Questionable Healthcare in the Villages

[SandB]

Last week we moved into our new home in The Villages and we are very excited to finally be here. My 90 year old mother-in-law lives with us and had a significant health problem. We took her to The Villages Regional Hospital emergency room and had to wait 7 hours before a doctor could see her. In the meantime her breathing became more labored and exhaustion set in. This did not motivate the ER staff to help. Finally, she was admitted at 2:00 AM. The next evening the staff forgot to provide her dinner. Two hours late they did provide her a sandwich.

Our experience may have been an anomaly but it does raise the concern of healthcare in general in The Villages. I hope we did not make a mistake in moving here.

[gocubsgo]

A friend of mine went to TV emergency room with a finger half cut off from a saw. He sat in the waiting room for 6 hours waiting to be seen with a bloody towel wrapped around his hand! It is the worst hospital emergency room I have ever seen. If something happens to me, I will drive to Ocala and go to Munroe.

[graciegirl]

I am thinking that maybe you should have called EMS in both situations?

Both could access the problem and give emergency care. I am pretty sure they do ekgs. And they do know the status of the local emergency rooms.

I have to say that my honest opinion is that we left better choices in healthcare behind and that is possibly because so many of us are on Medicare. And....I can't support that argument with any logical explanation.

I am .....confused. It may be that we haven't found the right M.D. yet. The one we have is o.k. but not a perfect fit.

I am confused by a sign in his office that they will not be taking anymore self pay patients. We have insurance but...wonder why they have opted not to accept people who pay for healthcare themselves?

This is the first time we have not lived close to a large teaching hospital and medical school.

We have heard good reports from close friends about hospital care at Sharon Morse but thankfully haven't needed any hospital care. When our grandson had an asthma attack he was immediatly cared for at the hospital emergency room.

Being old doens't put you to the head of the line here, there are a lot of older folks here if you have noticed.

[Madelaine Amee]

Last week we moved into our new home in The Villages and we are very excited to finally be here. My 90 year old mother-in-law lives with us and had a significant health problem. We took her to The Villages Regional Hospital emergency room and had to wait 7 hours before a doctor could see her. In the meantime her breathing became more labored and exhaustion set in. This did not motivate the ER staff to help. Finally, she was admitted at 2:00 AM. The next evening the staff forgot to provide her dinner. Two hours late they did provide her a sandwich.

Our experience may have been an anomaly but it does raise the concern of healthcare in general in The Villages. I hope we did not make a mistake in moving here.

I don't wish to appear rude, but I'm going to assume you did not just arrive, buy a house and move in. Did you visit to see what TV was like before deciding to live here, if so when your decision was made to move a 90 year old lady I think you should have set her up with a doctor along with all of her medical records just in case you had a problem. To just haul her off to a hospital and have her sit for hours was definitely too much for her.

You will read horror stories here on this site about our medical care and our hospitals, but we have NEVER had a problem with either a doctor or the local hospital. If this hospital cannot help you they will have you sent to the best major hospital in the area.

For future needs, keep in mind that we have four or five excellent critical care clinics within the immediate area. She would not have to wait 7 hrs at a clinic, and if she needed immediate hospital attention they would call an ambulance and have her admitted to one of the local hospitals.

I don't think you have made a mistake in moving here, it is an incredible place to live.

[OldDave]

This is the second such story I've seen just in the last few days here. I wasn't too worried until Gracie also seems to think there is a problem. Frankly as someone who has had more than their share of ER visits, it terrifies me.

Can you explain what is causing these long delays in the ER? Are they understaffed, are they just overwhelmed with too many patients coming to the ER? There must be come explanation for this. Can anyone shed some light on this cause and whether it is like this everyday, or just in some cases..

And what is the closest hospital with a well run ER?

Thanks,

Dave

[gomoho]

I don't wish to appear rude, but I'm going to assume you did not just arrive, buy a house and move in. Did you visit to see what TV was like before deciding to live here, if so when your decision was made to move a 90 year old lady I think you should have set her up with a doctor along with all of her medical records just in case you had a problem. To just haul her off to a hospital and have her sit for hours was definitely too much for her.

You will read horror stories here on this site about our medical care and our hospitals, but we have NEVER had a problem with either a doctor or the local hospital. If this hospital cannot help you they will have you sent to the best major hospital in the area.

For future needs, keep in mind that we have four or five excellent critical care clinics within the immediate area. She would not have to wait 7 hrs at a clinic, and if she needed immediate hospital attention they would call an ambulance and have her admitted to one of the local hospitals.

I don't think you have made a mistake in moving here, it is an incredible place to live.

Where exactly are the "critical care clinics"? or are you referring to urgent care centers. Big difference between "critical care" and "urgent care". Just wondering if I'm missing something here.

[villagerjack]

Perhaps Gracie, the "self pay" patients are really "no pay" patients, without insurance? I have not been to the emergency room but that may be where the " self pay/ no pay/ patients also wind up? I would have called 911 for my 90 year old or went to one of the many Urgent Care facilities. We have used these Urgent Cares with excellent results. Sime ebpven fill prescriptions right in the office.

In the initial case cited, the Emergency Room was a poor first choise. Live and kearn.

[villagerjack]

A friend of mine went to TV emergency room with a finger half cut off from a saw. He sat in the waiting room for 6 hours waiting to be seen with a bloody towel wrapped around his hand! It is the worst hospital emergency room I have ever seen. If something happens to me, I will drive to Ocala and go to Munroe.

Better to call EMS 911 in a case like that rather than go to a busy Emergency Room.

[OldDave]

I suppose if a person knew there were issues at this ER, it might be a mistake to take their mother there. BUT, all things being equal I would never take anyone that I thought was seriously ill to an Urgent Care facility instead of a hosptial ER. The hosptial has all the equipment and staff you should need, the Urgent Care, certainly not. We went to one while we where their to have blood drawn for a test that my Opthmologist wanted. They were perfectly nice, but there wasn't even a doctor there, just a PA. Clearly they weren't set up for serious cases. And for what it's worth, the one we went to said they were owned by the hospital.

I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal.

[villagerjack]

I suppose if a person knew there were issues at this ER, it might be a mistake to take their mother there. BUT, all things being equal I would never take anyone that I thought was seriously ill to an Urgent Care facility instead of a hosptial ER. The hosptial has all the equipment and staff you should need, the Urgent Care, certainly not. We went to one while we where their to have blood drawn for a test that my Opthmologist wanted. They were perfectly nice, but there wasn't even a doctor there, just a PA. Clearly they weren't set up for serious cases. And for what it's worth, the one we went to said they were owned by the hospital.

I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal.

If you keep doin' what you are doin' you keep gettin' what you arr gettin' Anything serious, call 911. We had a friend pass away years ago, in his 50s because his wife decided to drive him to the hospital. He died in the car.

[DDoug]

To a point I agree with people about med care. Every time I find a good dr. he moves or just disappears. The offices are like franchises and hire the dr. but it doesnt work. Wait till Obamacare kicks in you think it's bad now

[buggyone]

"I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal."

This is definitely the wrong decision to make. If a person comes to an ER by car, they will be treated but it will take time for a non-life threatening condition to be seen. If they come by ambulance, they will be evaluated right away. If the 90 year old lady had a serious breathing issue, the EMS's from the 911 ambulance would have been able to give oxygen promptly as well as assuring she would have been evaluated right away at the hospital.

Urgent Care centers are not for situations that are life threatening. They should be used for cases of flu, dehydration, or things like that when your family doctor is closed.

[villagerjack]

"I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal."

This is definitely the wrong decision to make. If a person comes to an ER by car, they will be treated but it will take time for a non-life threatening condition to be seen. If they come by ambulance, they will be evaluated right away. If the 90 year old lady had a serious breathing issue, the EMS's from the 911 ambulance would have been able to give oxygen promptly as well as assuring she would have been evaluated right away at the hospital.

