ER in an emergency setting

[NYBob]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

[Jayhawk]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

[Velvet]

In a real emergency, the closest hospital is usually the best.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

There's nothing about that, that is exclusive to The Villages or old people. Every ER I've ever been in, as a patient or helping someone else, has had people who don't have an actual emergency waiting for care.

Including toothaches, flu symptoms, skinned knees, and non-specific stomach aches that are most likely just gas cramps.

[MarshBendLover]

As I told my brother last year when he came to visit from Georgia. "If you are concerned about UF emergency rooms and the expertise of the staff than by all means head north on I-75 until you get up near Atlanta and look for a sign for Grady Memorial Hospital which is located up against the I-75 wall on the southbound side. Then exit Edgewood Ave and go under the freeway. I'm sure you will be fine until you arrive".

[NYBob]

In a real emergency, the closest hospital is usually the best.

Usually, though by virtue of moving to TV when one picks their village they also pick their ER. The question then is which one.

[tophcfa]

In a real emergency, the closest hospital is usually the best.
Unless it’s the place off El Camino Real, anyplace else would be light years better (or at least couldn’t possibly be worse).

[Arctic Fox]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

In a "life threatening emergency" why would you go anywhere other than the nearest ER?

Sure, one a bit further away might give you slightly better treatment, but if the delay makes you D.O.A. then that doesn't really help you, does it?

[tophcfa]

In a "life threatening emergency" why would you go anywhere other than the nearest ER?

Sure, one a bit further away might give you slightly better treatment, but if the delay makes you D.O.A. then that doesn't really help you, does it?

Not when you go to the nearest place, wait for 12 hours, get negligibly misdiagnosed and are booted out the door after midnight in no shape to drive home and are in worse shape than when you walked in. Yes, it would most definitely help you to go a bit further away!

[MrFlorida]

All emergency rooms such, no matter which state you live in.

[scubawva]

The px doesn't decide. The 911 crew generally is directed to the closest ER. In some cases the OMD or ER charge Dr will direct to another facility based on the info relayed from the crew. Such as Level 1 trauma center, need for a helo, other factors.

In an emergency don’t drive yourself, so often someone doesn’t want to call 911 and uses POV. On way to ER the medical episode worsens and they cause an accident, oftentimes causing serious damage of fatality to others. Please don’t be that guy.

[Kelevision]

I had to call 911 last year when I fell and broke my kneecap in half. I live in TV. TV ambulance picked me up. I didn’t get a choice. They took me to Leesburg hospital. I was told by them that’s where the on call Orthopedic surgeon was. I got there. X-rays. Confirmed I needed surgery but there was no on call dr there. That doctor was at TV hospital and they refused to transfer me there because the ambulance took me to Leesburg. I still can’t walk and have had 4 surgeries and I blame the week I had to search for an Orthopedic surgeon to do my surgery. The mistake of one ambulance driver can turn into years long issues.

[AMB444]

...

[Sabella]

Another 15 million patients to look after over the past couple of years and they don’t have to pay for anything you pay for it for them.

[RICH1]

If you wanted a good Hospital , you moved to the wrong place. Due diligence is not just about restaurants and grocery stores.

[MandoMan]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

That’s a difficult question because there are so many sorts of life-threatening emergencies. With some, the threat is seconds away, with others, it’s minutes, or an hour, or a day. Most ERs drop everything for a real life-threatening emergency, but some ERs having a full range of diagnostic equipment handy and some don’t. Some have doctors on duty at all times and some don’t. Some have good ratings and some don’t. Some can wheel you into surgery from the ER and do heart or brain surgery and some can’t. Some ERs are top level Trauma ERs and some aren’t. Some have facilities for putting a stent in your heart when you are having a heart attack and some don’t.

