extremely Unprofessional.

[kidnerkim]

Do not go to Villages hospital. Just had my mother there Oct. 25th & was appalled. Ocala or Gainesville are better choices.

[Sabella]

It’s not a rumor, it’s real. I have experienced the horrible nightmare. And it’s not limited to the busiest times of the year, happened in early June.

I also experienced the horrible nightmare in August ( Er not busy)Insufficient or lack of proper medical care has no excuses no matter how busy. If I told you my experience you would not believe it. Stay away.

[Worldseries27]

hospitals in ocala, including advent are probably better than tv or leesburg, but if you really need an emergency room i would use tv, have had good care there twice when i needed it.
TV HOSPITAL spent 4 days there, private room, no issues

[Rwirish]

And most of those past were and are untrue.

[Ele201]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please. Earlier this year, I had an emergency and went to TV Brownwood hospital twice within two days. The first visit went fine, but the second, not at all. A nurse (not an RN) was physically abusive. I’m still reeling from it. Never had an experience like that before. I spoke directly to the hospital administrator about it, he listened, but didn’t offer much support. Would not go back there.

[ROCKETMAN]

I went to the er at villages hospital in august of this year. Had a sore throat so bad I couldn’t swallow. Got there at 630pm. Needed a cat scan and 3 blood tests. At midnight was diagnosed with a abscess tonsil. They said they had no ent dr.or sent me to shands in ambulance at 2am. It was crowded so I understand it taking that long. The care at shands was excellent and in two days they had me good and went home.

[Maybelle]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.

I have had a bad experience at The Villages Hospital. Drive to Ocala if you can.

[Pres1939]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.
Statements about poor service are true, based on my experience.
Late last year, my son had vomited and passed out and we called 911. They took him to the TV hospital. His wife told them he had recently had a heart attack and gave the ER his Rx list. He was put in the ER for 2 days. They never removed his vomit-soaked clothes. After 2 days, he was admitted and moved to a room. He was there for 3 more days; then discharged after many tests. He was told they could not determine the source of his problem.
While he was there, he was asked to provide a urine sample and put the cup in the bathroom. The next day, he was told the results of his urine tests. Interesting, because the cup was still in the bathroom - untouched.
Before he was discharged, the hospital gave him papers to sign, stating that he was Not Admitted. He refused and eventually they discharged him without signing.
Bottom line - when he returned to his doctors in south Florida, they found the dosages of two of his new medicines he was prescribed after his heart attack had to be adjusted. Something, I guess, the TV hospital never considered.
I won’t be using this hospital !!!

[jmsturm]

Couple of weeks ago we had a medical emergency. Went to Villages hospital. Went inside to get wheel chair. About 10 - 15 people in waiting room. Left and went to ER for Ocala Hospital on 466A. Taken in immediately. Taken to West Marion Hospital in Ocala for two night stay. Good outcome and experience under stressful situation. West Marion Hospital was great. Would recommend.

[erojohn]

I haven’t had to spend a great deal of time at area hospitals but having being admitted for surgery at Leesburg and TV both times I had excellent care. Great outcomes on both occasions. I would not hesitate to go back to these facilities. I cannot compare as these are the only ones I have had contact with. The one at TV was right at the switch to UF and the computer system was hacked so everything had to be done on paper. Everything was done right as far as I am concerned.

[DaleDivine]

i think all the medical facilities run into trouble @ times, just from the arrival of new citizens. we are growing fast, idk if the hospitals can handle them all. the addition of a new hosp. is a welcome sight:bigbow:

If hospitals are understaffed now, Where are they going to get the staff for the new hospital??
:shrug::shrug:

[NotGolfer]