Urgent Care centers are not for situations that are life threatening. They should be used for cases of flu, dehydration, or things like that when your family doctor is closed.

I agree with everything you said. While people complain about some things like not having a doctor in an Urgent care, they seem to be opOK with a "self diagnosis" , the worst kind. Call 911 when ever in doubt.

[graciegirl]

I suppose if a person knew there were issues at this ER, it might be a mistake to take their mother there. BUT, all things being equal I would never take anyone that I thought was seriously ill to an Urgent Care facility instead of a hosptial ER. The hosptial has all the equipment and staff you should need, the Urgent Care, certainly not. We went to one while we where their to have blood drawn for a test that my Opthmologist wanted. They were perfectly nice, but there wasn't even a doctor there, just a PA. Clearly they weren't set up for serious cases. And for what it's worth, the one we went to said they were owned by the hospital.

I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal.

The OP didn't say what the emergency was but heart issues and breathing issues and serious bleeding issues take precedent over all others I am told. That is what a triage nurse is for, to sort out those who have immediate life threatening issues. If a person could be experiencing heart issues then they should be transported, at least that is my non medical opinion.

[justjim]

I agree a wait for 7 hrs at the ER for anybody 90 years old with a breathing problem is totally unacceptable. We have been in TV for six years---seems to me this has been a problem from the "get go" with The Villages Hospital ER. Isn't it about time that this situation is improved? During the winter months it seems obvious that the ER needs additional staff to take care of the increase patients. They (the hospital) could certainly do better!

[rjm1cc]

This is the second such story I've seen just in the last few days here. I wasn't too worried until Gracie also seems to think there is a problem. Frankly as someone who has had more than their share of ER visits, it terrifies me.

Can you explain what is causing these long delays in the ER? Are they understaffed, are they just overwhelmed with too many patients coming to the ER? There must be come explanation for this. Can anyone shed some light on this cause and whether it is like this everyday, or just in some cases..

And what is the closest hospital with a well run ER?

Thanks,

Dave
This is not uncommon up North. I think the flue is the current problem. I think it is basically demand exceeding staffing. However, as costs have to be cut to keep the doors open I would expect longer waits.

[justjim]

This is not uncommon up North. I think the flue is the current problem. I think it is basically demand exceeding staffing. However, as costs have to be cut to keep the doors open I would expect longer waits.

OP'S 90 year old mother was admitted----but after 7 hours! Yes, there is a staffing problem. It's not just during the so called snowbird season either. I personally know of a next door neighbor and a friend who had a 4 and 5 hour wait after accidents (in pain with broken bones) and it was not during the winter. The neighbor had a week hospital stay. If we want to be Florida's Healthiest Hometown, the Villages Hospital ER is going to have to do better and I believe it's possible for them to improve with aggressive management and administration. We should expect better!

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Last week we moved into our new home in The Villages and we are very excited to finally be here. My 90 year old mother-in-law lives with us and had a significant health problem. We took her to The Villages Regional Hospital emergency room and had to wait 7 hours before a doctor could see her. In the meantime her breathing became more labored and exhaustion set in. This did not motivate the ER staff to help. Finally, she was admitted at 2:00 AM. The next evening the staff forgot to provide her dinner. Two hours late they did provide her a sandwich.

Our experience may have been an anomaly but it does raise the concern of healthcare in general in The Villages. I hope we did not make a mistake in moving here.

I would have called EMS. If you go in by EMS they will see you pronto

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I also cannot image someone calling an ambulance for someone who was mobile and had a person to drive them, again all things being equal.

You can be mobil and have someone to drive you and still be in an emergent life threatening situation and need to call 911 EMS. For example, respiratory distress, heart attack, stroke, bleeding, head injury and numerous other situations. In most of these cases not only will you get priority treatment at the ER but EMS is trained to start the evaluation and can provide O2, clot busting meds and other treatments before you even arrive at the ER

[StarbuckSammy]

There seems to be a real problem with The Villages ER...come on folks...the complaints have been going on for years and years. It is an issue. Even the POA looked into it. Some good ER's will post the wait time on their web site...would The Villages Hospital ER dare to do that?

[rubicon]

He who doctors himself has a fool for a patient"". Conversely suggesting that to bypass TV ER by calling an EMS may leave more vunerable victims left to wait too long. Conversely suggesting Urgent Care over Emergency Care can also create problems.

It is true that The Villages Hospital ahs had problems from day one and it continues. Why????? Is there a dis-interest by medical providers to offer better care because mediare is primary for most of us ?????

My preference is to utilize the Munroe system and hospital. After a number of disappointments with primary care doctors in The Villages, at his suggestion, I use my cardiologist as my primary care doctor because i can rely on him and his staff. He is thorough, caring and will spend the necessary time with you.

[llaran]

If at all possible do not go to the er here or in leesburg - get a dr the has privlieges at Monroe or Ocala Regional - the er is about a half an hour

[dbenzie]

He who doctors himself has a fool for a patient"". Conversely suggesting that to bypass TV ER by calling an EMS may leave more vunerable victims left to wait too long. Conversely suggesting Urgent Care over Emergency Care can also create problems.

It is true that The Villages Hospital ahs had problems from day one and it continues. Why????? Is there a dis-interest by medical providers to offer better care because mediare is primary for most of us ?????

My preference is to utilize the Munroe system and hospital. After a number of disappointments with primary care doctors in The Villages, at his suggestion, I use my cardiologist as my primary care doctor because i can rely on him and his staff. He is thorough, caring and will spend the necessary time with you.

Who is your Cardiologist??

[Roaddog53]

This is the second such story I've seen just in the last few days here. I wasn't too worried until Gracie also seems to think there is a problem. Frankly as someone who has had more than their share of ER visits, it terrifies me.

Can you explain what is causing these long delays in the ER? Are they understaffed, are they just overwhelmed with too many patients coming to the ER? There must be come explanation for this. Can anyone shed some light on this cause and whether it is like this everyday, or just in some cases..

And what is the closest hospital with a well run ER?

Thanks,

Dave

I too am a bit puzzled by a 7 hour wait and long delays. Most ERs take critical patients first, but I doubt that there was 7 hours of critical patients at one time. Are they short staffed? Too many people going there for "minor" reasons vs. maybe an outpatient care center? I have also seen/heard in the past people coming into ERs with "Fake" issues to be seen sooner. A friend of ours was the ER nurse supervisor. Slows the process?
Other option for them would be to ask how long it would be and when they tell you they don't know, or hours, go somewhere else if you think you will get in faster. Or... As GG says, go home, call the EMS and have them take care of it :)

[renielarson]

Ever since we became Villagers in 2005, there has been a general consensus that The Villages does not have the best hospital or the best doctors. Not everyone believes that but the majority does.

For that reason, I was hesitant choosing a primary care physician when we moved here. Then I became ill and had no choice but to go to Urgent Care for treatment. I told the Urgent Care doctor of my dilemma...not knowing where to go to find a good general physician. I was advised, by this Urgent Care physician, to go outside The Villages and was given names of 3 doctors elsewhere.

I researched all 3 and chose one. I have to drive about 30 minutes to his office but it's worth every mile. He is not only a doctor with great pr, but he also takes his time with me, doesn't rush my appointment, talks to me in layman terms, and is very thorough.

I put my faith in the Urgent Care physician and was led to a doctor I trust.

[skip0358]

There are times the Ambulance Service is abused but consider this. Your 90 year old Mom is having trouble breathing or chest pains and you decide to drive them instead of calling 911. After 10 minutes in the car they go unconscious or go into Cardiac Arrest what now, you have to call 911 for transport or they'll be dead before you reach the Hospital. The FD and EMS service in TV has very professionally staffed personnel on duty 24x7. Use them the right way. The Hospital ER is far to often used for a Clinic which ties up beds and slows done ER care. Non Life Threatening people should go to a Dr or Urgent Care facility if they are available.

