[mommieswamie]

I just figured out why The Vllages Hospital ER is so busy. The only way to be admitted to the hospital is to go through the ER.

Friday I called my doctor as a condition for which I had been in the hospital twice since Christmas had returned with a vengeance. He said he was going to admit me but that I needed to go to the ER. The last time I went through the ER for hospital admittance, the triage nurse told me that my doctor could call ahead with orders and that would save some time. He did call and was told the hospital was not taking orders over the phone from doctors. I asked if I could just stay home until there was a bed available as it was clear that I needed to be in the hospital, but it was not an emergency. No again - I was told that I needed to go to the ER. It was the only way to be admitted to the hospital.

Desperate for help, knowing that I needed to be on IV antibiotics immediately, yet just being unwilling and unable to face the lengthy wait at The Villages hospital ER, I went online to check the ER wait times that are posted for a nearby hospital system. I then drove to that hospital where I waited a short period of time and was admitted through their ER. Granted, I do not have my regular primary care doctor, but my admitting doctor knows my primary care doctor well and he called him. The infectious disease doctor that I needed has privileges here, so here I am.

My infectious disease doctor confirmed that there had not been a direct admit to The Villages hospital in a long time.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by mommieswamie

I just figured out why The Vllages Hospital ER is so busy. The only way to be admitted to the hospital is to go through the ER.

Friday I called my doctor as a condition for which I had been in the hospital twice since Christmas had returned with a vengeance. He said he was going to admit me but that I needed to go to the ER. The last time I went through the ER for hospital admittance, the triage nurse told me that my doctor could call ahead with orders and that would save some time. He did call and was told the hospital was not taking orders over the phone from doctors. I asked if I could just stay home until there was a bed available as it was clear that I needed to be in the hospital, but it was not an emergency. No again - I was told that I needed to go to the ER. It was the only way to be admitted to the hospital.

Desperate for help, knowing that I needed to be on IV antibiotics immediately, yet just being unwilling and unable to face the lengthy wait at The Villages hospital ER, I went online to check the ER wait times that are posted for a nearby hospital system. I then drove to that hospital where I waited a short period of time and was admitted through their ER. Granted, I do not have my regular primary care doctor, but my admitting doctor knows my primary care doctor well and he called him. The infectious disease doctor that I needed has privileges here, so here I am.

My infectious disease doctor confirmed that there had not been a direct admit to The Villages hospital in a long time.

I don't think I understand this. If I would go to my regular doctor and he would order tests and ascertain I needed to have my gall bladder removed and sent me to a surgeon, I could not be admitted at.....admissions?

What if my next baby is by c section?

I hope you are feeling much better now Mommieswamie.

[jblum315]

I don't understand it either. An expectant mother in labor has to go through ER? Someone scheduled for surgery next morning has to be admitted through ER? Seems wrong.

[BobnBev]

I understand that if you arrive by ambulance, you go right to the head of the line, is this correct?

[gomoho]

Don't think they have obstetrics at TV hospital Gracie so you probably don't want to go there for delivery of your next baby.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Don't think they have obstetrics at TV hospital Gracie so you probably don't want to go there for delivery of your next baby.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

I understand that if you arrive by ambulance, you go right to the head of the line, is this correct?

Nope. You are evaluated and a priority for treatment is established. Life/limb threatening conditions are seen before others.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by mommieswamie

I just figured out why The Vllages Hospital ER is so busy. The only way to be admitted to the hospital is to go through the ER.

Friday I called my doctor as a condition for which I had been in the hospital twice since Christmas had returned with a vengeance. He said he was going to admit me but that I needed to go to the ER. The last time I went through the ER for hospital admittance, the triage nurse told me that my doctor could call ahead with orders and that would save some time. He did call and was told the hospital was not taking orders over the phone from doctors. I asked if I could just stay home until there was a bed available as it was clear that I needed to be in the hospital, but it was not an emergency. No again - I was told that I needed to go to the ER. It was the only way to be admitted to the hospital.