We've been here more than a decade. BOTH of us have used both TVH and Leesburg....several times. It's the ER and folks who use it for sore throats, sprained ankles etc. I've been in TVH ER innumerable times, even during "high season" and it was jammed. What many don't understand is there are ambulances bringing in people as well AND everyone needs to be triaged. They have certain levels these are in and it's worst cases 1st then down to the others. IF the place is slammed----well you should get the picture (hopefully). Add to this being short-staffed! NOT the hospital's fault as they can't magically produce someone to accomodate. Think about it...TV isn't the only community they service. It's regional PLUS an aging community. We were here when the hospital was brand new (they later built an addition). TV was more like a small town back then and I'd say, considered in a more rural area. We've grown exponentially so they're working to keep up with that. People might say "well then stop building"....good in theory BUT I'd bet where y'all come from...those areas are growing and changing as well. Y'all moved here for a reason!

[Gullwing]

Great conversations and insight. Keep in mind that all hospitals should have some sort of professional standards accreditation and it should be visibly posted for public view. If you have an issue with the facility you can contact the accrediting body and report your concern. You can also get online to find out info about hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc, to see if their accredited, what their score, etc, and what problems they've been reported for. You should be checking up on your doctors, medical facilities, etc, to ensure you're getting the best care for you and loved ones. Stay informed and stay well!

I suspect that you know there is an accreditation process. It’s done by CMS. Hospitals fear the days that CMS shows up. Hospitals are rated 1-5. This rating must be posted. This includes phone numbers and addresses to contact CMS. Last I knew TV hospital was a 2.

[gbinienda@yahoo.com]

I agree!

[OhioBuckeye]

Well if the state government wants people to keep coming to Florida & spend tens of millions of dollars a year they need good health care. When we lived there 4 years ago TV hospital was not good because I had to get some check ups with my 5 way heart bypass. They made me sit in a waiting room with people puking with the Flu. Fortunately I came out alright. Very impressed with hospital but was very impressed with the way Drs. & hospital staff. I started going to Leesburg!

[Heytubes]

Since the University of Florida purchased, Shands, The Villages and Leesburg hospitals, things have improved and continue to improve. I spent last summer in both TV and Leesburg and was treated with excellent professional care. Staffing shortages at times can cause issues, but the care was first class.

[Kathryn Putt]

As an ER/Critical Care RN, it depends on what your problem is. I hear Leesburg is best for cardiac. My friend has a severe ankle fracture & got horrible care in Ocala
The EMT's are great for guidance.

[vickersbond]

How often have we heard that? New management does not change things. Excellent management changes things and resolves problems. I was a hospital administrator in the Air Force for several years and I had two main goals at each medical facility I served at. Find and correct inherited problems and leave the facility much better that it was when I arrived. It worked.

[Marine1974]

It appears that due to rude unappreciated patients, Covid exposure risks from the unvaccinated, nurses and doctors are leaving their careers which puts a strain on our healthcare. So be nice and respectful to the staff which might not have that much experience in their field .

[arickis]

There are many horror stories about the villages ER, and after personal experience, it is much worse. In the course of one day we experienced people sleeping on the floor of the er waiting room due to 40 people waiting for rooms. We experienced contaminated blood cultures and poorly done x rays causing unnecessary hospital stays. We experienced rude behavior from the staff when trying to ask simple questions like "when might we be able to get a hospital bed?". Telling us sarcastically that people have been waiting in the halls and the waiting rooms for 48 hours for a bed is unacceptable. Visiting the villages ER was like visiting a third world country ER. The ER should be shut down.

[ONTAP15]

hospitals in Ocala, including Advent are probably better than TV or Leesburg, but if you really need an emergency room I would use TV, have had good care there twice when I needed it.

Last year I had to deal with a serious infection and I had EXCELLENT medical care. The room was clean and the staff was highly professional and caring. I have nothing but good things to say about this medical facility.