[Jhooman]

Last July I was in hideous pain with diverticulitis. I went to The Village hospital and was treated with dignity, care and diligence. The next day I had surgery for a perforated colon and colostomy bag. I was hospitalized for 10 days. My treatment was fabulous, the food not so good.

Three months ago I had my colostomy reversed at The Village hospital. Once again, I was teated well, except the food was still hideous. Dr. Han, my surgeon was on top of my situation.

I'm currently using a doctor in Orlando for general needs. The so called doc here in TV is inept. My husband and I fired her.

We are still shopping for a family doctor or internist locally. During this search, I will drive to Orlando for my basic medical needs.

[ssmith]

.....I work in Cardiology up North....I am worried about the Medical there too. I have seen the medical profession decide they run like a business...I do understand....they need to pay bills too.....but I believe in some cases it has become a moral issue. You see Medicare does not pay well....most in that area are on Medicare....too much hastle. Why would a doctor move there to practice when he can make more money elsewhere....with less Medicare patients....where in Ocala or elsewhere there is a lesser percentage of Medicare patients. Sorry just reality! We have similar issue up north...most Cardiology patients are on Medicare....we have had to make some drastic decisions regarding this to make it profitable.

I wonder if many temp visitors go to the ER cause of insurance...less hastle. I also wonder if some go to the ER cause the flu can be quite serious for the those with compromised health issues (ie already have heart issues etc).

I do agree about calling EMS....what may seem like a simple issue with chest pain etc can quickly become life threatening and I feel sorry for the loved one put in that position of driving and then someone becomes critical on the way. With this being said....common sense should rule....No need for EMS for fever and chills ...if you get my drift.

Again I am glad there is good medical just 1/2 hr away and at times I do know that you should not drive that far if it is a very dire situaltion but...in many major cities it takes a half hours to just go a few miles so be sure to weigh that in the decision process as well.

Take care all of you and glad this is coming to the forefront so everyone can make wise decisions. It definitely would not keep me from moving there if only I could.

[fraurauch]

My husband has been to the TV ER twice. Each time he has spent 7 to 8 hours in the examining room before he was admitted. Then after his hospitalization, when the doctor told him he could go home, it took the same amount of time to get him out of there. While he was there, the care was good. There is something wrong with the way they are doing things at that hospital.

[Villages Kahuna]

Last week we moved into our new home in The Villages and we are very excited to finally be here. My 90 year old mother-in-law lives with us and had a significant health problem. We took her to The Villages Regional Hospital emergency room and had to wait 7 hours before a doctor could see her. In the meantime her breathing became more labored and exhaustion set in. This did not motivate the ER staff to help. Finally, she was admitted at 2:00 AM. The next evening the staff forgot to provide her dinner. Two hours late they did provide her a sandwich.

Our experience may have been an anomaly but it does raise the concern of healthcare in general in The Villages. I hope we did not make a mistake in moving here.There's a reason why Villages Health is very actively in the process of hiring 64 new primary care physicians to man the eight new primary care offices under construction and to be opened shortly in The Villages. Think about it.

The problems with TVRH ER are legendary. I had to use rthe ER entrance a couple weeks ago to get a test done, which had been pre-arranged and express-registered by my physician. When I arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, the parking lot was filled with cars and there wasn't even one open chair in the ER waiting room. The admitting staff had no idea about my "express registration" and didn't know where to look for it or who to call.

Everyone needs to form their own opinion and make their own choices about which hospital to use and which doctors to choose. Maybe a place to start would be to ask each and every doctor you come in contact with whether they would use TVRH or permit their family to be admitted there. I got an amazing--and disturbing--series or answers, comments and anecdotes regarding the hospital from the four local doctors who I asked that question. Don't believe all that is said in this thread or even what I have posted. Do your own research.

The issues certainly aren't the physical plant. But it's pretty clear that both the quantity and quality of doctors with privileges at TVRH, and the management of the hospital itself needs attention. I'm of a belief that the problems at TVRH are well known and will ultimately be corrected. But to create and grow a hospital at the same pace that The Villages itself is growing will take time. I just hope not too much time.

[Villages Kahuna]

If at all possible do not go to the er here or in leesburg - get a dr the has privlieges at Monroe or Ocala Regional - the er is about a half an hourThat's the same advice I got from two local doctors in The Villages. If anything, they had a preference for Ocala Regional.

[mrfixit]

....

[mommieswamie]

Christmas day I woke up quite sick, knowing that a problem that I had ignored for several months was now very serious. Not wishing to spoil Christmas for my family, I drove myself to the ER, managed to park my car and get myself into the hospital ER. My wait time - 15 seconds!! NO this was not a dream - it was reality and NO I was not at The Villages hospital. I was in Greenville, SC, where prior to going to the ER, I registered online using their check-in site called "inquicker.com". If you look at this website, you will see that many hospital ERs are now using this online check-in method to avoid wait times.

After being seen in the ER in Greenville, I was admitted for a severe infection - Cellulitis on both legs. After my hospital stay in Greenville, I returned home to The Villages. The day after returning home, I knew I was still sick. So I called my doctor - granted it was late at night. He told me that he was going to admit me, but he wanted me to go in through the ER for immediate treatment. After waiting 7 hours in the ER waiting room, in severe pain, I got out my IPad and looked at "inquicker.com". The closest hospital that used that check-in procedure was in Tampa. I saw that I could check-in online for that hospital and be seen 45 minutes from the time that I was looking at the website. It crossed my mind briefly to check-in online, get in the car and drive to Tampa to be seen immediately. Instead, I waited another 4 hours to even get a room in the ER, then almost another 12 to my hospital room. During this time, I told every staff member that I saw about "inquicker.com". I also made the decision, that if a doctor ever tells me again that they are going to admit me, but I need to go in through the ER, the answer will be - either a direct admit or I will go to another hospital and will, of course, end up with another doctor.

Now with regard to EMS services for prompt treatment in the ER (Apparently EMS services have options as to what they do with you when they take you to the hospital) I recently had a kidney stone. I did not know that it was a kidney stone at the time. All I knew was that I had pain at a 10+. Paramedics arrived and I was "lucky" enough to get a crew with one member with an "attitude". He did not like the way I answer one of his questions - mind you I am in 10+ pain - so he said that unless I "cooperated" with him by answering his question to his satisfaction, he would just take me to the ER and "dump me in the waiting room where I could wait for 7 hours with everyone else".

Inpatient in The Villages hospital, I have had excellent treatment.

Just some of my recent experiences. Granted everyone's experiences are different.

[NotGolfer]

We all can be pro-active with this one. We can write letters to the hospital administrator when things aren't going well in the ER. IF they get enough of these, I'm almost sure that will get their attention.

I for one have had an experience with the ER and ultimately being admitted to TV hospital. The ER from my perspective was a bit slow in making things move quickly. I too was in pain at 10+ BUT that being said...they do do triage which means the worse to least needing care. We can't see beyond our 4 walls what is going on.

Just the other day I had a "wrong number" call from someone at T.V. hospital calling to inquire how a stay had been. After telling her she had a wrong # I reiterrated to her if it made any difference....that my care was very good there.

[Villager Dude]

We all can be pro-active with this one. We can write letters to the hospital administrator when things aren't going well in the ER. IF they get enough of these, I'm almost sure that will get their attention.

I for one have had an experience with the ER and ultimately being admitted to TV hospital. The ER from my perspective was a bit slow in making things move quickly. I too was in pain at 10+ BUT that being said...they do do triage which means the worse to least needing care. We can't see beyond our 4 walls what is going on.

Just the other day I had a "wrong number" call from someone at T.V. hospital calling to inquire how a stay had been. After telling her she had a wrong # I reiterrated to her if it made any difference....that my care was very good there.

A few years ago I had heard there was going to be another hospital built at Brownwwod . I have not heard this recently so I guess it has been delayed or scuttled.