The closest A-rated hospital to The Villages is AdventHealth/Waterman in Taveres. I live five minutes from the intersection of Buena Vista and 466A. For me, the hospital is about a 45 minute drive. For some life threatening conditions, that’s too long. The hospital formerly called The Villages Hospital and now run by the University of Florida system is attractive, but its rating hasn’t been high. Will that come up? We don’t know yet. While I live in The Villages, it’s about a thirty minute drive. If you buy a house in the south of The Villages, it’s much farther. AdventHealth/Waterman is building a new ER with ten hospital rooms attached on 466A just past Colony shopping Plaza. For me that’s about ten minutes. I don’t know what the level of expertise will be, but they can get me to AdventHealth/Waterman from there. They know the way. If you live down at the SouthEast end of The Villages, you are 45 minutes away from AdventHealth/Orlando, which is the top-rated hospital in Florida and a high-level trauma center.

A lot of the ratings focus on things like the number of people who pick up infections in the hospital. Very few at AdventHealth/Waterman. A lot more here in The Villages. Also, how often do certain kinds of surgeons do certain difficult surgeries. One joint replacement I’ve had was done at AdventHealth/Waterman by a surgeon who does half a dozen of them a week. That leads to a higher rating than a surgeon who does one a month.

If you are from New York, Bob, you are used to having outstanding hospitals within a mile or two. However, you also know that there are times in New York when two traffic hardly moves. A mile here may mean two minutes. A mile in New York may mean a half hour.

The Villages is close to the size and shape of Manhattan. The Villages Hospital (once called) is up near Harlem, but most new construction is happening down near the Battery, so to speak. What answer fits one situation may not fit another. I chose a GP affiliated with AdventHealth/Waterman because he acts as a concierge who can get me in to see other specialists in the system, and if the local hospital isn’t good enough, he’ll send me to one that specializes in that surgery. Seeing him is harder than some doctor twenty minutes away, but it’s worth it for the easy access to specialists.

[asianthree]

Every ED treatment is the same everywhere. You actually require Emergency care you are first. You bumped your toe you wait last.

If you are wonder what is the best ED and how far away. You don’t belong there, find an urgent care.

If you are have a stroke, mi, or horrific accident, you will be transported to the facility that can handle your medical issues. Provided they aren’t full of hang nails and sniffles.

Asking non medical professionals about their care, may not be in your best interest. I don’t care about bedside manner, or how nice the person was at the front desk. If their care was bad in their opinion, was there a true ED patient that a life needed to be saved?

I know exactly which facility my physician is on staff. Then one can get the proper ED care.

Spouse first call 911….IF a rescue is needed. Second call the physician (ortho, cardiac, neuro, neurologist), that will be handling that Medical emergency.

[Rwirish]

Best way is to ask people on social media. Asking your physician or other appropriate medical professional may be more beneficial.

[Berwin]

We live in Marion County and have always received excellent care at the HCA emergency room on 441, just outside of Del Webb. That said, we heard when we moved here that if it was a life threatening condition (not emergency), go to Gainesville. Sure enough, my wife developed a condition. Her primary care doc sent her to a specialist, who sent her to another, higher level, specialist who said she needed to go to Gainesville. They saved her.

[EastCoastDawg]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox:
In a "life threatening emergency" why would you go anywhere other than the nearest ER?

Sure, one a bit further away might give you slightly better treatment, but if the delay makes you D.O.A. then that doesn't really help you, does it?

Not when you go to the nearest place, wait for 12 hours, get negligibly misdiagnosed and are booted out the door after midnight in no shape to drive home and are in worse shape than when you walked in. Yes, it would most definitely help you to go a bit further away!

If you're D.O.A. at "your" choice of hospital, exactly how does that help you?

[bowlingal]

you don't say where you live, but the stand alone ER's are super. One, on 466A is associated with Ocala hospitals and one, on 44 is associated with Leesburg and the Villages hospital. Both are excellent to go to.

[VillagesDude]

Another 15 million patients to look after over the past couple of years and they don’t have to pay for anything you pay for it for them.. One of the main reasons there’s a shortage of physicians is that medical students typically leave with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to start their career as residents with a salary that hardly compensates them. Then, the salary for a physician is hardly what you think, unless it’s one whose practice involves complex procedures. That combined with miserable conglomerate health insurers demands and corporate practices that limit the time a physician can spend with a patient makes the career very unattractive at this point. Who would want to be a doctor these days!

[MikePgh]

My sister is an ER doctor and has always said in a life threatening situation go to the closest one.

