[fredthefisherman]

Florida Hospital. You can't go wrong.

[don leitstein]

I recently had cardiac procedures done at village hosp.great service and support from drs. nurses ,and anyone who works there.nothing but a good experience while I was there..thanks to all who were on my team...

[PennBF]

It is unbelievable the Hospital would not give immediate pain killer for the Kidney Stones. I had them a few years ago and the pain we terrible. Fortunately it was a ways south of The Villages and the hospital was quick and great.
I have heard from 3 people who said they could not get into Mayo in Jacksonville as their patient load is full and it may be 3 months before they accept new patients?
My only experience with the Villages hospital was a few years ago I had a medical problem and went to the ER. It was terrible. I waited for a couple of hours and finally when I was admitted I waited for a few hours for a Doctor.
This led us to go to Mayo, we were lucky enough to get in and have been happy with it ever since. It is almost 3 hours from The Villages and it is the best 3 hour drives we have made.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by fredthefisherman

Florida Hospital. You can't go wrong.

Amazing facilities and service. One of the very best hospitals anywhere IMHO

[Butterfly201]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Challenger - well said. I spent 40+ years running hospitals - from community hospitals to major teaching hospitals. It is extremely difficult to please people who are sick, worried, and pretty much just thinking about themselves during an episode of illness. The confused frail elderly are an especially challenging group.

However if you have ever been to Las Vegas you understand the extreme level to which customer service is taken. The citizens of LV are absolutely the most difficult patients on earth because of their knowledge and expectations regarding customer service.

I can be as critical about health care as the next person, and then some. However, some of those who complain about TVRH here really don't know what they are talking about. My concern is that they may influence others to go elsewhere when they may be dealing with a true emergency. If someone really wants to go elsewhere they can be transferred after stabilization. On the other hand if you insist on going elsewhere to start with, you might just not arrive there alive.

I know enough about TVRH and Leesburg to believe they can easily take care of the basics, and likely get me through a crisis. While it would be nice to have Mass General around the corner that won't happen. My wife trained at Mass General. Her opinion is the same as mine - and she has not been completely pleased with her 2 visits to the TVRH ER.

Crying wolf? I doubt anyone in an emergency room is there without a good reason. And when you get older your medical problems become more serious...contrary to the insurance opinion that you will stay well -- and why some insurance companies don't pay your bills,,,surprise! And when you are that ill elderly or not-- you want at least competent care to make you better - not to be thought of as the group that are "especially challenging" So, the majority I read here spend hours waiting to get into a room. That is a fact. At least I do read that the nurses are kind to them. My takeaway from your comment is STAY YOUNG-- don't get sick--or minor illness only- Do NoT get old as then you are a major problem for the hospitals, the staff, and I'm sure the bean counters there.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Butterfly201

Crying wolf? I doubt anyone in an emergency room is there without a good reason. And when you get older your medical problems become more serious...contrary to the insurance opinion that you will stay well -- and why some insurance companies don't pay your bills,,,surprise! And when you are that ill elderly or not-- you want at least competent care to make you better - not to be thought of as the group that are "especially challenging" So, the majority I read here spend hours waiting to get into a room. That is a fact. At least I do read that the nurses are kind to them. My takeaway from your comment is STAY YOUNG-- don't get sick--or minor illness only- Do NoT get old as then you are a major problem for the hospitals, the staff, and I'm sure the bean counters there.

Wow. Please re-read it. Patients/people are the reason hospitals exist.

And yes, there are some people in the ER who don't need to be there. The ER is not a substitute for a primary care physician. Nor is it a place to try and get drugs if you're an addict. People abuse ERs all over the country- and some people suffer needlessly because space is taken by those who don't need to be there. If you think otherwise I'd encourage you to seek out a nurse or physician who works or worked in one.

Just like ambulances are not taxis. But there are people who abuse them as well. Next time you see a first responder just ask them.

[SoccerCoach]

January 18, 2016 I entered TVRH at 9:00am. I was scheduled for the CATH LAB at 10:00am. By 10:35am with stent in place I was back in the staging area waiting for a room. Absolutely cared for by some of the BEST professionals in health care. I walked out Tuesday at 1:00pm. EXCELLENT FACILITY!