Does anyone know ?

[champion6]

A few years ago I had heard there was going to be another hospital built at Brownwood. I have not heard this recently so I guess it has been delayed or scuttled.

Does anyone know ?Their plan is now to expand the existing facility at the main campus.

[cquick]

After being seen in the ER in Greenville, I was admitted for a severe infection - Cellulitis on both legs. After my hospital stay in Greenville, I returned home to The Villages. The day after returning home, I knew I was still sick. So I called my doctor - granted it was late at night. He told me that he was going to admit me, but he wanted me to go in through the ER for immediate treatment. After waiting 7 hours in the ER waiting room, in severe pain,. I waited another 4 hours to even get a room in the ER, then almost another 12 to my hospital room.
Now with regard to EMS services for prompt treatment in the ER I recently had a kidney stone. I did not know that it was a kidney stone at the time. All I knew was that I had pain at a 10+. Paramedics arrived and did not like the way I answer one of his questions - mind you I am in 10+ pain - so he said that unless I "cooperated" with him by answering his question to his satisfaction, he would just take me to the ER and "dump me in the waiting room where I could wait for 7 hours with everyone else".

Inpatient in The Villages hospital, I have had excellent treatment.

Just some of my recent experiences. Granted everyone's experiences are different.

oh, my dear! how awful for you! The times you waited were ridiculous....and I do hope you called the EMS people after you got better to find out the names of the people in the EMS crew who dealt with you.....nobody should be treated so poorly.

Hope you are better now.

[Jim 9922]

We all can be pro-active with this one. We can write letters to the hospital administrator when things aren't going well in the ER. IF they get enough of these, I'm almost sure that will get their attention.

.

I doubt whether letters to the administrator will get us much satisfaction. He is the one who set up and controls the current staffing and procedural guidelines, and I am sure, receives daily reports on what is currently going on. Perhaps more corrective action would result if lots of letters were sent to the State agency responsible for governing hospital operations and lots more letters to the "big city" news reporter who loves to go rabid on Villages operations and problems. A good series of solid expose' articles should raise some dust.:clap2:

[billethkid]

the issues with emergency room treatment (or lack of it) has been around for too many years now. Is there any doubt in anybody's mind the powers that be are aware? Of course they are. Improvements as a result.....none perceptable yet.

Those who work there know the problems as well and all they can do is the best possible with what they have.

Why no improvement? I have a hypothesis: too high a percentage of patients that are medicare insured. Hence much lower revenue per patient than other non retirement populations that have a younger than medicare average age.
As a result it becomes more challenging for administrators to meet the bottom line/financial goals.

For too many years now the objective of hospitals has shifted from a patient priority orientation to a financial/business priority. Two totally different concepts.

Look at the bright side. As bad as things may be at TV hospital, it is as good as it will ever be. With the new health care laws going into effect and the associated rising costs and reduced per patient compensation....IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE!!!!!!!

When known issues and problems persist in an environment owned and operated by supposedly intelligent folks and boards one need not wonder too long about why is that. Check out the priority measurememnts and accountability goals and objectives of the administration.

For all the bragging and boasting about the quality of care from the "health care alliance" powers that be.....shame on them for deriliction of their duty....knowingly allowing undue pain and suffering as a result of not providing sufficient resources to appropriately care for the critical and hurting
patient.

We all know many of TV hospital board. How many have written them or called them and expressed displeasure over these too many incidents?
In today's let us not offend anybody society.....not enough!!!!

What a testimony to the spectacular health care at TV hospital...instructions to emergency crew....DO NOT TAKE ME TO TV ER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btk

[Joaniesmom]

I don't wish to appear rude, but I'm going to assume you did not just arrive, buy a house and move in. Did you visit to see what TV was like before deciding to live here, if so when your decision was made to move a 90 year old lady I think you should have set her up with a doctor along with all of her medical records just in case you had a problem. To just haul her off to a hospital and have her sit for hours was definitely too much for her.

You will read horror stories here on this site about our medical care and our hospitals, but we have NEVER had a problem with either a doctor or the local hospital. If this hospital cannot help you they will have you sent to the best major hospital in the area.

For future needs, keep in mind that we have four or five excellent critical care clinics within the immediate area. She would not have to wait 7 hrs at a clinic, and if she needed immediate hospital attention they would call an ambulance and have her admitted to one of the local hospitals.

I don't think you have made a mistake in moving here, it is an incredible place to live.

I totally agree.

Having worked for years at a large hospital up north, I can assure you that situations like that happen everywhere. Part of the problem is that we are in the midst of a pretty bad flu epidemic at the heart of the winter season. Medical facilities are stretched to their limits, staff are exhausted, overloaded and possibly ill themselves.

Having said that, it is unfortunate that that the poor lady had to suffer. I hope she is currently doing well. If that circumstance happened to me, I would have spoken,very politely and often, to the staff advising them of her status.

I have found several doctors here that I like even better than the ones at "home." Keep looking, they are out there.

[mulligan]

Seriously ??? I'll bet you can count, on 1 hand, the number of developers that built a full service hospital in conjunction with housing units. Give them a break, and let the market do it's thing. We're all lucky to be here and have the facility as good as it is. Are you volunteering there to try and improve service? None of us is entitled to local medical care, so I for one am thankful to have it as it is.

[Villager Dude]

Seriously ??? I'll bet you can count, on 1 hand, the number of developers that built a full service hospital in conjunction with housing units. Give them a break, and let the market do it's thing. We're all lucky to be here and have the facility as good as it is. Are you volunteering there to try and improve service? None of us is entitled to local medical care, so I for one am thankful to have it as it is.

For what it is worth..

I read last year that The Villages Hospital had the highest percentage of medicare claims in the nation.. Around 86 % .

[Russ_Boston]

Better to call EMS 911 in a case like that rather than go to a busy Emergency Room.


I was working in the ER the other day and we had 7 (yes 7) EMS teams waiting in the ER halls with their patient. The rule is that they have to remain until their patient is seen by an ER doc and assigned an ER room.

It is not a matter of under-staffing it is a case of overpopulation. Every single one of our ER rooms was full plus the 7 EMS in the hall with another 20 (?) or so in the waiting room.

We can not release a patient to an admit floor until a room becomes available. So the wait is long. I was down there to act as stop gap nurse as if the patient had been admitted 'upstairs'.

This time of year there are simply too many patients and not enough rooms. In the summer it is just the opposite. The down side of a hospital in a 50% snowbird (plus guests in the winter) community.

[Russ_Boston]

For what it is worth..

I read last year that The Villages Hospital had the highest percentage of medicare claims in the nation.. Around 86 % .

True.

[Russ_Boston]

when the doctor told him he could go home, it took the same amount of time to get him out of there.

It does not take 7-8 hours to get you out of the hospital once you are discharged. I do it every day at TVRH. Perhaps you had 'some' doctor who told you you could go home but I gurantee it was not your admitting doctor. Once the admit doctor says you can go and signs the papers I usually have you out the door in about 1.5 hours, many times less.

What quite often happens is that some consultant doctor (cardio, neuro etc.) says that you are clear to go but the attending physician of record (who sees you every day at least once) must clear you and sign the order. If a consulting doc ever tells you that you can go make sure that he/she has the authority to do so from the attending doc.

I write these things because although TVRH has some issues that need to be worked through I don't like misinformation. In fact our charge nurses are on our butt to make sure we discharge ASAP. We have to clear room for ER patients ready to come up.

[Peachie]

It does not take 7-8 hours to get you out of the hospital once you are discharged. I do it every day at TVRH. Perhaps you had 'some' doctor who told you you could go home but I gurantee it was not your admitting doctor. Once the admit doctor says you can go and signs the papers I usually have you out the door in about 1.5 hours, many times less.