ER’s, even when crowded, do an on going triage of people in the waiting room. Yes, your wrist may hurt from falling out of the golf cart, but the person who just came in with pain in their jaw, shoulder and back may just be having a heart attack and should get seen asap. And profuse bleeding always beats a broken bone (unless it’s sticking out).

[CybrSage]

The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

Can you show support for this? First I have heard of it.

[CybrSage]

Not when you go to the nearest place, wait for 12 hours, get negligibly misdiagnosed and are booted out the door after midnight in no shape to drive home and are in worse shape than when you walked in. Yes, it would most definitely help you to go a bit further away!

Not if you arrive DOA, which was literally what his post said that you replied to

Being sent home alive is surely better than being dead, right?

[Triker]

Let’s just say, the medical down here is not the best.

[Professor]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

EMT's told me they are required to take someone with a life threatening emergency to the nearest trauma center regardless of your request. Never tried to verify that however, so talking to one yourself might be an idea to consider.

[MarcStephen]

My experience so far have been with UF freestanding ER on 44 and UF Spanish Plaines Hospital. No hospital is perfect but the right attitude pays dividends in care and connection with staff.

[bsloan1960]

Your words are of no value to the person seeking a specific answer. Why did you take the time to write them? The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

[Dotneko]

We have used the freestanding ER on 44 across from the brownwood entrance 5 times (all serious illnesses) and have gotten excellent care each time.

[Grill Meister]

Villages Hospital ER has terrible reputation. Seek any place else:
:click:
HCA Florida Trailwinds Village Emergency
6131 Seven Mile Drive
Wildwood, FL 34785
Office Hours
Open 24 hours (352) 461 - 5200

American Urgent Care & Walk-in Clinics
601 Gray Avenue
Wildwood, FL 34785
Office House: 9AM – 9PM
(352) 399-2422

[golfing eagles]

That’s a difficult question because there are so many sorts of life-threatening emergencies. With some, the threat is seconds away, with others, it’s minutes, or an hour, or a day. Most ERs drop everything for a real life-threatening emergency, but some ERs having a full range of diagnostic equipment handy and some don’t. Some have doctors on duty at all times and some don’t. Some have good ratings and some don’t. Some can wheel you into surgery from the ER and do heart or brain surgery and some can’t. Some ERs are top level Trauma ERs and some aren’t. Some have facilities for putting a stent in your heart when you are having a heart attack and some don’t.

The closest A-rated hospital to The Villages is AdventHealth/Waterman in Taveres. I live five minutes from the intersection of Buena Vista and 466A. For me, the hospital is about a 45 minute drive. For some life threatening conditions, that’s too long. The hospital formerly called The Villages Hospital and now run by the University of Florida system is attractive, but its rating hasn’t been high. Will that come up? We don’t know yet. While I live in The Villages, it’s about a thirty minute drive. If you buy a house in the south of The Villages, it’s much farther. AdventHealth/Waterman is building a new ER with ten hospital rooms attached on 466A just past Colony shopping Plaza. For me that’s about ten minutes. I don’t know what the level of expertise will be, but they can get me to AdventHealth/Waterman from there. They know the way. If you live down at the SouthEast end of The Villages, you are 45 minutes away from AdventHealth/Orlando, which is the top-rated hospital in Florida and a high-level trauma center.

A lot of the ratings focus on things like the number of people who pick up infections in the hospital. Very few at AdventHealth/Waterman. A lot more here in The Villages. Also, how often do certain kinds of surgeons do certain difficult surgeries. One joint replacement I’ve had was done at AdventHealth/Waterman by a surgeon who does half a dozen of them a week. That leads to a higher rating than a surgeon who does one a month.

If you are from New York, Bob, you are used to having outstanding hospitals within a mile or two. However, you also know that there are times in New York when two traffic hardly moves. A mile here may mean two minutes. A mile in New York may mean a half hour.

The Villages is close to the size and shape of Manhattan. The Villages Hospital (once called) is up near Harlem, but most new construction is happening down near the Battery, so to speak. What answer fits one situation may not fit another. I chose a GP affiliated with AdventHealth/Waterman because he acts as a concierge who can get me in to see other specialists in the system, and if the local hospital isn’t good enough, he’ll send me to one that specializes in that surgery. Seeing him is harder than some doctor twenty minutes away, but it’s worth it for the easy access to specialists.

