[mrfixit]

.....Thank You Stacy. I appreciate your concise, straightforward approach.

You have cleared up a LOT of mis-understanding on the use of clot-busters
and wait times at the ER.

The Villages Hospital is fortunate that you have chosen their facility
to share your talents.

Please...Please... KEEP POSTING.....

.....you are a breath of "fresh-air"..........................................
.....You do not tell others they are wrong....or become defensive.
.....I LIKE your style.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Thank you Stacy for that sincere and concise post. I experienced a very long wait in ER, waiting for a bed to be admited....while in ER my care was excellent, it's when I got to my room that things started to deteriorate for most of the 8 days I was there. But I am hopeful that the hospital is constantly working to improve in all areas.

Did you mean the care you received went downhill or your condition? 8 days is a long time in the hospital so I'm sure your condition was serious.

[ssmith]

so glad you cleared that up about the waits etc.

[PennBF]

A few years ago (5 or 6) my sister in law was on vacation in Ft.Lauderdale.
She woke up in the middle of the night with terrific pains. Her family with her
took her to the Ft Lauderdale Hospital which is very large. They put her in a bed in the ER and then she was placed in a hall. After about 4-5 hours of pain waiting for a room I stepped outside the ER, saw an Ambulance, wrote down it's phone number and called them to come for her. She signed herself
out and they transported her to Stuart Fl. Hospital which has a great reputation. A surgeon saw her immedicatley, took exrays and immediately took her to surgery. She had a major blockage scar tissue from a previous surgery when she was young and as the Dr. said she had about 24 hours left before she would have so much infection nothing could have been done.
The moral of the story is that your health is in your hands..Don't let any
medical Dr. or facility take over your health. Demand action and if they are not responding go somewhere else one way or another. Not allowing the Ft Lauderdale Hospital abuse her and instead taking action in the end saved her life. Be sure to have an alternative plan if you are not being treated properly and excerise your rights..

[Happinow]

Healthcare is soooo scary these days! I do fear not getting good health care in TV. I hope, if I should need emergency medical care, that I need it in the summer when all of the snowbirds are gone. Nothing against snowbirds, but the facility may be less crowded and therefore treatment faster. You must have an advocate with you who can watch out for you while you are ill. Make sure the docs and nurses do their job in a timely manner.

[Mudder]

Russ, I meant that both my condition and the care I received went downhill after I got to my room. Now, that I've had time to reflect on it....I still feel very strongly that I should have had better care from some of the personel during my stay, but also my underlying two conditions took awhile to really manifest themselves. I know 8 days is almost unheard these days to be in hospital, but I did need to be there that long and actually required a return to Urgent Care three days after release. I'm still in recovery mode. I'm not as angry at the hospital as I was, I know my situation was just a minor snipet in the workings of a hospital and I am hopeful that the powers that be do listen to ex patients and try to effect changes where they need to be made or improved upon.
Thanks to you and Stacy for some good explainations.

[Mikitv]

I checked with one of the Ambulance units when we were at a seminar and asked if it was possilbe to have husband taken to Monore Hospital if he had problems again. She said yes and insist upon it. They will be in constant contact with hospital during transportation and if it is heart issue again will take him right to their cath lab and not emergency. Luckily we haven't a need. I have Monroe listed on all my emergency information too.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Russ, I meant that both my condition and the care I received went downhill after I got to my room. Now, that I've had time to reflect on it....I still feel very strongly that I should have had better care from some of the personel during my stay, but also my underlying two conditions took awhile to really manifest themselves. I know 8 days is almost unheard these days to be in hospital, but I did need to be there that long and actually required a return to Urgent Care three days after release. I'm still in recovery mode. I'm not as angry at the hospital as I was, I know my situation was just a minor snipet in the workings of a hospital and I am hopeful that the powers that be do listen to ex patients and try to effect changes where they need to be made or improved upon.
Thanks to you and Stacy for some good explainations.

Just glad you're felling better. We do try to get people out of the hospital ASAP! It's better for everyone.

[Villages PL]

Sorry about your unfortunate experience. However, this is not as rare as many people might think and NO hospital is immune to mistakes. I am about half way through reading a book that tells all about this. The title is: "Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them" by Joe Graedon M.S. and Teresa Graedon Ph.D. They are well respected medical writers who have written several books and appeared on many television shows.

Anyone who has serious health problems should read this book. Or, even if you don't, read it and be prepared in case you do eventually have health issues or you become a "caregiver" for someone.

[PR1234]

I went to TV Hospital ER at 9:30PM doubled over in pain. Finally at 5AM I was diagnosed with appendicitis and was not admitted into the hospital until after 6AM.

I was told by the ER Dr. what a good thing it was that I got into the hospital as a rupture could have been very serious.....however, they never operated on me until 4PM the next day!!!

Ended up staying 3 days because of an infection....what a nightmare, I still don't have the energy to even explain it all.

We live in TV 6mos and MI 6mos. One bit of advise I would give snowbirds is definitely get yourself a primary care physician before anything happens.

Bottom line......9hrs is CRUEL to be left in the waiting room!!

P.S. Russ Boston.....I was hoping I would see you but didn't

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by PR1234

P.S. Russ Boston.....I was hoping I would see you but didn't

I work on 2nd floor. Worked Sun-Tues this week. Off for 7 until next Wed!!!

Stories like this show why we need the new urgent care facility (or mini hospital) near Brownwood to open ASAP. It will allow true emergencies to be handled quicker.

[mulligan]

And the shorter commute will be handy!!