Unfortunately the villages hospital

[Snowbirdtobe]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.

[Stu from NYC]

Very disappointing

[gatorbill1]

I am very glad we have it here. How many lives have been saved. I was in there twice and treated very well. I am alive because they were there. I don't care how many stars they get.

[charlie1]

Medicare rates hospitals based on a variety of measures across 5 areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. The 5 measure groups include: Mortality, Safety of care, Readmission, Patient experience, and Timely and effective care. The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed on an identified set of quality measures compared to other hospitals in the U.S.

It would make sense that The Villages Hospital would have a higher Mortality and readmission rate than a normal hospital due to the average age of their patients. Not sure what safety of care encompasses or how it can be rated. I also know that there have been some issues with the ER at Villages Hospital as it relates to insufficient staff to handle demand. Hopefully, it is getting better. However, I will say that I had surgery at the Villages Hospital a couple of months ago and I was impressed with their overall process, the caring and attentive staff, attention to detail, and the overall care that I received during my stay. It was excellent. It was as good or even better than what I recieved in Jacksonville.

Bottom line for me, I am not sure the Medicare ratings are fair to a hospital that specializes in a single age group, no matter what that age group is!

[bsloan1960]

I am very glad we have it here. How many lives have been saved. I was in there twice and treated very well. I am alive because they were there. I don't care how many stars they get.

Your experience is an isolated one compared to the large amounts of data that is used to arrive at the 1 star rating. I'm not good with math- but for example- for every person like you who might give them a top rating, there may be 10 who give it a low rating. These 10 low ratings are important in determining what the potential outcome might be for future visitors. Our hospital up North had a terrible reputation in our community- with people saying things like, "I wouldn't bring my dog there". But in the 55 years I and my family used it we had nothing but excellent care- they even saved my life.

[Topspinmo]

My wife was in there twice. Other than long wait in emergency I have no complains. Most all other emergency hospitals we enter was long wait also.

[JoMar]

Your experience is an isolated one compared to the large amounts of data that is used to arrive at the 1 star rating. I'm not good with math- but for example- for every person like you who might give them a top rating, there may be 10 who give it a low rating. These 10 low ratings are important in determining what the potential outcome might be for future visitors. Our hospital up North had a terrible reputation in our community- with people saying things like, "I wouldn't bring my dog there". But in the 55 years I and my family used it we had nothing but excellent care- they even saved my life.

We have also had positive experiences at TV Hospital and know of positive experiences at Leesburg. Since Shands and TV and Leesburg are owned by the came Company (UF Health), and people can skew statistics I will continue to use my personal experience to guide me.

[tophcfa]

Based on my experience at the Village’s Hospital, a rating of 1 is very generous. On the other hand, I couldn’t give a high enough rating to the North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville. The treatment I got at the two hospitals was like the difference between hell and heaven. North Florida Regional Medical Center managed to save my life despite the Village Hospital’s best efforts to kill me.

[Rwirish]

Data is several years and does not reflect a hospitals “current” operation.

[Berwin]

Some seem to think the rating is based on customer feedback like Amazon or the like. What is actually measured is: 1) Mortality; 2) Safety of care; 3) Readmission; 4) Patient experience; and 5) Timely and effective care

[Rainger99]

The treatment I got at the two hospitals was like the difference between hell and heaven. North Florida Regional Medical Center managed to save my life despite the Village Hospital’s best efforts to kill me.

Can you provide more details as to what the difference was?

[Snowbirdtobe]

The switch to back 1 star occurred since April 2023.
In April the POA had an article that showed a 2 star rating and hospital has fallen back to one star. I will continue to drive past TVH to seek care.
I have been to the HCA ER in Summerfield on 441 and the wait time was less than 5 min!

[midiwiz]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.

If UF is involved it pretty much sucks that's the baseline

[Teemotay]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other
hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.

My mother has been there since Monday morning and she has received AWESOME care from AWESOME staff!! My family is extremely satisfied with the quality of care our mother is receiving at this hospital. My experience with UF here, for mom, and as a patient myself in Gainesville has been top notch!