Thank you for one of the best medical posts on TOTV in years (except for my own). I can't find one thing to criticize, and kudos into your insight into how little some of these so-called rating really mean.

[golfing eagles]

As I told my brother last year when he came to visit from Georgia. "If you are concerned about UF emergency rooms and the expertise of the staff than by all means head north on I-75 until you get up near Atlanta and look for a sign for Grady Memorial Hospital which is located up against the I-75 wall on the southbound side. Then exit Edgewood Ave and go under the freeway. I'm sure you will be fine until you arrive".

You are of the opinion that Grady is a world class hospital????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: If I was driving that far, keep going until you hit Duke University, Wake Forest, or Baylor in Houston.

[sowilts]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?
UF Health Spanish Plaines was excellent the last two visits for me. Fantastic care.

[MSGirl]

As I told my brother last year when he came to visit from Georgia. "If you are concerned about UF emergency rooms and the expertise of the staff than by all means head north on I-75 until you get up near Atlanta and look for a sign for Grady Memorial Hospital which is located up against the I-75 wall on the southbound side. Then exit Edgewood Ave and go under the freeway. I'm sure you will be fine until you arrive".

Grady is a shady hospital. Lots of gunshot wounds.

[MSGirl]

Can you show support for this? First I have heard of it.
Not only old people. In my experience working in the ER, Younger folks with Medicaid use the ER as Urgent Care. It’s easier for them.

[psoccermom]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

In answer to your question, Waterman in Leesburg or West Marion Hospital in Ocala.

[bigstu1]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

We have always found the UF emergency room on 44 across from Brownwood to handle our real emergencies. They are well equipped and staffed and when necessary help you get into Spanish Plaines(Villages) or Leesburg a lot faster. And yes emergencies only.

[smcmahon2002]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

Only once have I needed an ER in the TV. Lost a battle to an army of fire ants. Neighbor took me to the ER just south of Brownwood. They recognized the situation and immediately had in a bed on a benadryl drip. Took care of the paperwork once I stabilized.

They did an outstanding job.

[1golfergal]

As I told my brother last year when he came to visit from Georgia. "If you are concerned about UF emergency rooms and the expertise of the staff than by all means head north on I-75 until you get up near Atlanta and look for a sign for Grady Memorial Hospital which is located up against the I-75 wall on the southbound side. Then exit Edgewood Ave and go under the freeway. I'm sure you will be fine until you arrive".

BEST Hospital there is for "Emergency" care.... I was a Trauma Nurse there for several years.... but, yeah, get your care.... get stable... and, get the Hell outta dodge.

[golfing eagles]

BEST Hospital there is for "Emergency" care.... I was a Trauma Nurse there for several years.... but, yeah, get your care.... get stable... and, get the Hell outta dodge.

Exactly! That ER is almost as crazy as Kings County in Brooklyn

[1golfergal]

You are of the opinion that Grady is a world class hospital????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: If I was driving that far, keep going until you hit Duke University, Wake Forest, or Baylor in Houston.
See my post... for Trauma or immediate Medical... yeah, it is.... once stable though... get the hell outta dodge.

[asianthree]

The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

There's nothing about that, that is exclusive to The Villages or old people. Every ER I've ever been in, as a patient or helping someone else, has had people who don't have an actual emergency waiting for care.

Including toothaches, flu symptoms, skinned knees, and non-specific stomach aches that are most likely just gas cramps.

Can you show support for this? First I have heard of it.

One can travel to any ED department sit in waiting room for 30 minutes. You will never find any ED department that doesn’t have to deal with all of the above.

Sadly once one enters no matter what the complaint every ED needs to waste time with a eval, tests, and yes conversations that you hear everyday at the grocery checkout line.

Legally the staff has an obligation to treat once entered into system.

The only saving grace is newer ED departments are being restructured to include a small Urgent Care. So non life threatening can be treated without taking away life threatening events.

Nothing like being in the trauma room, trying to save a 3yo gunshot, while the person 3 curtains down is loudly complaining their finger hurts, I Need Help Now.