What quite often happens is that some consultant doctor (cardio, neuro etc.) says that you are clear to go but the attending physician of record (who sees you every day at least once) must clear you and sign the order. If a consulting doc ever tells you that you can go make sure that he/she has the authority to do so from the attending doc.

I write these things because although TVRH has some issues that need to be worked through I don't like misinformation. In fact our charge nurses are on our butt to make sure we discharge ASAP. We have to clear room for ER
patients ready to come up.




Thanks, Russ, for all the info. It's good to receive details from the inside and not just speculation from us on the outside of the business.

[Madelaine Amee]

It does not take 7-8 hours to get you out of the hospital once you are discharged. I do it every day at TVRH. Perhaps you had 'some' doctor who told you you could go home but I gurantee it was not your admitting doctor. Once the admit doctor says you can go and signs the papers I usually have you out the door in about 1.5 hours, many times less.

What quite often happens is that some consultant doctor (cardio, neuro etc.) says that you are clear to go but the attending physician of record (who sees you every day at least once) must clear you and sign the order. If a consulting doc ever tells you that you can go make sure that he/she has the authority to do so from the attending doc.

I write these things because although TVRH has some issues that need to be worked through I don't like misinformation. In fact our charge nurses are on our butt to make sure we discharge ASAP. We have to clear room for ER patients ready to come up.

Thank you for bringing some professionalism to this thread! I am from the suburbs of Boston where I had my choice of probably five of the best hospitals in the U.S., but you could not walk into the ER and get seen immediately. I was a patient at the Boston Beth Israel and it was a "factory" compared to the treatment we have received here!

My other half was an emergency "life or death" patient at TV hospital and his treatment and care was above reproach.

[Mack184]

I was working in the ER the other day and we had 7 (yes 7) EMS teams waiting in the ER halls with their patient. The rule is that they have to remain until their patient is seen by an ER doc and assigned an ER room.

It is not a matter of under-staffing it is a case of overpopulation. Every single one of our ER rooms was full plus the 7 EMS in the hall with another 20 (?) or so in the waiting room.

We can not release a patient to an admit floor until a room becomes available. So the wait is long. I was down there to act as stop gap nurse as if the patient had been admitted 'upstairs'.

This time of year there are simply too many patients and not enough rooms. In the summer it is just the opposite. The down side of a hospital in a 50% snowbird (plus guests in the winter) community.
To add to this..People are not taken in turn when coming to an ER. Remember..it is an EMERGENCY Department. Each ER has a triage system numbered 1-5. One meaning you're actually dieing right then and there. They trump everybody and anybody coming in. Level 2 is someone who's in very serious danger..life threatening danger. An emergent stroke or MI. Your cut finger is not a 2 and in many cases not even a 3. While it's imporant to you and an emergency to you..to the hospital the Heart Attack in room-1 and the gunshot in room 3 and car accident in room 7 all take predecent. Unless you are TRULY dieing, plan on waiting. A 7 hour ER wait is unfortuantely not a very long wait. In many cases in larger cities the waits can run anywhere from 24-36 hours. Yep, that's right.

Now if you think that calling the big red bus is your ticket to a bed even faster, don't bank on it. Nothing irritates the ER staff much more than you taking the bus to the back door when you're going to be triaged as a 3 or lower. And Mr. Russ is quite correct in saying that the EMS teams have to stay with their deliveries on their gurneys until there is an acceptable bed for them to be handed off to. Of course if you have called the big red bus for a trivial matter, and you get coded somewhere between a 3 and 5, the charge nurse will very likely have you removed from your gurney, and given a seat in the waiting room, and release the EMS team.

[graciegirl]

This is the second such story I've seen just in the last few days here. I wasn't too worried until Gracie also seems to think there is a problem. Frankly as someone who has had more than their share of ER visits, it terrifies me.

Can you explain what is causing these long delays in the ER? Are they understaffed, are they just overwhelmed with too many patients coming to the ER? There must be come explanation for this. Can anyone shed some light on this cause and whether it is like this everyday, or just in some cases..

And what is the closest hospital with a well run ER?

Thanks,

Dave

Someone suggested that the flu epidemic is one of the reasons for the crowding and that seems very logical and of course so many people are here now who are NOT year 'round residents who get sick and don't know what else to do but go to the ER and I suppose a lot of people do NOT see their doctor when a problem is emerging and wait until it becomes an emergency.

It is wise to get yourself a doctor here even if you are a part time resident. I hate to point out to any of you that we are ALL a little older and have more medical problems than we used to have.

I think that finding a doctor here is very difficult because so many people judge physicians primarily on bedside manner and I don't care how curt and abrupt a doctor is, I just want him or her to be knowledgable. So someone liking a doctors personality really isn't all that helpful. AND so many of us are fairly new here ourselves and it is scary to start a new doctor patient relationship. You are placing your life in their hands.

I don't mean to be negative and yet I do sound negative. Our daughter has had some very serious and unusual health situations over time and I became so grateful for the knowledgable physicians that guided us through them and became aware of others who were born with her cardiac difficulties not faring so well in small communities across the country. We continue to go back to Cincinnati for her cardiac check ups because her plumbing is so unusual.

I guess over time I have become a doctor snob. I have not had a bad situation here with our doctor in the four years parttime and one year full time we have been here. But thank heavens we haven't really been sick either.

Dentists are a different story. There are some very unethical dentists in Florida.

[StarbuckSammy]

It is interesting that our insider Russ says that the problem with the ER is not understaffing but overpopulation. But this has been a problem for the past several years and from my perspective The Villages Hospital has not solved the problem. What in the world happens when the next 20,000 or so residents move in? This is not the developer problem..it is the hospital. I don't know about you, but the thought of more possible patients the next few years makes me worry.

[Mikeod]

It is interesting that our insider Russ says that the problem with the ER is not understaffing but overpopulation. But this has been a problem for the past several years and from my perspective The Villages Hospital has not solved the problem. What in the world happens when the next 20,000 or so residents move in? This is not the developer problem..it is the hospital. I don't know about you, but the thought of more possible patients the next few years makes me worry.
The problem may be more the limitations of the physical plant, i.e., the number of rooms, rather than staff. There are plans to expand the hospital rather than build another facility near Brownwood. In my experience, it requires less time to expand an existing facility than to build a new one as far as getting through the local permitting process and the state and federal approvals. But it still takes years to accomplish this. The hospital has been expanded once before and will expand again. Hopefully this will help the wait times in the ER. It would appear the administration is taking some steps, but one may question whether they are projecting appropriately for the increased population.

[Russ_Boston]

It is interesting that our insider Russ says that the problem with the ER is not understaffing but overpopulation. But this has been a problem for the past several years and from my perspective The Villages Hospital has not solved the problem. What in the world happens when the next 20,000 or so residents move in? This is not the developer problem..it is the hospital. I don't know about you, but the thought of more possible patients the next few years makes me worry.

I think we have a total of 24 ER rooms at this point. I know the other day each nurse had 4-5 rooms assigned. It's mostly a snowbird problem the way I see it. The population swells during the winter months and the physical plant (while due for expansion over the next two years) can not (and maybe should not?) be made with the highest number in mind. There were many times last summer when we called off nurses and other staff due to lack of patients! We are increasing the number of beds by almost 1/3 in the next two years and perhaps that will free up ER holds (holds = ER beds awaiting an admit room in another unit such as cardio, medical, surgery etc.)

[Mack184]

I think we have a total of 24 ER rooms at this point. I know the other day each nurse had 4-5 rooms assigned. It's mostly a snowbird problem the way I see it. The population swells during the winter months and the physical plant (while due for expansion over the next two years) can not (and maybe should not?) be made with the highest number in mind. There were many times last summer when we called off nurses and other staff due to lack of patients! We are increasing the number of beds by almost 1/3 in the next two years and perhaps that will free up ER holds (holds = ER beds awaiting an admit room in another unit such as cardio, medical, surgery etc.)
So what you are saying is that you need 15-20 ED beds from May-November and a minimum of 45 beds from December-April.