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Wow. Please re-read it. Patients/people are the reason hospitals exist.

And yes, there are some people in the ER who don't need to be there. The ER is not a substitute for a primary care physician. Nor is it a place to try and get drugs if you're an addict. People abuse ERs all over the country- and some people suffer needlessly because space is taken by those who don't need to be there. If you think otherwise I'd encourage you to seek out a nurse or physician who works or worked in one.

Just like ambulances are not taxis. But there are people who abuse them as well. Next time you see a first responder just ask them.

Well said! I can very well add to that. Once, when my husband was in CCU, his daughter and I were about to go into the hospital to see him. We encountered a young couple who asked us if we had a light. I told them that we didn't and that they could not smoke on the premises, anyway. The girl then said that she knew that, but they would go across the street. She then said, "I have to go to the emergency room and I know it will be a long wait, so we wanted to have a cigarette first." That, is NOT an emergency as I define emergency.

As for a long wait for a room, what do they expect....the hospital to throw someone out just so they can have their bed? That's not how it works, either. And, as far as beds go, the hospital is not co-ed. That means that even if there is one, it has to go to the correct gender.

Hospitals are not 5-star hotels, but that is the service that some think they should receive. Medicine is not fast-food, either. Some expect that also, especially at doctors offices and dismissal from the hospital. I got rid of one doctor that told me he didn't have time for me to ask another question. Everyone wants the best doctors, but are not willing to wait their turn and constantly accuse them of poor management or overbooking. Hospital dismissal is a process: Just because Doctor A says you can go home today doesn't mean that the other doctors are on board with that nor are they going to drop everything just to accommodate you. Then there's paperwork to be done, IV's to remove, and the list goes on. Meanwhile, other patients' needs have to be met...they are staying. I have finally convinced some of the doctors to tell their patients that they can go home today, not immediately, but sometime today.

[PennBF]

How many have you heard that "I have the best Doctor" or "My Hospital is the very best", etc. It is usually because of a limited experience with other Dr's or Hospitals. As an example if you have a serious heart problem Cleveland Clinic is rated very high in the US along with the Albany Medical Center. If you have a worry about cancer the MD Anderson is just a short flight away and the best in the US for Cancer. How about a general physical because of a general concern then Lahey Clinic in Arlington, Mass or Mayo in Jacksonville are good places to go. Need a real good surgeon..There are many at these facilities in addition to the Westchester Medical Center in New York. Of course there are many great hospitals in NY City for Cancer, (Sloan Kettering,etc etc.) Back to "How Many". How many cut cost when it comes to health but go for the extra on the car or granite counter tops, many etcs. An important need is for the Hospital/Clinic be a teaching hospital and their practices, (e.g. Dept. of review of case by Physician's in the Department including diagnosis and treatments, etc.). Just some thoughts on the subject.

[Bay Kid]

Once you are in the care was top notch. I am very grateful they are so close.

[Pibb26]

My experience with TVRH is that once you get out of the ER and into the hospital it is a completely different world. Excellent care and nurses! (the majority I should say)

And by the way...if one is having a true emergent event...does not matter what your "plan" is...you go to the hospital that is closest to you for immediate care. IMHO

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Pibb26

My experience with TVRH is that once you get out of the ER and into the hospital it is a completely different world. Excellent care and nurses! (the majority I should say)



And by the way...if one is having a true emergent event...does not matter what your "plan" is...you go to the hospital that is closest to you for immediate care. IMHO

And please call an ambulance. Don't try driving yourself.

[Trish Crocker]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Two points, one from each story:

1) Atrial fibrillation with chest pain is unstable by definition. If the facts are as presented, and the patient suitable, it sounds like a CCU admission with urgent treatment at the very least, and possible transfer for cardiac catheterization depending on response. Hard to believe it was 22 hours to just get MSO4. Experience tells me there is more to the story.

2) Why would they do an MRI for a kidney stone? The test of choice would be a spiral CT with "stone protocol", assuming there was nothing diagnostic on a plain film. It is an easy diagnosis on clinical grounds in most cases---flank pain, CVA tenderness, hematuria and possible radiation to the groin---about the level of a third year med student. I can't understand withholding analgesics for an imaging procedure. Again, I suspect more to the story.