[augustnotes]

First hand experience with the ER, it is not only the long wait and limited communication with the hospital staff you also deal with apathy. When I last went to the ER I decided to give them a chance to see if it really improved like we were told by the insert in the newspaper by the CEO of the hospital. After waiting four hours to get an x-ray and than another hour waiting for results we were told we could go. The staff walk around like zombies not acting if they care about the patient. The man next to me finally said he was leaving and walked out. When the nurse came out I told her that her patient left and her response was "Oh Well". Our nurse forgot to remove my iv from my arm. I got half way home and realized that I had the iv still in my arm. I thought there is no way I am going back to that place. I so much wanted the ER to be improved, one star is being generous, however I will never go to the village hospital again for emergency services. It is a shame since they are at the best location for all of us in the villages. Final thought, they may be under staffed but there is no reason that the two nurses I dealt with made me feel as if they didn't care if I lived or died. There is no need for apathy from the nursing staff.

[Heytubes]

I’ve been in TVH several times in the past 18 months and have always received excellent care. Staff was always helpful and professional.

[MSGirl]

I am very glad we have it here. How many lives have been saved. I was in there twice and treated very well. I am alive because they were there. I don't care how many stars they get.

I agree! We have over 200,000 residents here in The Villages, most over 55 years of age. No other hospital services one group of people more. I have been to The Villages hospital and received excellent care…even saved my life on one of those visits. And I’ve been to other hospitals in the country, in my lifetime, where the care wasn’t so good, yet, they were rated 5 stars.

[philippe]

just had surgery at hospital.great staff,doctors,beautifull room,very good care,would recommend anytime

[Travilinggal]

Mortality rates and readmission rates indicate failure to provide the right level of care when the patient leaves the hospital. There is a continuum of care that The Villages Health system does not practice strategies to prevent readmissions, patient needs assessment, medication reconciliation, timely follow up appointments, patient education, initiating follow up phone calls, to name a few. If these strategies were properly implemented the mortality rates, defined as death within 28 days of admission would drop. So the entire health system not just the hospital fails our community. The other factor that affects mortality is the “never say die” philosophy. There are good ways to die and bad ways. An acceptance of earlier palliative and hospice care would make sense in an elderly population.

[wisbad1]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.
I go to Shans, not taking any chances with my life

[wamley]

I would imagine its rated on medicaree patients only. That would put all comparosons using the same age category

[SouthJerseyGirl]

UF just sold them the name. Remember when Moffitt came to TV? Again, the name was sild. No real collaboration.

[courtyard]

Spent two weeks at TVH and left quickly after one night the staff left a man down the hall screaming in pain all night. I had the staff help me walk down the hall to make my legs strong enough to get out of that place the next day.

[rogerrice60]

I had two different surgical procedures in June this year and I am very pleased with every aspect of care received as well as all personnel encountered.
I've been in several hospitals in Pennsylvania, Ohio & WV. . I would rate The Villages Hospital better than any I've been to up north.

[Quixote]

The formal guidelines followed in rating hospitals is very different from one's personal experience at those hospitals.

Recently my son was admitted to TVRH's ER with a cardiac issue. I wrote up a description of our experience there (I stayed with him every minute!), and brief as I tried to make it, it's simply too long to post in a thread. If you're interested, please PM me and I'll send it through that channel. Thank you.

Suffice it to say that my son's experience in the ER was the antithesis of my experience in that same ER following an accident more than a dozen years ago....

[Sandy and Ed]

The formal guidelines followed in rating hospitals is very different from one's personal experience at those hospitals.

Recently my son was admitted to TVRH's ER with a cardiac issue. I wrote up a description of our experience there (I stayed with him every minute!), and brief as I tried to make it, it's simply too long to post in a thread. If you're interested, please PM me and I'll send it through that channel. Thank you.

Suffice it to say that my son's experience in the ER was the antithesis of my experience in that same ER following an accident more than a dozen years ago....
Unfortunately this gives the reader absolutely no idea if you are overall thumbs up or thumbs down in your evaluation of current care.

[Travelhunter123]

I go to Shans, not taking any chances with my life

Once you have been to Shans you will never go back to TV hospital

[Arlington2]

We have had two positive major cardiac events cared for at the TV hospital. One was mine and the other was the spouse. One was via the ER at the hospital during peak season resulting in the only issue being bed availability and having to spend a few hours on a gurney in an ER room with hospital admission late in the evening. Responsiveness and attentiveness was excellent in both the ER and hospital. The other event was via the UF ER on CR44. Again, the response at the ER was immediate and excellent leading to a ride to the hospital in an ambulance for emergency surgery and admission for a few days. The hosptal expience was again excellent and a cleaning lady came in daily to disinfect everything. I do not understand the low rating and the venom espoused by some of the posters. Every person that I know who has had TV hospital experience is very positive on their experience.

