Hospitals in and near Villages

[Yorio]

We had hiccups on New Year's early morning and we had to call 911. When they arrived, we were told that Village hospital can't accept any more patient. Does anyone know whether Village hospital will be increasing beds anytime soon? I was asked which hospital in Ocala, either Ocala Regional or Munroe but I had no idea but having heard that Ocala Regional was recently designated trauma center, I chose the former. They mentioned Leesburg but I didn't pursue further. If you had to make this decision, would you have had a preference?

[CatskillBill]

We had hiccups on New Year's early morning and we had to call 911. When they arrived, we were told that Village hospital can't accept any more patient. Does anyone know whether Village hospital will be increasing beds anytime soon? I was asked which hospital in Ocala, either Ocala Regional or Munroe but I had no idea but having heard that Ocala Regional was recently designated trauma center, I chose the former. They mentioned Leesburg but I didn't pursue further. If you had to make this decision, would you have had a preference?

Try this method for stopping hiccups: 1. Place a straw in a glass of ice water. 2. Put your index fingers in your ears. 3. Drink all of the water thru the straw.

Works every time, and you won't need 911.

[jpharmat]

During my fathers illness he had to use Leesburg Hospital many times because his doctor had Privileges there. As far as I can tell he received good care there, no complaints on our end. It is easy to get to also.

[Mudder]

I'd always pick Munroe.

[mrfixit]

I'd always pick Munroe.

:agree:

The 5 magic words........Please take me to Munroe

[ilovetv]

I say this respectfully...I honestly can't imagine a case of hiccups thought would require an ambulance and ER visit. Is there some other medical condition that made this an "emergency"?

One reasons the ER's couldn't take more patients is because people over-use them with things that are not emergencies and could be treated at an urgent care center or doctor's office. Just trying to understand.....

[applesoffh]

I understand from neighbors that The Villages hospital was packed on Friday evening. They spent 8 hours in the ER, and my friend ended up being admitted. Said it was chaotic...understaffed, but everyone did the best they could. Guess many snowbirds and holiday guests brought the flu with them. Anyway, with our increasing population, we certainly need more adequate hospital facilities locally. I don't think Marcus Welby would be amused.

[gerryann]

I say this respectfully...I honestly can't imagine a case of hiccups thought would require an ambulance and ER visit. Is there some other medical condition that made this an "emergency"?

One reasons the ER's couldn't take more patients is because people over-use them with things that are not emergencies and could be treated at an urgent care center or doctor's office. Just trying to understand.....

I was going to ask about the hiccups as well, but didn't want to appear insensitive. I've never heard of someone going to the hospital for this. Is there something that I'm not understanding?

[Emery Eaton]

Munroe is a great hospital in Ocala. I believe The Villages Hospital is part of Central Florida Health Alliance, which also included the hospital in Leesburg. It is probaly just as close as Munroe in Ocala. Munroe is probably better in most cases if you can't get to The Villages Hospital.
I ended up in the Villages Hospital with a "Disected Vertebral Artery", and the found it, which is rare. Usually it goes undiagnosed, and the person ends up dead two-three weeks later, so I must say that hospital is a great hospital. They ended up sending me to Shands in Gainesville, which is the best in the area.

[graciegirl]

I was going to ask about the hiccups as well, but didn't want to appear insensitive. I've never heard of someone going to the hospital for this. Is there something that I'm not understanding?

I was wondering too.

I found this link

What Causes Hiccups and Are Hiccups Dangerous? - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com (http://voices.yahoo.com/what-causes-hiccups-hiccups-dangerous-6457064.html?cat=5)

[SALYBOW]

I just retired :pepper2: from TVRH. I have been told that they are adding 60 more beds because they are always overcrowded. Some of the reasoning behind their decision is as follows:
1. Because of the cutbacks in Medicare funding the in patient aspect of health care is no longer profitable. Therefore they allowed their Certificate of Need in Brownwood expire. They will not be building a new hospital there. Most Health Alliances are switching to out patient options. TVRH is 84% Medicare dependent so they are being hit harder than most hospitals in America. IMHO there should be some accommodation made for hospitals who have so many Medicare patients. Not trying to get political here but we need to ask congress if there is any hope there.

2. I have been in Munroe in Ocala and was very much impressed with my care there.

3. I had an outpatient operations at Marion West (Munroe's Country Club edition) and was equally impressed.
I have no regrets from either visit.

I hope this actually answers your question since it seemed sincere.