We just took my 98 year old mother in law there. Her doctor called ahead so they would be ready for us. She was having shortness of breath and pain in her arm. We got there at 3, got an xray at 4 (NO EKG or exam of any kind) at 5 they drew blood...all of this time she was sitting in the waiting room. At 8 they finally took her into an exam room and at 10 she was admitted. When I asked why they were letting a possible heart attack patient wait they said 'we're busy ma'am'. The next afternoon she was examined by a cardiologist who determined that a cath was necessary and ended up putting in a stent (she desperately needs two but because of the condition of her arteries only one could safely be placed, actually when they started the procedure she coded but they were able to bring her back. She is still in the ICU, hopefully they will be putting her into a regular room soon. By the way, the entire time she was there from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning they wouldn't even allow her to have ice chips. My husband had to insist that she at least be allowed to have a couple and the nurse said "You can give them to her, I won't". The nursing staff I have met through this experience and my time volunteering on one of the floors is the most unfriendly, miserable nurses I have ever met. This hospital has me seriously thinking of moving back to Michigan.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

We just took my 98 year old mother in law there. Her doctor called ahead so they would be ready for us. She was having shortness of breath and pain in her arm. We got there at 3, got an xray at 4 (NO EKG or exam of any kind) at 5 they drew blood...all of this time she was sitting in the waiting room. At 8 they finally took her into an exam room and at 10 she was admitted. When I asked why they were letting a possible heart attack patient wait they said 'we're busy ma'am'. The next afternoon she was examined by a cardiologist who determined that a cath was necessary and ended up putting in a stent (she desperately needs two but because of the condition of her arteries only one could safely be placed, actually when they started the procedure she coded but they were able to bring her back. She is still in the ICU, hopefully they will be putting her into a regular room soon. By the way, the entire time she was there from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning they wouldn't even allow her to have ice chips. My husband had to insist that she at least be allowed to have a couple and the nurse said "You can give them to her, I won't". The nursing staff I have met through this experience and my time volunteering on one of the floors is the most unfriendly, miserable nurses I have ever met. This hospital has me seriously thinking of moving back to Michigan.

Please, please, please tell me they at least did a chest X-ray looking for congestive heart failure and NOT an X-ray of her arm because it hurt. Because that would be the icing on the cake. ERs are ALWAYS busy, it is no excuse for the scenario you described----it's called TRIAGE, and from your description of your mother-in-law's condition, she should have had an EKG, CXR, routine lab and cardiac enzymes all done within 20 minutes of arrival. At her age she really isn't a candidate for thrombolytic therapy, but they need to know what they are dealing with. Obviously she was in good enough baseline condition for a cath and stent.
But before you pack your bags, there are other hospitals and other nurses, but only one TV.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

We just took my 98 year old mother in law there. Her doctor called ahead so they would be ready for us. She was having shortness of breath and pain in her arm. We got there at 3, got an xray at 4 (NO EKG or exam of any kind) at 5 they drew blood...all of this time she was sitting in the waiting room. At 8 they finally took her into an exam room and at 10 she was admitted. When I asked why they were letting a possible heart attack patient wait they said 'we're busy ma'am'. The next afternoon she was examined by a cardiologist who determined that a cath was necessary and ended up putting in a stent (she desperately needs two but because of the condition of her arteries only one could safely be placed, actually when they started the procedure she coded but they were able to bring her back. She is still in the ICU, hopefully they will be putting her into a regular room soon. By the way, the entire time she was there from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning they wouldn't even allow her to have ice chips. My husband had to insist that she at least be allowed to have a couple and the nurse said "You can give them to her, I won't". The nursing staff I have met through this experience and my time volunteering on one of the floors is the most unfriendly, miserable nurses I have ever met. This hospital has me seriously thinking of moving back to Michigan.

You would move back to The Villages because you don't like this hospital ? I remember when we didn't even have a hospital here. Had to go to Ocala or Leesburg.
I used to work at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. I can tell you plenty of horror stories from there. Every hospital has stories.