Why Leesburg or Ocala ??
 

Recently I have had three neighbors who experienced serious health problems. All three were taken to the Villages Hospital and later two were transferred to Leesburg Hospital and one to a Ocala hospital. I thought the Villages had all the latest equipment and technology to do most procedures.

Perhaps their primary care physicians did not have admitting privileges at The Villages Hospital?

The Villages does not do open heart surgery. The Villages hospital is a feel good hospital-pleasant surroundings . For major trauma --the helicopters go elsewhere--for tuneups--go to the villages

absolutely, in part because a case might be 'too complex' and they'd prefer, for your sake, to be in the hands of doctors with greater expertise, and for their part they don't have the liability...:shocked:

Leesburg Regional is excellent for cardiac. The Leesburg Heart Institute is very well respected throughout the state. My husband was taken there by EMS and at first I had my misgivings but quickly realized that was the right place to be. Cath Lab surgeon, cardiac surgeons were incredible.

And people are sent to Leesburg because it is part of the same system as TVRH. It does not make sense for 2 hospitals that are relatively close together, and under common ownership/management, to duplicate very costly services like open heart.

After an experience with my mother and another with a very dear friend - wouldn't go to any of these hospitals.

In the southern parts of The Villages, it seems Leesburg might be the nearest hospital?

You are always better off at large university teaching hospitals for complex problems (i.e. Shands in Gainesville for The University of Florida and Tampa General Hospital in Tampa for The University of South Florida). TVRH and its affiliated Leesburg hospital are fine for routine issues.

You're right about the medivac helo's, but not because local hospitals are lacking in any way. They will go to the nearest certified Trauma Center that can handle the patient. For areas around TV, that will be Ocala Regional/Marion Community (Level II Trauma Ctr), or Orlando Regional (Level I Trauma Ctr). Since TVRH and Leesburg Regional are not one of FL's 22 Trauma Centers, it makes sense trauma patients wouldn't be taken there except in dire situations when the other two places couldn't handle them for some reason.

Those are highly rated hospitals for complex issues, and would be my choice as well for something serious.

It has always bothered me that The Villages hospital performs cardiac caths but can't do open heart suegery. If you go BAD you have to be shipped somewhere.

This has a good point. All hospitals have a trauma level rating. Could be they couldn't handle the situation, or as a previous post suggested, the doctor was affiliated with one of the other hospitals.

At home if it was something serious or a bad car wreck, the helicopter, Nightingale as it was called, would be requested.