[sharonga]

When we first moved to the villages 8 months ag o, my daughter had an accident and needed stitches in her hand. The villages emergency room were wonderful.yes we were there a few hours but that was expected. She was seen immediately. Everyone was so wonderful. The past month my husband had to be taken to thr er twice by ambulance, again wonderful care. If anyone is very sick, call 911, they wwill send an ambulance and will take you right into the emergency room. Or go to urgent care and they will call an abulance.

[Happinow]

I, too, have been a bit worried about the possibility of getting quality emergency care. Thankfully, neither myself or my husband have needed it thus far. I have no experience with TV hospital or urgent care centers, so my thoughts and opinions are solely based on what I have read and heard. I have told my husband that if I need to be hospitalized please get me to Ocala. What I wonder is if I go to TV hospital by ambulance, and want to be transported to Ocala hospital, will an ambulance transport me if my condition warrants?? I do worry about needing immediate, quality medical care. And I had no idea the medical care was so poor before I moved here. Not something I even thought about checking out. I figured since there were 90,000+ people the medical care had to be pretty good. Apparently not.....

[Grannynance]

Happinow- I don't think they will taxi you from place. Try leesburg, but then again it is a few years older I know how you feel about older buildings

[Challenger]

In my experience ERs throughout the nation are nearly all experiencing the same kinds of pressures that we experience in TV. I served as a director of a 235 bed critical care hospital in a small town (100,000 ) in Md for 17 years. We were constantly rebuilding, renovating, expanding that operation during that entire time and still were unable to satisfy the more than 70,000 people who arrived asking for care . Even with the enormous proliferation of urgent care centers throughout the country, the pressure on ERs has continued to grow. My family has had three evperiences with the TV ER in the last two years and our care (quality and wait) was no different than we had experi ernced at Johns Hopkins Hosp in Baltimore or several other MD facilities.

[Madelaine Amee]

I, too, have been a bit worried about the possibility of getting quality emergency care. Thankfully, neither myself or my husband have needed it thus far. I have no experience with TV hospital or urgent care centers, so my thoughts and opinions are solely based on what I have read and heard. I have told my husband that if I need to be hospitalized please get me to Ocala. What I wonder is if I go to TV hospital by ambulance, and want to be transported to Ocala hospital, will an ambulance transport me if my condition warrants?? I do worry about needing immediate, quality medical care. And I had no idea the medical care was so poor before I moved here. Not something I even thought about checking out. I figured since there were 90,000+ people the medical care had to be pretty good. Apparently not.....

If you have not yet needed to avail yourself of the medical care here in TV how do you come to make the statement "I had no idea the medical was so poor before I moved here".

The medical care available to you here is good to excellent. You have a hospital right here in TV. You have a hospital in Leesburg. You have Florida Watermans. You have two hospitals in Ocala. You then move into the very high end hospitals, namely - Orlando General, Tampa General, Moffatt, Gainesville and Mayo in Jacksonville. The farthest one is a three hour ride from here and how bad is that?

This thread has vilified TV hospital, but there are hundreds of residents who have had excellent treatment from our local hospital.

[Mack184]

To clarify a point..both The Villages Hospital & Leesburg General are operated by the same company...Central Florida Health Alliance. So in essence if you like the care you get at TV you shouldn't have a problem with Leesburg, but if you don't like the care at TVH then you most likely won't like the care at Leesburg.

There also seems to be a rather big discrepancy between doctors affiliated with Munroe and those at TVH/Leesburg. If you read each hospital's website, they list the background & schooling of many of their physicians. TVH/Leesburg seems to have a rather large amount of 3rd world doctors educated at medical schools that are not well known, while the majority of doctors at Munroe Regional have been schooled at well-known American medical schools.

[Grannynance]

one trip to er at the village received good care. Two heart attacks care for in leesburg still here so that was OK. The medical care in the area is very good. As for where the drs come from Americans go overseas the people overseas come here that is the way it is.

[gomoho]

To clarify a point..both The Villages Hospital & Leesburg General are operated by the same company...Central Florida Health Alliance. So in essence if you like the care you get at TV you shouldn't have a problem with Leesburg, but if you don't like the care at TVH then you most likely won't like the care at Leesburg.

There also seems to be a rather big discrepancy between doctors affiliated with Munroe and those at TVH/Leesburg. If you read each hospital's website, they list the background & schooling of many of their physicians. TVH/Leesburg seems to have a rather large amount of 3rd world doctors educated at medical schools that are not well known, while the majority of doctors at Munroe Regional have been schooled at well-known American medical schools.

Well now that opens a whole different issue. Are the docs from those schools less than the best??? Have a son who recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina. He is 28 with life experience working in the ER of a hosptial in South Carolina and several years working experience in a psychiatric facility, EMT certified and has done Meals on Wheels for several years and actually saved someone's life 'cause he recognized one his stops was not right and the man was having heart problems. But unless he scores absolutely OUTSTANDING on the MCAT (test for admission to medical school) he won't get a spot in a US school 'cause he is a white male and their are only a few spots for those kids.

So I hear you concerns about those "other" medical schools, but not so sure if they are correct. At least the Caribbean schools require you to do your residency in Miami. May be the new "normal".

[Challenger]

There also seems to be a rather big discrepancy between doctors affiliated with Munroe and those at TVH/Leesburg. If you read each hospital's website, they list the background & schooling of many of their physicians. TVH/Leesburg seems to have a rather large amount of 3rd world doctors educated at medical schools that are not well known, while the majority of doctors at Munroe Regional have been schooled at well-known American medical schools.

Hmmmmm! what do you mean by discrepancy? Don't all Docs have to pass the same boards and licensing requirements to practice. I believe all Hospitals have credentialing requirements which undergo scrutiny be thier accredation body. Discrepancy?

[NE05091]

Not sure if this will help, but I recently had a hip replaced and went to THe Club for rehab. I couldn't get out fast enough. It was a horrible place. When I came home, I hooked up with a home health care service called "Florida Firstcare." It was wonderful. The Visiting Nurse, home health aid and Physical therapist were all amazing and caring. I highly recommend them.

[grobb]

Had similar experience. Will never go back there

[Fmdoc]

I agree that most ER's are ridiculously busy, however only about 30% of those patients seeking care are truly in need of emergent care. The other 70% do not have timely convenient access to high quality primary care providers to suit their needs.

[sharonga]

I have had 3 experiences with The Villages Emergency Room. The first time was for my daughter who cut herself with a knife. total time was 3 hours. I thought that was pretty awesome. Second and third times my husband was brought in by ambulance and the care was commendable. While I am not crazy about the family practice doctors, the urgent care doctors are wonderful. We have to keep searching until we find the doctor for us. Unfortunately they seem to come and go like the wind! Just found new gastro doctor and surgeon and they have a pretty good practice.
In NY we knew our doctors and if someone needed a recommendation we knew who to go to. Here we are all new at this.

[Mack184]

Well now that opens a whole different issue. Are the docs from those schools less than the best??? Have a son who recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina. He is 28 with life experience working in the ER of a hosptial in South Carolina and several years working experience in a psychiatric facility, EMT certified and has done Meals on Wheels for several years and actually saved someone's life 'cause he recognized one his stops was not right and the man was having heart problems. But unless he scores absolutely OUTSTANDING on the MCAT (test for admission to medical school) he won't get a spot in a US school 'cause he is a white male and their are only a few spots for those kids.

So I hear you concerns about those "other" medical schools, but not so sure if they are correct. At least the Caribbean schools require you to do your residency in Miami. May be the new "normal".
I am not the only person who has serious concerns about doctors educated in places outside of the USA, especially those educated in the 3rd world. I will admit to being a "brand snob". I like to have doctors who've graduated from Ivy League-style schools. But if there's a choice between a doctor who was born, raised and educated in the USA over someone from another country I will pick the USA educated doc every single time. USA all the way!

