[Floridagal]

Took my husband to the primary doctor as he was having severe pain in his stomach. After examining him she told us to go right over to the ER as he had a larger hernia and the surgeon would see him immediately. When we arrived his was taken to a room in the ER and the doctor came about 2 hours later. My husband was operated that night at 6:00. He had to stay in the hospital five days and I can not say enough about the great care he got. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I was in The Villages hospital quite a a few times over the years and I can say I had excellent service all around.

From reading everything on here, I guess we were one of the lucky ones.

[jojo]

Having followed TVRH posts for several years on TOTV, it appears that most of the negative experiences at TVRH are in the Emergency Room. Do others who have followed long term discussions have the same perception? It's my understanding that they have just expanded the ER physically. The question is whether adequate staffing will follow.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by jojo

Having followed TVRH posts for several years on TOTV, it appears that most of the negative experiences at TVRH are in the Emergency Room. Do others who have followed long term discussions have the same perception? It's my understanding that they have just expanded the ER physically. The question is whether adequate staffing will follow.

I would say you have identified the key issue. Increasing the size of the ER without adding staff and improving processes will only make things worse.

My wife has had two ER visits and neither was acceptable. However her associated hospital stays were fine.

My personal (and professional) opinion is that the root problem in the ER is with the ER staff physicians. I don't know if they are understaffed, have an improper doc to PA ratio, or what the problem is. But they are the care bottleneck until something else surfaces. After one visit an orthopedic surgeon told us he complained to administration about the (lack of) care my wife received by the ER doc.

[Bonny]

I had 3 different trips to emergency. One was a rather long wait, however it was crowded and there were some worse than I.
Last year alone I was admitted 3 times. 3 or 4 nights in April, 5 nights in May & 9 in August. The August visit I was flown in by air ambulance jet from St. Maarten after being in their hospital for 3 days.
I have to say, I had wonderful care in The Villages and truly thank everyone I came in contact with. I also had great care in St. Maarten.
I have also been admitted here a couple of other times previously.
I used to work at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan in the 70's. Its one of the better hospitals. There were horror stories back then also. Not much different than I hear now.

[salpal]

A couple of years ago, my 90 year old Mother was taken to the hospital because she had a fall. I stayed with her, but was informed they were probably going to keep her overnight, so I went home. An hour later, I received a call saying she was being discharged and I could pick her up. When I drove up to the pick up area, she was standing outside, all alone. My Mom has severe dementia and could have easily wondered off. I wrote the hospital about the incident and got the usual " sorry about that" response.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Boston - my doctors were at Beth Israel in Boston. I had surgery there, more years ago than I care to remember, and one of the nurses told me she was making $38 per hour! That is why you have good support staff in the big cities - decent pay! Our pay scale in this area is disgraceful for anyone trying to make a career, but if you are a retired nurse from one of the major hospitals who just wants to do a few hours to keep busy, the local pay scale is acceptable. I've had two major surgical procedures here in our local hospital and both times the nurses supporting my surgeon were retirees from Chicago General, a Boston hospital and the Mayo Clinic. All worked only with this surgeon.

Like I said in my post, most of the nurses that I've run into have been excellent. It's the rest of the office staff that seems to be clueless. when I call my doctor's office now, I ask to speak to one of his nurses because no one else seems to have any idea what I'm talking about.

What do nurses make around here. I know when I had my first back surgery at Mass General back in 1990, my nurses were making $42.00 per hour. But they were orthopedic specialists. I don't know that general nurses were making that kind of money.

[Xcuse]

My wife and I have both recently had out-patient surgery at the Villages hospital and found it to be very professional and well organized. It was scheduled and not through the ER but we are very satisfied with the experience. They did require a copay upfront and we are still dealing with the insurance over the bill.

[2BNTV]

I agree that some doctors have problems with their support staff. Some of their offices are run poorly.

I remember when some people of their support staff left their practice and chaos seem to be the norm. IMHO

Most doctors take this issue seriously and some are unaware, unless a patient complains. Some doctors will take steps to rectify the situation and some will back their staff.