[ThirdOfFive]

Data is several years and does not reflect a hospitals “current” operation.
True.

Change takes time, and even if this new Director whips the place into (say) four-star line, it won't happen overnight. Personnel changes take time (a LOT of time if there are unions involved), finding new ultra-competent folks is not something that happens instantly, and no matter what positive changes are made and implemented, it will take a loooong time for the positives to start erasing the negatives--especially because the negatives have been many years in the making.

Unfortunately, time is the one thing we geezers have all too little of. A shiny refurbished five-star hospital where the current one now stands might take 15 years, and as I've already outlived my warranty by going on six years now that's not apt to do me much good.

[Frank495]

The rating system does adjust for age...there are NO #1 RATED hospitals in Sun City AZ. There are only 286 #1 rated hospitals in the US. Most of these are in poor areas, reservations or rural areas. They must dump the problem employees and Doctors. Replacement for the are not interested in starting a career in such a poor facility.

[Frank495]

Not true.

[Stu from NYC]

The formal guidelines followed in rating hospitals is very different from one's personal experience at those hospitals.

Recently my son was admitted to TVRH's ER with a cardiac issue. I wrote up a description of our experience there (I stayed with him every minute!), and brief as I tried to make it, it's simply too long to post in a thread. If you're interested, please PM me and I'll send it through that channel. Thank you.

Suffice it to say that my son's experience in the ER was the antithesis of my experience in that same ER following an accident more than a dozen years ago....

Briefly was your experience good or bad?

[OhioBuckeye]

I’m not a judge of hospitals but after I had my 5 way heart bypass. We moved to TV, & the biggest thing my heart surgeon told me was stay clear of anyone that has a virus, & all I needed was a check up, so what does the TV’s hospital do is put me in a waiting room with the flu people but fortunately nobody was puking, but I’m guessing there was 4 people had puke buckets with them. My mistake was I didn’t leave & the waiting room nurses never once offered me a safer place to sit, so finally I decided to sit outside where I thought it was safer! I really thought TV hospital was the #1 hospital in the country, wrong! But the comment I’m addressing this to is exactly right!

[blueash]

Several statements on this thread are wrong. CMS does not only use Medicare data in its rating system. In fact one of the criteria is maternity care related. Some sets of data (https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/hospitals/about-data)are collected only from Medicare enrollment and claims

It is not entirely correct that the rating is based on facts not opinions as 22% of the rating is based on patient experience, (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospital/100290?city=The%20Villages&state=FL&zipcode=32162&measure=hospital-patient-surveys) which is a compilation of several questions asked about the care received both from caregivers and staff. This patient experience survey is adjusted for the mix of patients served so TVH's numbers are not low because they have a lot of old people who can't understand directions.
Communication with doctors
Communication with nurses
Responsiveness of hospital staff
Cleanliness of the hospital
Quietness of the hospital
Communication about medicines
Discharge information
Care transition
Overall rating of hospital
Willingness to recommend hospital

On the question of "Would you recommend this hospital " an extremely low number of persons who received care at TVH said yes, 44% compared to a national average of 69%.

So all of you posting here about how you enjoyed your stay at TVH, you are in the minority.

[Plinker]

Several statements on this thread are wrong. CMS does not only use Medicare data in its rating system. In fact one of the criteria is maternity care related. Some sets of data (https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/hospitals/about-data)are collected only from Medicare enrollment and claims

It is not entirely correct that the rating is based on facts not opinions as 22% of the rating is based on patient experience, (https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/hospital/100290?city=The%20Villages&state=FL&zipcode=32162&measure=hospital-patient-surveys) which is a compilation of several questions asked about the care received both from caregivers and staff. This patient experience survey is adjusted for the mix of patients served so TVH's numbers are not low because they have a lot of old people who can't understand directions.


On the question of "Would you recommend this hospital " an extremely low number of persons who received care at TVH said yes, 44% compared to a national average of 69%.

So all of you posting here about how you enjoyed your stay at TVH, you are in the minority.