[PugMom]

If hospitals are understaffed now, Where are they going to get the staff for the new hospital??
:shrug::shrug:

excellent point! it may be a clone of what we have now, lol

[PugMom]

Statements about poor service are true, based on my experience.
Late last year, my son had vomited and passed out and we called 911. They took him to the TV hospital. His wife told them he had recently had a heart attack and gave the ER his Rx list. He was put in the ER for 2 days. They never removed his vomit-soaked clothes. After 2 days, he was admitted and moved to a room. He was there for 3 more days; then discharged after many tests. He was told they could not determine the source of his problem.
While he was there, he was asked to provide a urine sample and put the cup in the bathroom. The next day, he was told the results of his urine tests. Interesting, because the cup was still in the bathroom - untouched.
Before he was discharged, the hospital gave him papers to sign, stating that he was Not Admitted. He refused and eventually they discharged him without signing.
Bottom line - when he returned to his doctors in south Florida, they found the dosages of two of his new medicines he was prescribed after his heart attack had to be adjusted. Something, I guess, the TV hospital never considered.
I won’t be using this hospital !!!

agree with the lack of personal care. I, myself had to take it upon myself to get my hubby in their shower, dress him in clean clothes & brought my OWN bleach spray to clean off the filthy 'bed' (more like a stretcher from the er) he was in for 2 days straight. i was not amused.

[Michael G.]

I have had a bad experience at The Villages Hospital. Drive to Ocala if you can.

That's what I'm thinking.

[Michael G.]

So be nice and respectful to the staff which might not have that much experience in their field .

Sooo How can you be nice and respectful to a stuff that does not have experience in their field.
They shouldn't be there to begin with.

[Quixote]

I've heard the horror stories about the ER atTV Regional Hospital, and I have no doubt of their veracity. But I have to say that the two times I used the servicea of the ER, both experiences were excellent. Once I was driven in by a family member following a fall that caused.a lot of damage; the other time I was brought in by ambulance after an auto accident caused by a medical blackout.

I once had surgery involving one overnight stay at a supposedly outstanding hospital in New York City whose name most people would know. and expect excellent service. There were 'dust bunnies' under the furniture that moved around in the air conditioning, and the other patient in the room, who had had much more serious surgery and would be there for quite a few more days than I, had his bloody gowns left hanging from the grab bar in the room the entire time I was there.

One doesn't always know....

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Well if the state government wants people to keep coming to Florida & spend tens of millions of dollars a year they need good health care. When we lived there 4 years ago TV hospital was not good because I had to get some check ups with my 5 way heart bypass. They made me sit in a waiting room with people puking with the Flu. Fortunately I came out alright. Very impressed with hospital but was very impressed with the way Drs. & hospital staff. I started going to Leesburg!

If you want that, then you need to have a state government that promotes good health care for EVERYONE, not just seniors, or people who can afford it, or just veterans, or just anything. It's all well and good to say "if you want good health care then you have to pay for it." It's another to be stuck with an emergency in the emergency room, and have to sit with a bunch of poor sick people who can't afford primary care doctors, showing up because the ER isn't allowed to turn them away even though it's not an emergency.

Get everyone healthy. Even the poor, the homeless, the single moms, the babies born to poor folks, teachers, the folks who work three part-time jobs and none of them offer insurance to part-time employees...

the fewer sick people we have, the fewer sick people are stuck in the ER without actual emergencies, and the fewer people you're stuck waiting behind when it's your turn.

And yes that means higher taxes. If every working person had to pay an extra 2 cents per hour, and every property owner had to pay an extra $1 per year, and every landlord had to kick in an extra 10 cents per tenant per year to cover the cost of *basic* medical care for everyone in the country who needed it - including immigrants - who also get sick and show up at emergency rooms...

We'd have enough money to pay for it, and we'd have fewer sick people, and emergency rooms that can handle actual emergencies more efficiently.

And by "basic" medical care I mean a yearly checkup, vaccinations, yearly blood work and nutrition panel, yearly eye test, pap smear, mammogram, prostate exam, yearly dental cleaning and dental x-rays. If they want anything more they are still at the mercy of their health insurance plan, or their own income or charity or other social programs, veterans entitlements, etc. available to them.