Hopefully we will not need it. :pray:

[Yorio]

Thank you for the information from all of you and it wasn't really a "hiccup" but an acute case of gall bladder stones. Of course, we found about it after the fact. Final surgery was done in Orlando but wanted to find out your experience in case of a 911 situation at The Villages and if The Village hospital is booked solid. Thought our experience and your input will help those in similar situation for the future. Thanks.

[billethkid]

my choices are:
Leesburg Hospital
Monroe Regional Care Hospital (there is a branch here now on 441)
Florida Hospital
The Villages

We have standing orders that in the event of an emergency....Leesburg first.

btk

[rp001]

I just had a horrific experience at The Villages Hospital. I was transported by ems during the night for a non-life threatening condition and was treated promptly. However I had to return 36 hrs later to have the temp "patch" removed. No other doctor would touch it as it was put in by someone else. I sat for 5 hrs. During that time I witnessed several people brought in by ems and placed in the waiting room for literally hours. I saw a man that had just been diagnosed with a stroke, and whose wife works there as a nurse, wait for several hours till he finally called someone and transported himself to Leesburg. I saw three elderly folks brought in by ems just placed in the waiting room. I saw a man with a dislocated shoulder sit for three hours. I finally asked a triage nurse what the maximum time anyone had waited and she said 12 hrs. I said thanks and that meant that I'd be home that night I was upbeat and happy. I then announced to the entire waiting room the info I was given and everyone got a laugh. At that point a very young "floor supv" opened up the floodgates literally. It seems back in pre-op they had waiting beds, doctors,and nurses not doing much of anything. Anyways I got in right away after that. Seems to be totally mismanaged and wrongfully utilized. Locals and snowbirds are using that er as a clinic and it is not being used for true emergency care. Seems the two should be separated. As a footnote I heard from a nurse there that Munroe Regional had been DENIED a Needs request as they said there was not a true need for another hospital here. Seems to be a design to not allow competition. How very sad, as this is not in any form quality health care.

[graciegirl]

Is a temp patch used to tell temperature? How do they remove a temp patch? Is it positioned underskin level? I thought they were like bandaids.

I can't imagine a stroke patient being denied intravenous blood thinners immediately. I can understand a dislocated shoulder being behind a breathing emergency and if there are too many not life threatening cases there, sadly they have to wait. That is what triage is for.

BUT..............This is all very troubling.

[Kai7081]

Just as a FYI, Munroe has been sold to Duke University as a dor profit hospital starting in 2014, and the hospital in Leesburg has also been sold and also will be operating as a for profit as well.

[Challenger]

Hmmm------ Citations please - Duke is not for profit . A sale of a community(not for profit) hospital would have been big news with lots of citizen controversy As you can tell, I am somewhat skeptical about this post.

[Didiwinbob]

KAI701
Tell me more about the purchases. I will be moving to the Villages sept- feb and would like a heads up on the medical facilities in the area


Chris

[Challenger]

Hmmm------ Citations please - Duke is not for profit . A sale of a community(not for profit) hospital would have been big news with lots of citizen controversy As you can tell, I am somewhat skeptical about this post.

Hmmmm
Since the poster has not responded to my querry for more info , I suppose the statements are just gossip . Not very helpful to people seeking facts about TV

[Bobbie416]

This is very frightening. I have serious cardiac issues. Back home, in the New York City area, I have had to go to the hospital by ambulance for life threatening issues a few times. In those circumstances, I would usually go to the closest hospital unless it was felt that there was enough time to get me to my hospital of choice. I have been in situations where time was crucial. Can anyone verify that a patient with a stroke was left waiting without any attention? I would not be here today if I had had to wait hours for treatment. In fact, where I live technicians are in touch with the doctors by telephone from the ambulance, when necessary, and care is started in the ambulance. Do they have this in The Villages?

Another issue. It was said in this thread that the Emergency Room was busy because so many people had the flu. Why would someone with flu symptoms go to the Emergency Room rather than to an Urgent Care type center or a private doctor? I can understand the need if there are life threatening complications, but a typical person with flu like symptoms does not need Emergency Room treatment.

[Bonny]

This is very frightening. I have serious cardiac issues. Back home, in the New York City area, I have had to go to the hospital by ambulance for life threatening issues a few times. In those circumstances, I would usually go to the closest hospital unless it was felt that there was enough time to get me to my hospital of choice. I have been in situations where time was crucial. Can anyone verify that a patient with a stroke was left waiting without any attention? I would not be here today if I had had to wait hours for treatment. In fact, where I live technicians are in touch with the doctors by telephone from the ambulance, when necessary, and care is started in the ambulance. Do they have this in The Villages?