Statistically speaking, the opinions on this site of good care/bad care are worthless. The “n” is far too small to arrive at a true assessment of the overall care of The Villages Hospital. The one-star rating is based on the metrics you have stated and the “n” is likely in the tens of thousands. Why go to a one-star hospital when there are higher rated hospitals within a reasonable driving distance? If diagnosed with cancer, would you seek treatment at TV hospital or take the drive to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa that is rated number 10 in the nation?
Your body, your choice.

[rstebbins]

It is nice to see many good ratings and positive experiences above. The 5th floor of the hospital is a separate acute rehab unit. The hospital rating does not include that facility. I was recenlty in the rehab unit for six days after a severe bicycle accident (broken leg, ribs and collar bone), and can't say enough about the quality of the staff and care that I received preparing me the next stage of recovery at home. Would not hesitate to use that facility rather than driving to the other two available in Ocala.

[wolfie]

I was there three times and each time they were excellent, when the snow birds are here, they are over worked and under staffed, I do not know what Medicare is looking for, but in my eyes, the Village Hospital is excellent and the people that work they are very dedicated. The problem is it's a small hospital. it cannot handle the population that The Villages has grown to remember everybody in the villages goes to the Village Hospital of Leesburg, there are the hospitals you want to go to Jacksonville that's a thousand bed hospital The Villages is only 400 beds

[rstebbins]

If you ever need an acute rehab facility the 5th floor of the hosiptal is a seperate legal entity that provides those services. The hospital 1 rating does not include the rehab unit. I was recently there for 6 days after a severe bicycle accident (broken ribs, collarbone and, and leg/hip) I can't say enough about the quality of the staff and care I received preparing me for the next phase of recovery at home. Would not hesitate to go there again if I needed care rather than going to the facilities in Ocala.

[Stryker]

My personal experience at the Villages hospital was quite bad. I’m sure many have had good outcomes, but with a 1 star rating there must be a systemic problem. Believing what they told me, it was just a month later that I had to return north for surgery for a problem they didn’t, but easily could have identified. I hope, should have an emergency, I can be transported anywhere else. When the VH comes up in discussions, I have heard repeated descriptions of experiences just like mine. I have seen posts here about the hospital serving a large community of older people. Ok, then make the changes, and hire the people who know how to keep older people alive, and healthy. I believe the 1 star assessment is generous. I hope they manage the hospital in a way that will get them 5 stars. In the meantime perhaps I need a bracelet that says ‘anywhere but the villages’

[tophcfa]

I believe the 1 star assessment is generous. I hope they manage the hospital in a way that will get them 5 stars. In the meantime perhaps I need a bracelet that says ‘anywhere but the villages’

A highly visible tattoo might be a better idea!

[charlie1]

My personal experience at the Villages hospital was quite bad. I’m sure many have had good outcomes, but with a 1 star rating there must be a systemic problem. Believing what they told me, it was just a month later that I had to return north for surgery for a problem they didn’t, but easily could have identified. I hope, should have an emergency, I can be transported anywhere else. When the VH comes up in discussions, I have heard repeated descriptions of experiences just like mine. I have seen posts here about the hospital serving a large community of older people. Ok, then make the changes, and hire the people who know how to keep older people alive, and healthy. I believe the 1 star assessment is generous. I hope they manage the hospital in a way that will get them 5 stars. In the meantime perhaps I need a bracelet that says ‘anywhere but the villages’

Sounds like your Doctor is a problem, not the hospital!

[Kelevision]

I am very glad we have it here. How many lives have been saved. I was in there twice and treated very well. I am alive because they were there. I don't care how many stars they get.

And then there’s my dad, who passed away due to, IMO, negligence from that very hospital. The staff weren’t nice and one of the nurses actually told my dad to cover his mouth when he coughed. He was in the hospital from complications of radiation for LUNG CANCER…..

[Kelevision]

Sounds like your Doctor is a problem, not the hospital!

The hospital hired that doctor. But yes, I’m sure the hospital itself, as in the building and equipment would warrant more than one star.

[margaretmattson]

I was there three times and each time they were excellent, when the snow birds are here, they are over worked and under staffed, I do not know what Medicare is looking for, but in my eyes, the Village Hospital is excellent and the people that work they are very dedicated. The problem is it's a small hospital. it cannot handle the population that The Villages has grown to remember everybody in the villages goes to the Village Hospital of Leesburg, there are the hospitals you want to go to Jacksonville that's a thousand bed hospital The Villages is only 400 beds
The hospital in Leesburg is managed by the same people as the Villages Hospital. It received a 1 star rating.

