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

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

UF Health ER's and Hospital's
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Food was surprisingly good.

I beg to differ
 

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

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

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

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

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

Bingo. It worked for us.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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