[Yorio]

We had hiccups on New Year's early morning and we had to call 911. When they arrived, we were told that Village hospital can't accept any more patient. Does anyone know whether Village hospital will be increasing beds anytime soon? I was asked which hospital in Ocala, either Ocala Regional or Munroe but I had no idea but having heard that Ocala Regional was recently designated trauma center, I chose the former. They mentioned Leesburg but I didn't pursue further. If you had to make this decision, would you have had a preference?

[CatskillBill]

Originally Posted by Yorio

We had hiccups on New Year's early morning and we had to call 911. When they arrived, we were told that Village hospital can't accept any more patient. Does anyone know whether Village hospital will be increasing beds anytime soon? I was asked which hospital in Ocala, either Ocala Regional or Munroe but I had no idea but having heard that Ocala Regional was recently designated trauma center, I chose the former. They mentioned Leesburg but I didn't pursue further. If you had to make this decision, would you have had a preference?

Try this method for stopping hiccups: 1. Place a straw in a glass of ice water. 2. Put your index fingers in your ears. 3. Drink all of the water thru the straw.

Works every time, and you won't need 911.

[jpharmat]

During my fathers illness he had to use Leesburg Hospital many times because his doctor had Privileges there. As far as I can tell he received good care there, no complaints on our end. It is easy to get to also.

[Mudder]

I'd always pick Munroe.

[mrfixit]

Originally Posted by Mudder

I'd always pick Munroe.

The 5 magic words........Please take me to Munroe

[ilovetv]

I say this respectfully...I honestly can't imagine a case of hiccups thought would require an ambulance and ER visit. Is there some other medical condition that made this an "emergency"?

One reasons the ER's couldn't take more patients is because people over-use them with things that are not emergencies and could be treated at an urgent care center or doctor's office. Just trying to understand.....

[applesoffh]

I understand from neighbors that The Villages hospital was packed on Friday evening. They spent 8 hours in the ER, and my friend ended up being admitted. Said it was chaotic...understaffed, but everyone did the best they could. Guess many snowbirds and holiday guests brought the flu with them. Anyway, with our increasing population, we certainly need more adequate hospital facilities locally. I don't think Marcus Welby would be amused.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I say this respectfully...I honestly can't imagine a case of hiccups thought would require an ambulance and ER visit. Is there some other medical condition that made this an "emergency"?

One reasons the ER's couldn't take more patients is because people over-use them with things that are not emergencies and could be treated at an urgent care center or doctor's office. Just trying to understand.....

I was going to ask about the hiccups as well, but didn't want to appear insensitive. I've never heard of someone going to the hospital for this. Is there something that I'm not understanding?

[Emery Eaton]

Munroe is a great hospital in Ocala. I believe The Villages Hospital is part of Central Florida Health Alliance, which also included the hospital in Leesburg. It is probaly just as close as Munroe in Ocala. Munroe is probably better in most cases if you can't get to The Villages Hospital.
I ended up in the Villages Hospital with a "Disected Vertebral Artery", and the found it, which is rare. Usually it goes undiagnosed, and the person ends up dead two-three weeks later, so I must say that hospital is a great hospital. They ended up sending me to Shands in Gainesville, which is the best in the area.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gerryann

I was going to ask about the hiccups as well, but didn't want to appear insensitive. I've never heard of someone going to the hospital for this. Is there something that I'm not understanding?

I was wondering too.

I found this link

What Causes Hiccups and Are Hiccups Dangerous? - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

[SALYBOW]

I just retired from TVRH. I have been told that they are adding 60 more beds because they are always overcrowded. Some of the reasoning behind their decision is as follows:
1. Because of the cutbacks in Medicare funding the in patient aspect of health care is no longer profitable. Therefore they allowed their Certificate of Need in Brownwood expire. They will not be building a new hospital there. Most Health Alliances are switching to out patient options. TVRH is 84% Medicare dependent so they are being hit harder than most hospitals in America. IMHO there should be some accommodation made for hospitals who have so many Medicare patients. Not trying to get political here but we need to ask congress if there is any hope there.

2. I have been in Munroe in Ocala and was very much impressed with my care there.

3. I had an outpatient operations at Marion West (Munroe's Country Club edition) and was equally impressed.
I have no regrets from either visit.

I hope this actually answers your question since it seemed sincere.

Hopefully we will not need it.

[Yorio]

Thank you for the information from all of you and it wasn't really a "hiccup" but an acute case of gall bladder stones. Of course, we found about it after the fact. Final surgery was done in Orlando but wanted to find out your experience in case of a 911 situation at The Villages and if The Village hospital is booked solid. Thought our experience and your input will help those in similar situation for the future. Thanks.

[billethkid]

my choices are:
Leesburg Hospital
Monroe Regional Care Hospital (there is a branch here now on 441)
Florida Hospital
The Villages

We have standing orders that in the event of an emergency....Leesburg first.

btk

[rp001]

I just had a horrific experience at The Villages Hospital. I was transported by ems during the night for a non-life threatening condition and was treated promptly. However I had to return 36 hrs later to have the temp "patch" removed. No other doctor would touch it as it was put in by someone else. I sat for 5 hrs. During that time I witnessed several people brought in by ems and placed in the waiting room for literally hours. I saw a man that had just been diagnosed with a stroke, and whose wife works there as a nurse, wait for several hours till he finally called someone and transported himself to Leesburg. I saw three elderly folks brought in by ems just placed in the waiting room. I saw a man with a dislocated shoulder sit for three hours. I finally asked a triage nurse what the maximum time anyone had waited and she said 12 hrs. I said thanks and that meant that I'd be home that night I was upbeat and happy. I then announced to the entire waiting room the info I was given and everyone got a laugh. At that point a very young "floor supv" opened up the floodgates literally. It seems back in pre-op they had waiting beds, doctors,and nurses not doing much of anything. Anyways I got in right away after that. Seems to be totally mismanaged and wrongfully utilized. Locals and snowbirds are using that er as a clinic and it is not being used for true emergency care. Seems the two should be separated. As a footnote I heard from a nurse there that Munroe Regional had been DENIED a Needs request as they said there was not a true need for another hospital here. Seems to be a design to not allow competition. How very sad, as this is not in any form quality health care.

[graciegirl]

Is a temp patch used to tell temperature? How do they remove a temp patch? Is it positioned underskin level? I thought they were like bandaids.

I can't imagine a stroke patient being denied intravenous blood thinners immediately. I can understand a dislocated shoulder being behind a breathing emergency and if there are too many not life threatening cases there, sadly they have to wait. That is what triage is for.

BUT..............This is all very troubling.