[JerryLBell]

I seem to be an exception to a lot of rules that people state on this forum and in The Villages.

I regularly eat at restaurants in The Villages that get poor reviews for service, price and food quality. I always seem to get great service, very decent prices and quite tasty food. I wonder why that is. I'm friendly with the staff and management in my interactions and they are at least as friendly back. I don't find the prices as ridiculous as I have found in other places I've eaten out in(some smaller towns and some larger cities plus travel all over the country and to multiple other countries). I am not a gourmet but I am pretty darned picky about the foods that I do like. And I just don't run into the disappointment that others seem to. Is it me? Or what? Or who?

I've also had a number of surgeries here and in other states and have seen medical staff for routine tests and checkups and the like my whole life while living in three different states. That includes here in The Villages. For basic family doctor visits and checkouts, for simple stuff like colonoscopies and kidney stone removal, for minor eye surgery and for more major spinal surgery, I've had them all done in The Villages at The Villages Hospital and related medical centers and offices and by local doctors and staff, most of whom were highly recommended by my family doctor, other medical staff and/or friends and family living in The Villages. I have never been unhappy with the work I've had done. I've run into nothing but caring, talented and helpful staff who treated me proficiently and in a timely fashion. I've recommended all of them to my own friends here.

Maybe I just didn't retire here to start a career in complaining and picking fault, but my experience seems so different than what I read about that it makes me wonder... Do people ONLY write about their experiences here in The Villages when they feel the desire to complain? Does no one seem to know how to compliment when it is due?

Boy, I must be weird. It's the only answer that seems to make sense.

[margaretmattson]

I seem to be an exception to a lot of rules that people state on this forum and in The Villages.

I regularly eat at restaurants in The Villages that get poor reviews for service, price and food quality. I always seem to get great service, very decent prices and quite tasty food. I wonder why that is. I'm friendly with the staff and management in my interactions and they are at least as friendly back. I don't find the prices as ridiculous as I have found in other places I've eaten out in(some smaller towns and some larger cities plus travel all over the country and to multiple other countries). I am not a gourmet but I am pretty darned picky about the foods that I do like. And I just don't run into the disappointment that others seem to. Is it me? Or what? Or who?

I've also had a number of surgeries here and in other states and have seen medical staff for routine tests and checkups and the like my whole life while living in three different states. That includes here in The Villages. For basic family doctor visits and checkouts, for simple stuff like colonoscopies and kidney stone removal, for minor eye surgery and for more major spinal surgery, I've had them all done in The Villages at The Villages Hospital and related medical centers and offices and by local doctors and staff, most of whom were highly recommended by my family doctor, other medical staff and/or friends and family living in The Villages. I have never been unhappy with the work I've had done. I've run into nothing but caring, talented and helpful staff who treated me proficiently and in a timely fashion. I've recommended all of them to my own friends here.

Maybe I just didn't retire here to start a career in complaining and picking fault, but my experience seems so different than what I read about that it makes me wonder... Do people ONLY write about their experiences here in The Villages when they feel the desire to complain? Does no one seem to know how to compliment when it is due?

Boy, I must be weird. It's the only answer that seems to make sense.You are not "weird." Nor, are others constant complainers. Your taste in food may be different them some. Me? I find the restaurant food here extremely bland. But, I was raised in a family where spicy was the norm. I have a friend who I would consider a gourmet cook. She can prepare meals 100x better than any restaurant here. She stays home instead of eating out. It is about PERSPECTIVE.

No one is kinder if they see fewer faults than others. It depends on what someone is comparing food, service, or medical care to. Some have experienced much better in other cities.Therefore, the Villages is a disappointment. Some, like you, find everything in the Villages comparable to where you came from and are familiar with. Read posts and use your own judgement. No one is completely right and no one is completely wrong. We all have different experiences. Therefore, our perspectives will vary immensely.