[gjbl8114]

As a former healthcare professional, this is sad to hear. I suspect that many don't understand the criteria for what is considered a "medical emergency." ER personnel are sufficiently trained to identify such, however, in many instances, their assessments are generally in conflict with those who are waiting to received services. You can be assured that a "true" medical emergency will be treated promptly and without delay. On the other hand, you can pretty much bet that not being treated promptly when you arrive at the ER is a clear indication that your "emergency" declaration is clearly not the case.

I would agree with Gracie Girl - perhaps you should have called 911. Just be prepared to pay the difference.... The same is true when you go to the ER. Most insurances will not pay for non-emergency situations which is determined based on the final diagnosis. You have to be willing to pick up the tab based on the final outcome.

Try to understand this. ER personnel see lots of patients who believe they have a "true" medical emergency. What may appear to be a medical emergency to a lay person could easily be considered "routine" medical care to ER personnel. My suggestion to anyone considering use of the ER instead of an Urgent Care Clinic or doctor's office visit is this. If you are required to sit in excess of an hour in an emergency room awaiting treatment, consider leaving and seeking urgent care. Chances are you're going to be stuck with an ER expense that you will regret.

[Mack184]

As a former healthcare professional, this is sad to hear. I suspect that many don't understand the criteria for what is considered a "medical emergency." ER personnel are sufficiently trained to identify such, however, in many instances, their assessments are generally in conflict with those who are waiting to received services. You can be assured that a "true" medical emergency will be treated promptly and without delay. On the other hand, you can pretty much bet that not being treated promptly when you arrive at the ER is a clear indication that your "emergency" declaration is clearly not the case.

I would agree with Gracie Girl - perhaps you should have called 911. Just be prepared to pay the difference.... The same is true when you go to the ER. Most insurances will not pay for non-emergency situations which is determined based on the final diagnosis. You have to be willing to pick up the tab based on the final outcome.

Try to understand this. ER personnel see lots of patients who believe they have a "true" medical emergency. What may appear to be a medical emergency to a lay person could easily be considered "routine" medical care to ER personnel. My suggestion to anyone considering use of the ER instead of an Urgent Care Clinic or doctor's office visit is this. If you are required to sit in excess of an hour in an emergency room awaiting treatment, consider leaving and seeking urgent care. Chances are you're going to be stuck with an ER expense that you will regret.
My wife is an ER-NP. Agree 100%!! I'd also like to add that nothing annoys the ER staff much more than somebody taking the "Big Red Bus" to the hospital in an effort to get to the front of the line when they are not experiencing a true life-threatening emergency. In many cases if you do this, besides incurring the charges mentioned above, the charge nurse will simply just triage you at the level you actually rate, and offer you a seat in the waiting room and release the ambulance crew.

[jblum315]

I think the whole point of calling 911 is that they can be there in a matter of minutes and can provide critical emergency care right there without the drive to the hospital or the wait in the ER

[Mack184]

I think the whole point of calling 911 is that they can be there in a matter of minutes and can provide critical emergency care right there without the drive to the hospital or the wait in the ER
Even if you ride to the hospital in the ambulance you will still be triaged on your arrival. If you are not either a "1" or "2" you will not get to bypass the wait in the ER. You will wait just like everybody else. All you will have done is rung up a nice big bill to pay for the ride.

[graciegirl]

Even if you ride to the hospital in the ambulance you will still be triaged on your arrival. If you are not either a "1" or "2" you will not get to bypass the wait in the ER. You will wait just like everybody else. All you will have done is rung up a nice big bill to pay for the ride.

I don't think there is a charge for EMS transportation here in TV. There was no charge for EMS transportation in West Chester, Ohio where we moved from.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

What I just learned yesterday is that the team that transports you MUST stay with you until you are released to the hands of a doctor. That is why it is important that we schedule our heart attacks and strokes for other than the months of January, February and March when people who do not have MDs here may be overusing the EMS. You may think that the EMS is at the fire station down the street but probably they are putting in "wall time" at the emergency room and can't come and transport you.

[Mack184]

I don't think there is a charge for EMS transportation here in TV. There was no charge for EMS transportation in West Chester, Ohio where we moved from.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

What I just learned yesterday is that the team that transports you MUST stay with you until you are released to the hands of a doctor. That is why it is important that we schedule our heart attacks and strokes for other than the months of January, February and March when people who do not have MDs here may be overusing the EMS. You may think that the EMS is at the fire station down the street but probably they are putting in "wall time" at the emergency room and can't come and transport you.
GG:The charge will come from your insurance company most likely NOT your local EMS. What was said earlier is that if you are transported and it is NOT found to be a true emergency in the eyes of the hospital and/or insurance company, you're going to get a bill because the insurance isn't going to cover the cost.

You are right about the EMS crews having to stay with their deliveries until they are released. But..the incoming patient will be triaged and the decision will be made as to what level they are on the triage scale. If they are a 3 or lower, it is often likely that the charge nurse will invite that person to have a seat in waiting room until they can be treated, at which time the charge nurse will release the EMS crew. If that does not happen, then the EMS must stay with their delivery until a bed can be found. Now if the incoming patient is a "1" or "2" which indicates a TRUE emergent condition..MI,or stroke in progress, gun shot, serious accident and so on, EMS must stay with their delivery until there is a bed for them, which will be quick.

Many small rural fire companies who have ambulance services often run annual "subscription drives" where you get the opportunity to donate to the fire company. If you should pass on that opportunity and need the ambulance you will get an extra bill because you are not a member.

[memason]

I don't think there is a charge for EMS transportation here in TV. There was no charge for EMS transportation in West Chester, Ohio where we moved from.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

What I just learned yesterday is that the team that transports you MUST stay with you until you are released to the hands of a doctor. That is why it is important that we schedule our heart attacks and strokes for other than the months of January, February and March when people who do not have MDs here may be overusing the EMS. You may think that the EMS is at the fire station down the street but probably they are putting in "wall time" at the emergency room and can't come and transport you.

I'm pretty sure there's an astronomical charge for EMS in the Villages. I had a friend that took EMS a few weeks ago and the charge was out of this world... It was a true emergency too.

[graciegirl]

I'm pretty sure there's an astronomical charge for EMS in the Villages. I had a friend that took EMS a few weeks ago and the charge was out of this world... It was a true emergency too.

It is not part of the services our taxes pay for?

If you need the fire department to put out a fire, is there a charge for that?

It wasn't where we came from.

[meboyle]

Last week we moved into our new home in The Villages and we are very excited to finally be here. My 90 year old mother-in-law lives with us and had a significant health problem. We took her to The Villages Regional Hospital emergency room and had to wait 7 hours before a doctor could see her. In the meantime her breathing became more labored and exhaustion set in. This did not motivate the ER staff to help. Finally, she was admitted at 2:00 AM. The next evening the staff forgot to provide her dinner. Two hours late they did provide her a sandwich.

Our experience may have been an anomaly but it does raise the concern of healthcare in general in The Villages. I hope we did not make a mistake in moving here.

May I suggest you call 911 any time your Mom needs help. I did what you did with my Mom, and we experienced the same wait. Awful. The nurse said call 911, and they will take her right it. As for the staff, they were wonderful to her once we got in.
Good luck, M. Boyle

[Mack184]

I don't think there is a charge for EMS transportation here in TV. There was no charge for EMS transportation in West Chester, Ohio where we moved from.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

What I just learned yesterday is that the team that transports you MUST stay with you until you are released to the hands of a doctor. That is why it is important that we schedule our heart attacks and strokes for other than the months of January, February and March when people who do not have MDs here may be overusing the EMS. You may think that the EMS is at the fire station down the street but probably they are putting in "wall time" at the emergency room and can't come and transport you.
GG Person: I have just sent you a long & boring PM about this.
Enjoy. Or Not.