That is the patient you will find complaining about how bad the care was at ______________ED, or Hospital.

[gjbakke]

Check the standalone ER are affiliated with certain Hospitals. Ex. The ER on 466A
Uses HCA Florida in Ocala.

Great experience from both

[merrymini]

Manhattan is about 25 square miles and the Villages is about 32 square miles. Both ERs on 44 and 466a have a good reputation. I do not plan to move to Manhattan any time soon to be close to their hospitals.

[PugMom]

Usually, though by virtue of moving to TV when one picks their village they also pick their ER. The question then is which one.

though it's a bit away, in an emergency i used advent waterman. yes, i drove farther, but had excellent care & i'd do it again if i had to

[PugMom]

Best way is to ask people on social media. Asking your physician or other appropriate medical professional may be more beneficial.

not always, i've been recommended to places i'd never go again

[MarvM]

TV ticks most boxes for us however the ERs/Hospitals seem questionable. In the case of a life threatening emergency what is the best ER(s) to be taken to ?

I will make one admission. I volunteer at the UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages. Villagers tend to have long memories and closed minds about the possibility of change. UF Health has made many changes/improvements at this facility and these improvements are making huge differences in patient care, from how people seem to remember this facility. If I had a medical emergency, this is where I am going. The UF Health system has numerous top notch facilities in the Central Florida area.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This part of Central Florida is a medical hodge-podge. Good doctors, a few REALLY good doctors, with mediocre doctors all mixed up and scattered throughout.

In an actual life-or-death emergency, you go to the closest facility that can handle the nature of the emergency. For me, that'd be Spanish Plaines hospital, since they're less than 3 minutes away from my house by car, assuming the traffic light at Morse and 441 is green when you cross 441.

For Urgent Care, I'd probably go to somewhere nearby. As long as they're in-network on my insurance. I use The Villages Health for most of my regular medical needs and all my specialists are either on the Spanish Plains/TVH campus, or within a few blocks of the Historic Section of the community. Even my dentist is nearby (next to Aldi's and golf-cart accessible).

Once I'm old enough for medicare, I'll have to revisit my options. But for emergencies, I'll go to the closest place.

[Stu from NYC]

I will make one admission. I volunteer at the UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages. Villagers tend to have long memories and closed minds about the possibility of change. UF Health has made many changes/improvements at this facility and these improvements are making huge differences in patient care, from how people seem to remember this facility. If I had a medical emergency, this is where I am going. The UF Health system has numerous top notch facilities in the Central Florida area.

I was taken here by ambulance in December. ER was quick to see me and thought the care was good. Spent 3 days and thought care was good. Did not see the nurses as much as I would have liked but they seem to be very busy and short staffed.

Food was surprisingly good.

[LianneMigiano]

Unless it’s the place off El Camino Real, anyplace else would be light years better (or at least couldn’t possibly be worse).
I have had several experiences with the Spanish Plaines Hospital and was into a room in the ER really quickly (all 3 times). The staff were VERY nice and knowledgeable. Many years back I could not have said the same, but it's changed for the better!!!!

[NYBob]

The closest A-rated hospital to The Villages is AdventHealth/Waterman in Taveres. I live five minutes from the intersection of Buena Vista and 466A. For me, the hospital is about a 45 minute drive. For some life threatening conditions, that’s too long.


I was focusing on AH/W myself as I understand it is a very good hospital and possibly the best in the area though it would be a distance from Watercrest Buena Vista ALF (Buena Vista and 466) where we are looking for my mom. I had asked at the ALFs we visited if the Free Standing ERs were 911 receiving and was told no, she will be brought to the hospital in Spanish Springs. I would much prefer the Free Standing ERs, *IF* they are well suited to handle a life threatening condition ie: cardiac arrest.

The new AH/W Free Standing ER you mentioned on 466A just past Colony shopping Plaza would be 15mins from her location. Which might put it in 'closest hospital' range. Again, if they are 911 receiving.

Though what I find questionable is, would the pt then stay at the FS ER until they are stable enough to move ? Is the FS ER staffed to handle a situation like that ? What if the pt needed a stent or some other procedure ? There are two (466a & 44) that I know of, I will speak with both.