My hope is that will TVRH expanding. these issue will start to be a function of the bad, being replaced with the good. Only time will tell.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Boston - my doctors were at Beth Israel in Boston. I had surgery there, more years ago than I care to remember, and one of the nurses told me she was making $38 per hour! That is why you have good support staff in the big cities - decent pay! Our pay scale in this area is disgraceful for anyone trying to make a career, but if you are a retired nurse from one of the major hospitals who just wants to do a few hours to keep busy, the local pay scale is acceptable. I've had two major surgical procedures here in our local hospital and both times the nurses supporting my surgeon were retirees from Chicago General, a Boston hospital and the Mayo Clinic. All worked only with this surgeon.

And the cost of living in Boston is??????
You're comparing apples and oranges
BTW, my son had hip surgery after a MVA at Beth Israel, generally considered one of the best hospitals in the world, and the nursing care was atrocious. You cannot buy dedication.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Floridagal

Took my husband to the primary doctor as he was having severe pain in his stomach. After examining him she told us to go right over to the ER as he had a larger hernia and the surgeon would see him immediately. When we arrived his was taken to a room in the ER and the doctor came about 2 hours later. My husband was operated that night at 6:00. He had to stay in the hospital five days and I can not say enough about the great care he got. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I was in The Villages hospital quite a a few times over the years and I can say I had excellent service all around.

From reading everything on here, I guess we were one of the lucky ones.

Perhaps, but a forum such as this one tends to give readers a skewed perception. Anyone with an "average, met expectations" to a very good experience are unlikely to post it. The people with a truly excellent experience may post that. BUT...those with a truly negative experience or those that THINK they had a negative experience post, and post, and post.....

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

And the cost of living in Boston is??????
You're comparing apples and oranges
BTW, my son had hip surgery after a MVA at Beth Israel, generally considered one of the best hospitals in the world, and the nursing care was atrocious. You cannot buy dedication.

True enough! My wife trained at Mass General. Nursing has changed dramatically since she graduated - and not always for the better. Beth Israel, as you noted, is a great example. When Mitch Rabkin was CEO the nursing care was also world class. Personally, I don't believe unions have elevated either the profession or skills of RNs.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Perhaps, but a forum such as this one tends to give readers a skewed perception. Anyone with an "average, met expectations" to a very good experience are unlikely to post it. The people with a truly excellent experience may post that. BUT...those with a truly negative experience or those that THINK they had a negative experience post, and post, and post.....

Think of Las Vegas, for a minute. Now think of the extreme level of customer service promoted by the City and the vast majority of its businesses. The patients in Las Vegas hospitals, by absorption, have that same level of expectation for superior customer service. If Las Vegas hospitals can do it, all hospitals can do it....including hospitals in this area. Unfortunately they don't seem to make it a priority.

[hulahips]

My girlfriend had her husband admitted by ambulance last week. He sat in waiting room 8 hrs before anyone looked at him. She was furious but said waiting room was standing room only. We had bday cake for her that might but needless to say they never made it

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by dbussone

I would say you have identified the key issue. Increasing the size of the ER without adding staff and improving processes will only make things worse.

My wife has had two ER visits and neither was acceptable. However her associated hospital stays were fine.

My personal (and professional) opinion is that the root problem in the ER is with the ER staff physicians. I don't know if they are understaffed, have an improper doc to PA ratio, or what the problem is. But they are the care bottleneck until something else surfaces. After one visit an orthopedic surgeon told us he complained to administration about the (lack of) care my wife received by the ER doc.

When my husband was there a couple of weeks ago, I learned that many of their doctors have left to go with the Villages Health Care System that has been set up in several locations in The Villages. They are trying to get more in but are stretched pretty thin in the meantime.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by hulahips

My girlfriend had her husband admitted by ambulance last week. He sat in waiting room 8 hrs before anyone looked at him. She was furious but said waiting room was standing room only. We had bday cake for her that might but needless to say they never made it

He would have been evaluated initially by the first responders which is relayed to the ER personnel. If he was not in imminent danger, then he would have to wait his turn. Going by ambulance does not equal faster service at the hospital if not medically warranted.

Unfortunately, too many are using the ER doctors as their primary because they cannot be turned away. Urgent Care does not have to follow the same rules and can turn people away.