[TCRSO]

My experience at UF Leesburg was definitely not positive. The explanation is a long, but if important if you experience a life threatening illness. I was admitted from the emergency room with a staph blood infection which was rapidly spreading (already had resulted in pneumonia if both lungs). Over the next two days, I had multiple MRIs. Those studies (as interpreted by the radiologist) indicated that the infection had caused abcesses on my spine and heart valves) and emergency heart and spine surgery was required. Fortunately, as I was to later discover, UF Leesburg does not have a neurosurgeon on staff. I did not want to be transferred to Shands, so my wife, a retired RN, called our retired physician friends in Orlando who recommended a neurosurgeon and Advent Hospital. I was transferred to Advent Rollins (arriving at 10 pm) and placed in Neurosurgery Intensive Care in anticipation of emergency surgery). At 6 am the following morning, Advent had a medical team consisting of a neurosurgeon, multiple infectious disease specialist, cardiologist and invasive cardiologist, who began arriving to examine me. The rest of that day and into the evening involved multiple MRIs and CAT scans. That is when we discovered the issues with UF Leesburg. The Advent MRIs did not support the radiologist report for the MRIs at UF Leesburg. When the Neurologist obtained the MRI from UF, he stated that that the images were so bad that neither he or the Advent Radiologist, could interpret them. If UF Leesburg had had a neurosurgeon I would have undergone unnecessary spinal and heart surgery based upon a MRI that had been improperly interpreted. Instead, the Advent infectious disease team were able to treat me with antibiotics only.

[Normal]

Your experience is an isolated one compared to the large amounts of data that is used to arrive at the 1 star rating. I'm not good with math- but for example- for every person like you who might give them a top rating, there may be 10 who give it a low rating. These 10 low ratings are important in determining what the potential outcome might be for future visitors. Our hospital up North had a terrible reputation in our community- with people saying things like, "I wouldn't bring my dog there". But in the 55 years I and my family used it we had nothing but excellent care- they even saved my life.

1 out of 9, it sounds like you are very fortunate. Healthcare is a major consideration, if not the most important consideration for retirement. IMHO the best advice for anyone relocating here would be to book a primary care doctor appointment ASAP, even before arriving if possible! Appointments are tough to get around here. Planning healthcare is crucial.

[Pres1939]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.

I just had a heart catheterization at the UF Villages hospital. I found the facilities and personnel to be exceptionally good. Many thanks to nurse Jennifer and to Cody and the procedure room staff, including Dr. Marwan Mihyu.

[MrFlorida]

I had a shoulder replaced there in April, they were top notch.

[BrianL99]

If UF is involved it pretty much sucks that's the baseline

UF Health Shands Hospital is one of highest rated hospitals in the USA, by most every measure.

[tophcfa]

UF Health Shands Hospital is one of highest rated hospitals in the USA, by most every measure.

The hospitals in Gainesville are excellent, as are most that are in Cities with a major higher education institution such as the University of Florida.

[PugMom]

First hand experience with the ER, it is not only the long wait and limited communication with the hospital staff you also deal with apathy. When I last went to the ER I decided to give them a chance to see if it really improved like we were told by the insert in the newspaper by the CEO of the hospital. After waiting four hours to get an x-ray and than another hour waiting for results we were told we could go. The staff walk around like zombies not acting if they care about the patient. The man next to me finally said he was leaving and walked out. When the nurse came out I told her that her patient left and her response was "Oh Well". Our nurse forgot to remove my iv from my arm. I got half way home and realized that I had the iv still in my arm. I thought there is no way I am going back to that place. I so much wanted the ER to be improved, one star is being generous, however I will never go to the village hospital again for emergency services. It is a shame since they are at the best location for all of us in the villages. Final thought, they may be under staffed but there is no reason that the two nurses I dealt with made me feel as if they didn't care if I lived or died. There is no need for apathy from the nursing staff.

it's my guess they were overloaded with work & having longer shifts, - that kind of stress can give anyone burnout. i'm not excusing their actions, mererly proving insight as to a reason for it . hope you are doing better now.

[Byte1]

I've only been to the ER in the Villages Hospital once, but sat in the waiting area for 7.5 hours before being put into a treatment room where I sat for another half hour before anyone came in to check on me. I have heard that the other parts of the hospital is great, but I never got that far. I know another person that sat for 5.5 hours and finally got up and went to the ER on Rt,.466A where he was treated immediately upon arrival and was then transported to the hospital in Ocala. Guess it is all up to perspective.