[JMintzer]

The problem with TV is old people go to the ER for hangnails, toothaches, and someone to talk to.

That problem is in no way limited to "old people"...

[Ecuadog]

I have had several experiences with the Spanish Plaines Hospital and was into a room in the ER really quickly (all 3 times). The staff were VERY nice and knowledgeable. Many years back I could not have said the same, but it's changed for the better!!!!

Bingo. It worked for us.

Keep in mind, that if you go to a local stand-alone ER and you need to be admitted, you will then have to be transported to a hospital. Why not go to the ER in a hospital?

[asianthree]

Bingo. It worked for us.

Keep in mind, that if you go to a local stand-alone ER and you need to be admitted, you will then have to be transported to a hospital. Why not go to the ER in a hospital?

True however until the Stroke bus is up and running, you want to get to the closest ED for immediate treatment. traveling 20 minutes farther without meds is asking non reversible issues.

[skippy05]

The correct answer is: AdventHealth Belleview ER located at 6006 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420. This ER saved my life 1.5 years ago when I had a heart attack. Within minutes they had properly diagnosed me, stabilized me and then quickly transferred me to Ocala AdventHealth where 2 days later I had 5 by passes. Awesome, first-class immediate care from A to Z with wonderful doctors and nurses. Also, God-fearing, believing, praying Doctors, Surgeons, and nurses who are not afraid to pray out loud as you are going under for the surgery of your life. I can't thank them enough.

[Ecuadog]

True however until the Stroke bus is up and running, you want to get to the closest ED for immediate treatment. traveling 20 minutes farther without meds is asking non reversible issues.

A stroke is not the only reason to go to an ER. What about all the other emergencies that may require admittance? Hopefully, the ambulance personnel will be allowed to give some advice.

[asianthree]

A stroke is not the only reason to go to an ER. What about all the other emergencies that may require admittance? Hopefully, the ambulance personnel will be allowed to give some advice.

A physician can direct admit, without clogging the ED. I consider a trip to any ED a life threatening event. Bypassing the closest medical facility would mean life or death. Ambulance staff will inform what ED isn’t taking patients, and what would be the next facility available. Chopper, you aren’t making any decisions.

Emergency has a different definition for us. If one of our kids needed stitches, it was cleaned, butterflied or sutured, antibiotics administered at the kitchen counter. A fracture was a trip to the office take an X-ray, and cast.
Our 3yo granddaughter windows had X-rays, instead of blinds, at 5 she pointed out her growth plate fracture, before we read the X-ray. None of our kids or grandchildren have ever walked into an ED. For us two direct admit, both while working.

Unless an event is a tragic accident, activate CPR, Stroke, or unable to respond, ED wouldn’t be first on the list.

[golfing eagles]

The correct answer is: AdventHealth Belleview ER located at 6006 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview, FL 34420. This ER saved my life 1.5 years ago when I had a heart attack. Within minutes they had properly diagnosed me, stabilized me and then quickly transferred me to Ocala AdventHealth where 2 days later I had 5 by passes. Awesome, first-class immediate care from A to Z with wonderful doctors and nurses. Also, God-fearing, believing, praying Doctors, Surgeons, and nurses who are not afraid to pray out loud as you are going under for the surgery of your life. I can't thank them enough.

Thank you for providing the one "correct" answer :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[MarshBendLover]

You are of the opinion that Grady is a world class hospital????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: If I was driving that far, keep going until you hit Duke University, Wake Forest, or Baylor in Houston.

Once you pick yourself up off the floor laughing, you may want to reread the OP, then reread my post. There was no mention of world class hospital, he only referred to another ER and I was referring to the nearest ER where my brother lives which is Grady.

I was actually being facetious because only an idiot (my brother) would ignore the nearest ER in an actual emergency. If one attempts to drive further for their choice of ER, then either there is no real emergency or the ME will need to be notified once the body is located.

Facetious - sarcasm or saying something in jest. :boxing2:

[golfing eagles]

Once you pick yourself up off the floor laughing, you may want to reread the OP, then reread my post. There was no mention of world class hospital, he only referred to another ER and I was referring to the nearest ER where my brother lives which is Grady.