Another issue. It was said in this thread that the Emergency Room was busy because so many people had the flu. Why would someone with flu symptoms go to the Emergency Room rather than to an Urgent Care type center or a private doctor? I can understand the need if there are life threatening complications, but a typical person with flu like symptoms does not need Emergency Room treatment.

I would think that as people get older, it could be pneumonia.

[rp001]

Is a temp patch used to tell temperature? How do they remove a temp patch? Is it positioned underskin level? I thought they were like bandaids.

I can't imagine a stroke patient being denied intravenous blood thinners immediately. I can understand a dislocated shoulder being behind a breathing emergency and if there are too many not life threatening cases there, sadly they have to wait. That is what triage is for.

BUT..............This is all very troubling.

Gracie, the "temp patch'" was a balloon insert in the sinus cavity for uncontrolled nosebleed, supposedly caused by bronchitis (coughing). Once inserted by this hospital I could find no one else that would take a chance to remove it, including urgent care or my doctor.That is what I meant by "non life threatening". the stroke patient had received the initial test results from his doctor and had been told to report to the er immediately for admission. There were no rooms available. That is when his wife(a nurse) intervened, after a 3 hour wait,and had him moved to Leesburg.

[loonlovers]

I just returned home to TV this afternoon after a six day stay at Monroe Regional Hospital. My ambulance was "diverted" by The Villages Regional MC last Tuesday morning to Monroe (my choice). My experience at MRMC was exceptional care by both the medical and nursing staff. Unfortunately, I was removed from my ambulance stretcher to a crowded ER waiting room where i remained for more than five hours after suffering a TIA and severe hypertension. I was not alone...many ambulance patients joined me in the long wait to get to the exam room. There were more patients at Monroe than they could possibly accommodate but they were trying!
There was then another long wait for a hospital bed in the stroke unit. Once in Neurology, I received outstanding care while the staff battled to lower my BP from the critical stage. I was not sure I ever would return home but the staff stayed with and encouraged me for two long days in "hell."

I have been a patient at the Villages Regional and my experiences with nursing staff were so negative that I was contacted by a patient care manager who documented my difficulties, told me that I would be contacted by hospital staff and apologized for the substandard nursing care.

Last night my roommate at Monroe coded and I watched their team in action. It was horrifying experience for me that lasted nearly all night. Since it was too late to try to move me, a nurse sat holding my hands while I cried and prayed for a very sick elderly lady who was going through her own "hell." Never have I seen nursing staff working so hard to keep someone alive. I will continue to pray for her and ask God to bless those who struggled to bring her back. Last I knew early this morning she was still in ICU.

I would have returned last week to TVRH had I not been diverted. Now, I hope I never have to return and my first request will be to Monroe. I can't say enough about the nurses at Monroe......very professional, kind, compassionate and well trained. Kudos to Monroe.

Sorry to have rambled so long (since I don't post often) but I wanted you all to know that there is one outstanding facility just up the road in Ocala.

[StarbuckSammy]

Thank you Loonlovers for your insightful post...glad you are home and well.

[lynn22]

A scary thing happened to me three days ago. I had chest pain radiating to my back it lasted about a half hour. I had never experienced this before. Being nurse and an inexperienced villager when it comes to hospitals, I called The Villages hospital . I told the person who answered what my symptoms were she told me they were very crowded and the hospital was full . I asked if I should come to the ER she said if I came I would have to wait she could not guarantee how long. I said "but I have chest pain would I not be seen right away?" She said she could just tell me I would have to be seen by the triage nurse and that would take some time.she asked me to hold on and never came back. I decided to drive to the fire station to ask where to go . They took me inside did a quick EKG called 911 and I was transported to Ocala regional hospital. I was lucky had a stress test a cardiac cath home today after three days in the hospital. The nurses were fine , I was satisfied with the Dr who did the cath . But I would like to know why more people posting like Munroe in case this happens again. I do hope The Villages hospital gets it together so we can live here and not fear getting seriously ill.

[duffysmom]

The frightening thing about these horror stories is that the posters on TOTV are a small fraction of the people living in TV. To the people kind enough to post their painful experiences thank you. In the past I've driven 3 hours to Mayo for treatment but in the case of an emergency it's a crap shoot as to whether or not you will get treatment in time. God help us!!