[Bogie Shooter]

I've only been to the ER in the Villages Hospital once, but sat in the waiting area for 7.5 hours before being put into a treatment room where I sat for another half hour before anyone came in to check on me. I have heard that the other parts of the hospital is great, but I never got that far. I know another person that sat for 5.5 hours and finally got up and went to the ER on Rt,.466A where he was treated immediately upon arrival and was then transported to the hospital in Ocala. Guess it is all up to perspective.
Or the diagnosis…………

[CoachKandSportsguy]

as with all the " i went to this hospital and the results were excellent"

you don't have the background nor knowledge to evaluate the entire hospital with just one event.
that's why CMSS looks at a huge amount of data and audits the hospital results, and pays incentives on increasingly improved results, not star level, but improvement levels of results. The incentives can be in the millions of dollars, and may determine if a hospital has to borrow money to fund operations or not. Way more involved than what you just experienced. You as a patient can really only influence patient satisfaction, and not any internal processes which may be consistently deficient.

NOT IN A FL HOSPITAL -> A friend's (nurse with 20 letters to her tests passed and did regulatory reporting for a hospital) father came home with a catheter left in by mistake, went back to the hospital the next day to see about getting it taken out. The doctor told him to step into the closet and lower his pants, he came in and removed the catheter. Did it this way to avoid reporting a revisit to the hospital to CMS. daughter found out after the fact and was not there.

And as for all events, everything works until it doesn't, and you hope that your doesn't work event doesn't mean something permanent.

just hope your everything works luck doesn't run out.

[GoRedSox!]

I thought Rusty Nelson put up an excellent YouTube video this past weekend asking legitimate and constructive questions as to whether things like medical services and hospital beds and other services are keeping up with the population growth of The Villages. It's not a topic often brought up, at least on the YouTube channels, but he asked really good questions like how many hospital beds are there now compared to 10 years ago and what are the plans going forward to keep up with the population growth. I recommend this video to everyone to watch.

[RPDaly]

///

[Aces4]

Or the diagnosis…………


Guess again. Medical care in immediate Villages area is lacking, contract Drs and RNS is not what I’m looking for at this point in my life.

[tophcfa]

I've only been to the ER in the Villages Hospital once, but sat in the waiting area for 7.5 hours before being put into a treatment room where I sat for another half hour before anyone came in to check on me. I have heard that the other parts of the hospital is great, but I never got that far. I know another person that sat for 5.5 hours and finally got up and went to the ER on Rt,.466A where he was treated immediately upon arrival and was then transported to the hospital in Ocala. Guess it is all up to perspective.

Dam, those are good experiences compared to what I went through at that hell hole. Got there around noon and was discharged after midnight without any care except for an IV of fluids, a total misdiagnosis, given a script for drugs I didn’t need, and sent out the door to drive myself home in a golf cart while on my death bed. When I finally managed to get to a real hospital in Gainesville, they took one look at me and immediately put me into critical care and proceeded to save my life. All the incompetent idiots had to do was look at my blood oxygen level and red blood cell count and they would have realized I was basically drowning on land. An average first year resident could have figured that out in minutes, but not anyone at the Villages Hospital in over 12 hours.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Guess again. Medical care in immediate Villages area is lacking, contract Drs and RNS is not what I’m looking for at this point in my life.

Third world country medical care in the area of the villages, and in large areas of FL

FL is one of the highest fraud perpetrating locales in the USA, medical industry is not immune to fraud.

[dhdallas]

I go to AdventHealth Care in Tavares which is only about 20 miles from here. The hospital gets excellent reviews (see below).

AdventHealth Care Center Waterman in Tavares received an overall rating from CMS of 4 stars compared to the FL average of 3.48 and a National average of 3.32.

AdventHealth Care Center Waterman was also reviewed by Medicare to have a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Patients gave an overall rating of 91 out of 100. Furthermore, patients would rate this hospital 91 out of 100 in terms of recommending others receive care at this facility.

Relative to other hospitals nationally, the cost is lower at AdventHealth Waterman. At this facility, they have 468 providers across 41 primary specialties.

[Topspinmo]

Unfortunately the villages hospital has returned to one star status in CMS (Medicare).
I was surprised and happy when TVH moved to 2 stars on the medicare.gov website but it fell back to 1 star.
Many people will say yes but TVH has more old people and snowbirds than other places.
To that I say look at other hospitals that have great ratings within 100 miles of TV. There are 5 star hospitals in Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Jacksonville 4 star hospitals in Tampa and Gainesville.
I don’t understand how Medicare rates hospitals but the closest 3 star hospitals are in Ocala and Tavares and I have taken myself and friends that needed care to both of them.


One star better than no star or no hospital.