Every single person in this country should be *entitled* to the above, whether they can afford it or not.

[Indydealmaker]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.

Everybody has unique expectations. I was at The Villages Hospital for 2 weeks earlier this year with pneumonia. I have zero complaints.

[Pmota]

Since moving here 7 years ago, are the rumors I hear true about TV hospital is run very poorly?
It's overcrowded, dirty, and offers a lot of unprofessional care?

I was there once for a visit a friend and asking in case I need medical care in the future.

If true, maybe driving to Ocala might be a wise choice.

Your Input please.
Advent Health in Ocala.
Great Doctors (cardiology), nurses and the facility is very clean.

[jrzeis@tampabay.rr.com]

I have had not had an issue with them especially after they were taken over by UF Health which is also the same as Leesburg Memorial. For anything big like a heart attack, I go to Leesburg Memorial.

[Villages Kahuna]

Bottom line… DON’T EVER USE THE VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL! It gets the lowest possible ratings of any hospital within 75 miles.

For people in the southern end of TV, you have lots of choices. Advent Health Waterman Hospital in Tavares gets high ratings. For those in the north end, choose from the hospitals in Ocala.

Ask your doctor about TVRH. Mine told me that he had high hopes for improvement when the University of Florida bought both Leesburg and TVRH, but it hasn’t happened.

[jem007fl]

There are many horror stories about the villages ER, and after personal experience, it is much worse. In the course of one day we experienced people sleeping on the floor of the er waiting room due to 40 people waiting for rooms. We experienced contaminated blood cultures and poorly done x rays causing unnecessary hospital stays. We experienced rude behavior from the staff when trying to ask simple questions like "when might we be able to get a hospital bed?". Telling us sarcastically that people have been waiting in the halls and the waiting rooms for 48 hours for a bed is unacceptable. Visiting the villages ER was like visiting a third world country ER. The ER should be shut down.

The villages ER is always my last choice. Had to take my adult son there several times by ambulance. It was so disappointing it was almost beyond comprehension. Now i use the ER in Summerfield or Leesburg ER. You’re right it was like a Third World country ER

[Shimpy]

My wife has been treated numerous times at the Leesburg hospital emergency room. She and I have no complaints with their service. There was only one problem, she had to stay in the emergency room all night before they had a room in the hospital for her. The hospital was full of Covid patients and there just wasn't an available room. She has been admitted 3 times to the hospital and the care and compassion of the staff was as good as any hospital we have had experience with.

I can recommend Leesburg after having 2 open heart surgeries there.

[Velvet]

My uncle died in 2007. My aunt took him to TV Regional hospital previously for appointments. My aunt never had a complaint about The Villages, they lived here since 1990 and loved it, except for the hospital. She was very unhappy with the service then too and the waiting times. When they moved here there were about 8000 residents AND the service was invariably very poor at the regional hospital and throughout the time they lived here. It seems nothing has changed, except there are more people to serve now.

[Inexes@aol.com]

My uncle died in 2007. My aunt took him to TV Regional hospital previously for appointments. My aunt never had a complaint about The Villages, they lived here since 1990 and loved it, except for the hospital. She was very unhappy with the service then too and the waiting times. When they moved here there were about 8000 residents AND the service was invariably very poor at the regional hospital and throughout the time they lived here. It seems nothing has changed, except there are more people to serve now.

Not quite sure I understand....... when we moved to TV in 2001 there was NO hospital here. I believe it opened in 2002 or 2003.

[Velvet]

Not quite sure I understand....... when we moved to TV in 2001 there was NO hospital here. I believe it opened in 2002 or 2003.

My uncle was not sick till later on in his life, I’m not sure when they started going to the regional hospital, but it was before 2007, and the service at the hospital has NEVER been ok. My aunt usually did not complain, this was the first thing about The Villages she complained about. I would ask her why but she has passed away.