[Cateca]

It is a fact that, compared to other hospitals in the same category, the emergency room services at The Villages Hospital are dismal. It is understaffed and disorganized. Some say it is uncaring too. Tales about patients in real distress having to wait to be seen some six or seven hours abound. So do sad tales of patients already in the emergency wards being asked the same lengthy key information by three different staff members; not just name and update since first interviewed.. In fact, when we moved here three years ago, we were told to never go directly to the TVs emergency room, but to call an ambulance instead for transportation to those facilities. Then, the chances of being seen faster are higher.

That said, one would think that the developer, Mr. Morse, would take an active role in improving the situation. After all, health care facilities are selling points in attracting home buyers.

More surprising is that the Daily Sun has not investigated this very legitimate story. I know that negative reporting about TVs is taboo. But whatever happened to journalistic proactivity, to even improving coverage in order to sell more papers?

The situation at the Vs Hospital emergency room merits analysis.

I for one, rather go to Ocala, as the Leesburg hospital has the same corporate parent as TVs facility. Penny pinching?

[skip0358]

The Ambulance service is contracted by Sumter County so you will get a bill when you call. it goes to your insurance company which in most cases pay a $100 to $150 fee for this service. The Volunteer Fire Dept. and Ambulance Company's from up north collected tax dollars from your yearly taxes to finance both Fire & EMS services. IN TV the FD is paid thru taxes but the Ambulance is a private run outfit contracted by the county so they can bill you. Asfor the ER if your not critical you will wait. That's why they have a Triage Nurse to access your needs.

[Mack184]

It is a fact that, compared to other hospitals in the same category, the emergency room services at The Villages Hospital are dismal. It is understaffed and disorganized. Some say it is uncaring too. Tales about patients in real distress having to wait to be seen some six or seven hours abound. So do sad tales of patients already in the emergency wards being asked the same lengthy key information by three different staff members; not just name and update since first interviewed.. In fact, when we moved here three years ago, we were told to never go directly to the TVs emergency room, but to call an ambulance instead for transportation to those facilities. Then, the chances of being seen faster are higher.

That said, one would think that the developer, Mr. Morse, would take an active role in improving the situation. After all, health care facilities are selling points in attracting home buyers.

More surprising is that the Daily Sun has not investigated this very legitimate story. I know that negative reporting about TVs is taboo. But whatever happened to journalistic proactivity, to even improving coverage in order to sell more papers?

The situation at the Vs Hospital emergency room merits analysis.

I for one, rather go to Ocala, as the Leesburg hospital has the same corporate parent as TVs facility. Penny pinching?
I had written a long PM to Gracie about this, but I will mention a couple of points that I had written to her. One of the REAL problems that cause long waits in virtually all ERs is the lack of available beds in OTHER areas of the hospital. When someone goes into the ER and the person is admitted they will be moved from the ER onto a medical floor. HOWEVER..IF there are no beds currently available on the appropriate medical floor, that patient MUST stay in the ER until a bed is available for them. When a patient is being "HELD" in an ER bed, that means that the ER has one less bed to be able to accept another patient.

Some larger hospitals have units that are designed to be an ER-Hold section where patients are sent and cared for until a bed on the proper floor is becomes available, thus relieveing pressure on the ER. TVRH is a relatively small ER and once they begin to hold patients, the entire process slows down. I have been told that the bed shortage on the medical floors at TVRH is chronic.

As far as people being in REAL distress, the Triage Nurse will assign a number from 1-5 on the condition of the patient. (1 most important-they're dieing and 5 is a hangnail) A kidney stone for example is NOT a major emergency. (Usually a 3) You might hurt like hell but you're not dieing. You may feel like it, but you're not going to die. Emergent MIs, strokes, gun shots, serious accidents and the like trump everything else. ABC is what matters most...
A=Airway
B=Breathing
C=Circulation
Any of those conditions come FIRST. And..YOU have no idea what's developing behind the doors. YOU do not know how many serious patients they are tending to before you. If you are truly dieing..you will get back there fast. In an old episode of MASH a shocked visitor asks.."How loud do they have to scream before they get taken?" Col. Potter answers.."It's the ones who CAN'T scream who get to go first.

As far as you being asked your name, rank & serial number over & over & over again..that my friend is a FEDERAL regulation. It is designed so that nurses & doctors do not accidently give you the wrong treatment or blood or medicine. And..in virtually ALL hospitals..failure to ask those questions is a "Zero Tolerance" rule. They are not being incompetent or nosey..If they fail to do that, they can be fired on the spot. I hate being asked the same questions over and over..but your doctor or nurse MUST do that and you will make their job MUCH easier to do if you don't gripe to them about it. They don't have any choice in the matter. So please be kind to your care giver and play along.

[Russ_Boston]

That said, one would think that the developer, Mr. Morse, would take an active role in improving the situation. After all, health care facilities are selling points in attracting home buyers.



Mr. Morse has nothing to do with it but...

The hospital is expanding by about 1/3 in the near future. The number of ER 'beds' are going up by almost double. This should help the situation. But again the real situation is all about numbers. The number of people in TV at this time of year.

I think that every day I work (and have 6 patients on 2nd floor medical) I would guess that 1/2 of them shouldn't have gone to the hospital in the first place. But many of these patients think that they are sicker than they are and insist on being admitted to the floor from ER. I think some of it is traced to doctors who, due mostly to the legal system, would rather just admit the patient and have it be nothing than to not admit and have it be really something (i.e. risk a law suit).

Let's not forget that we have almost 100K people in TV plus another X in outside TV locals + X number of guests from up north. And the vast majority are elderly. If you compare this to your 'hometown' you'll understand why we have so many patients who need our help. If you lived in a town of 100k back north you were probably served by multiple hospitals and at least half of the population was under 30 years old (typical demographics). But down here I would bet 90% are 60 or older. It is simply a numbers game.

And thanks to Mack for understanding and explaining the reason why we ask for info. Sometimes we even do it to make sure that they are 'alert'. I'll often chat to my patients, knowing the info already, but ask them things like "tell me what your medical history is" - or "what Village do you live in" just to judge their cognition level. I don't really need to know, I already have that on file.

[bargee]

I have read many negitive comments about TVRH in this post.Recently the Hospital Auxiliary conducted a job fair to sign up volunteers,how many of you signed up to help out? To answer the question before its asked,I have volunteered at TVRH in the ER for over 10 years.

[Mack184]

I have read many negitive comments about TVRH in this post.Recently the Hospital Auxiliary conducted a job fair to sign up volunteers,how many of you signed up to help out? To answer the question before its asked,I have volunteered at TVRH in the ER for over 10 years.
That's nice that you volunteer, but volunteers are NOT licensed and/or degreed medical professionals who are the ONLY people who can provide actual medical care. Additional volunteers can do many things but they cannot aleviate slow wait times in the ER due to lack of needed beds, nor can they step in and do nursing or practice medicine. The problem with TVRH is a lack of available beds and necessary professional staff.

Under the mandates of the new Affordable Care Act virtually all hospitals that accept Medicare are going to be squeezed tighter and tighter on their budget lines due to DECREASED reimbursements from the Feds. And since TVRH receives more Medicare dollars per capita than ANY other US hospital they will be squeezed even tighter. Which means the hospital will have to get by with even less PROFESSIONAL staff which will make ER waits and waits for beds even longer.

Volunteers, no matter how many, cannot fix that problem. This is not meant to bad mouth volunteerism, but there are many, many things that they simply cannot do, and what they cannot legally do is where the problem lies.

[Houndhouse]

I took my husband to The Villages Regional Hospital when he said to me "I cannot move and I am in a lot of pain." They reacted quickly, professionally and with great compassion. We were referred to a specialist within the hospital that same day and a priliminary diagnosis was given that proved to be correct after tests results were returned. He was admitted and did receive good care. This was my experience only but it was good. I agree, that EMS should be called first, even though that was not what I did.