[Topspinmo]

Third world country medical care in the area of the villages, and in large areas of FL

FL is one of the highest fraud perpetrating locales in the USA, medical industry is not immune to fraud.

Maybe cause all fraudsters moving in and continuing their careers? :22yikes:

[bilcon]

I am very glad we have it here. How many lives have been saved. I was in there twice and treated very well. I am alive because they were there. I don't care how many stars they get.

When I was there in 2013 for a severe medical emergency, I had excellent emergency care. I am only alive today because of the doctors and nurses who were on duty that day. Thank you.

[collie1228]

One thing I've found in life is that ratings are mostly bull. I've found this on cruise ratings (raters said the ship was "old and tired" which I found to be the opposite), hotel ratings (wildly different than my experience) and places like Yelp, which I've found to be totally unreliable on several occasions. Haven't we all at one time or another been pressured by a salesman or manager to give the business the full five stars in our ratings? It's no different for hospitals. Rely on your own experience or from trusted friends, and even then, your experience may be quite different. I had my gall bladder removed from the local hospital in mid-2023, and it was a very complicated problem with severe blockages, and my experience was great. Nurse care was outstanding, my surgeon was competent and had a good bedside manner, and the hospital itself was clean and neat. Your experience may be different.

[Carla B]

Dam, those are good experiences compared to what I went through at that hell hole. Got there around noon and was discharged after midnight without any care except for an IV of fluids, a total misdiagnosis, given a script for drugs I didn’t need, and sent out the door to drive myself home in a golf cart while on my death bed. When I finally managed to get to a real hospital in Gainesville, they took one look at me and immediately put me into critical care and proceeded to save my life. All the incompetent idiots had to do was look at my blood oxygen level and red blood cell count and they would have realized I was basically drowning on land. An average first year resident could have figured that out in minutes, but not anyone at the Villages Hospital in over 12 hours.

Tophcha: I remember your posting about the horrible experience you went through at the time. And the misdiagnosis. It seems you had a dangerous tick-borne disease that you had brought from Massachusetts and they couldn't figure it out and it never occurred to them to send you someplace where it could be figured out. That is just scary.

[blueash]

Hospital ratings are based on comparisons. If a five star hospital has a 1% complication rate, a three star has 5%, and your hospital has a 10% complication rate it is doing poorly. But keep in mind that still means 90% of people did not have a complication and will be here talking about their excellent experience.

It is those kinds of differences across many criteria that got the local hospital its 1 one star rating. Most patients do well but too many, compared to other hospitals do not get quality care.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Hospital ratings are based on comparisons. If a five star hospital has a 1% complication rate, a three star has 5%, and your hospital has a 10% complication rate it is doing poorly. But keep in mind that still means 90% of people did not have a complication and will be here talking about their excellent experience.

It is those kinds of differences across many criteria that got the local hospital its 1 one star rating. Most patients do well but too many, compared to other hospitals do not get quality care.

well typed!

[tophcfa]

Tophcha: I remember your posting about the horrible experience you went through at the time. And the misdiagnosis. It seems you had a dangerous tick-borne disease that you had brought from Massachusetts and they couldn't figure it out and it never occurred to them to send you someplace where it could be figured out. That is just scary.

That is correct, I got bit by a tick in Massachusetts sometime in late April or early May before returning to the Villages. The tick was kind enough to infect me with two infectious diseases, Babesiosis and Lyme disease. By around the Memorial Day Weekend the symptoms began to rear their ugly heads and got worse by the day until early June when I made the horrible mistake of going to the Villages Hospital. Babesiosis is a blood parasite that exponentially multiplies and blows up red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout one’s body. The only thing close to Babesiosis is Malaria. As the parasites destroy red blood cells, the body’s essential organs become deprived of oxygen (hemolytic anemia). My kidneys and liver were failing, I couldn’t think straight, and my spleen was about to explode from filtering so many dead red blood cells. I was drowning on land. After over 12 hours in the Villages Hospital they erroneously concluded I had a unitary track infection and gave me a script for an antibiotic and sent me packing.

I am a very reasonable person and didn’t expect them to know what was making me gravely ill, but the incompetent idiots have no excuse for not recognizing my red blood cell count was critically low, my blood oxygen was practically nonexistent, and I was on my death bed. There is no excuse for anyplace calling themselves a hospital to be so grossly negligent. There isn’t a low enough rating I could give that place. If I didn’t get to a real hospital in Gainesville in short order I was a dead man.