I was actually being facetious because only an idiot (my brother) would ignore the nearest ER in an actual emergency. If one attempts to drive further for their choice of ER, then either there is no real emergency or the ME will need to be notified once the body is located.

Facetious - sarcasm or saying something in jest. :boxing2:

Thank you for the definition of facetious--now I don't have to look it up in the dictionary. DOH! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:----still rolling on the floor

[tophcfa]

I was actually being facetious because only an idiot (my brother) would ignore the nearest ER in an actual emergency. If one attempts to drive further for their choice of ER, then either there is no real emergency:

Disagree, ignoring the closest ER might be a very wise idea. I’ve only experienced one true actual emergency in my life and made a very bad mistake by choosing the closest ER, the former Villages Hospital. After waiting 12 hours only to be failed miserably by the closest ER, my wife drove me to the ER at a real hospital in Gainesville. They immediately assessed my condition and admitted me straight into their critical care department. The difference in the quality of care I got between the two places couldn’t have possibly been further apart. Thanks to my wife, I was able to get to a hospital that saved my life. Call me jaded from that experience, but there is absolutely no way I’ll ever go back to the ER on El Camino Real.

[asianthree]

Disagree, ignoring the closest ER might be a very wise idea. I’ve only experienced one true actual emergency in my life and made a very bad mistake by choosing the closest ER, the former Villages Hospital. After waiting 12 hours only to be failed miserably by the closest ER, my wife drove me to the ER at a real hospital in Gainesville. They immediately assessed my condition and admitted me straight into their critical care department. The difference in the quality of care I got between the two places couldn’t have possibly been further apart. Thanks to my wife, I was able to get to a hospital that saved my life. Call me jaded from that experience, but there is absolutely no way I’ll ever go back to the ER on El Camino Real.

I rarely make a comment about a facility, however I agree UF is a glorified surgery center. No emergency surgery, either you wait until next day, or shipped out.
While there isn’t anything wrong with the facility itself, or floor staff. Physicians are definitely more miss than a hit.

After closely listening to the on call cardiologist, we both respectfully declined any procedures. Asked for a discharge, which refused, because and I quote “You will die if you walk out” you have no idea what is happening.

My spouse smiled and said, before a physician thinks he can walk on water, you might want to ask a few questions of the patient instead of intimidation. So a little background, I have 10 years of “open heart”, in my 40 plus year career.

So here is what I think is the problem, you have withheld all fluids, no IV, and all meds for 31 hours, for cause and effect. Physician, then looked at my spouse and said this must be confusing to make a decision. I smiled “not really I also have 40 year OR career.

Discharge written. We travel to Gainesville or emergent Leesburg. While no ED is perfect or the facility itself, experience is on our side

[PilotAlan]

Background: I'm a retired paramedic, my wife is a ER director with 40 years in trauma centers. She now runs a standalone ER.

1 - All ERs are not equal, based on certifications they have and what services the hospital has. Some are trauma centers, some are stroke centers, some are cardiac centers, some have hyperbaric medicine, some are burn centers, etc.

2 - In a real emergency, call 911. The EMS crew knows which facilities specialize in what, and where the best place is to go for YOUR specific problem. They also know which hospital's MRI is down, or their cardiac cath lab is down, or they have no orthopedic coverage tonight, or they're on trauma bypass.

3 - Standalone ERs are great for many things, like isolated broken bone, stitches, fever/flu, general illness, chronic conditions, etc. They're great, and they usually have short wait times.
BUT ALSO, they are real ERs with ER doctors and ER nurses, and are fully equipped to handle anything that comes through the door. My wife's handles gunshot wounds, stabbings, cardiac arrests, strokes, etc.
In a life threatening emergency, I would go to the standalone ER across the street rather than wait to go to the hospital ER that's 10 minutes away.
A standalone ER can administer clot-buster drugs to stop a heart attack or a stroke, they can stabilize severe allergic reactions, airway or lung problems, or most other true emergencies and then transfer to the hospital for further care.

[Dlpdo]

I have been involved with 3 ER visits by family members in the last two years. Have had nothing but excellent care. My opinion as a physician.