Desperate for help, knowing that I needed to be on IV antibiotics immediately, yet just being unwilling and unable to face the lengthy wait at The Villages hospital ER, I went online to check the ER wait times that are posted for a nearby hospital system. I then drove to that hospital where I waited a short period of time and was admitted through their ER. Granted, I do not have my regular primary care doctor, but my admitting doctor knows my primary care doctor well and he called him. The infectious disease doctor that I needed has privileges here, so here I am.

My infectious disease doctor confirmed that there had not been a direct admit to The Villages hospital in a long time.

I just spent a long wait in the hallway of the emergency room along with a lot of other ill persons. The only way I would agree with my wife to go the emergency room in the first place was if transported by ambulance. I really needed this type of transport because of being so ill and very dehydrated, I would never do the ambulance thing is not necessary. Sadly I spent over 8 hours in the hallway, the place was packed. I hate to guess how long the wait would have been if I had walked into the emergency room. It is well known that it is best to go to the Villages Hospital is by ambulance if needing attention. I truly believe the staff did the best they could for me considering the overwhelming circumstances. THE PROBLEM, AND THERE DEFINATELY IS A PROBLEM, IS THAT THE SINGLE HOSPITAL FACILITY SIMPLY CANNOT HANDLE THE 100,000 PLUS POPULATION. Ocala with a population less than the Villages has no less than three major hospitals.

[villager]

Interesting. About a month ago, my mother-in-law was scheduled for a surgical procedure. The doc wanted her admitted the day before. She stayed at home until the hospital called to say there was a bed available. When we arrived at the hospital, we went directly to the admissions window (not through the ER) and they signed her in right away. I have no idea why she didn't have to go through the ER as the OP says. I have also heard from medical professionals that if you go to the ER on your own, you will wait much longer than if you arrive by ambulance. Who knows what to believe these days.

[ilovetv]

I'd be pretty sure your primary doctor here is not satisfied with the administrative procedures like this at TVRH. Imagine being a doctor or nurse working in such a setting!

As Michael Dukakis said so famously, "The fish rots from the head down".

We've all seen more than enough to say:

This hospital needs the entire top and middle level administration ousted and replaced with people who have run hospitals effectively in other large cities over 100,000. Tweeking this thing is going nowhere, and the developer's clout and managerial insight are needed.

There. I said it.

To Gary Morse, Mark Morse, and Jennifer Parr:

Are you listening? You need to speak with front-line doctors (as in ER), NOT administrative ones that "manage" by having one meeting after another, playing political games.

[billethkid]

as I have said many times before I would not go to TV for anything.....for many reasons, not the least of which is the issues presented in this thread.

Leesburg hospital admission policy is they give you 3-5 prior to your scheduled procedure to come in and pre-register. Then the day of the procedure or when ever you are to be admitted, one just stops by the desk and checks in.

My personal experience at Leesburg? Pre registration took about 30 minutes. Check in day, I was on my way to my procedure in less than 30 minutes.

My priority for hospitals:

Leesburg
Monroe Regional Medical Center
Waterman

None are as convenient as TV hospital, however one will spend significantly less time getting the treatment at the ones further away.

And I know there will be others who have personal experiences at these places as well.
Our experience with needing treatment over the last 9 years at Leesburg (4 different times between my wife and I)....they get straight A on their report card from us. Patient and family focused and expedient.

btk

[scarecrow1]

I would go to the e.r. After 8:00 p.m. Nothing goes on in the villages after eight !!!!!!!

[Fuzz323]

About a month ago I cut my thumb open with a razor knife opening boxes. I tried to stop the bleeding for more than a couple of hours and then had my wife drive me to the Villages hospital for the first time since we moved here. Info was promptly taken and shortly after I was seen by a (triage?) nurse. All this time I was applying good pressure to the wound. After that little interview (continue with the pressure!) we sat in the waiting room for another 2 1/2 hrs. By this time the bleeding had slowed to a manageable rate so we said goodby - I have nerve damage in that thumb now & a nice scar plus a great memory of that hospital!! If you can go somewhere else!!

[red tail]

Originally Posted by Fuzz323

About a month ago I cut my thumb open with a razor knife opening boxes. I tried to stop the bleeding for more than a couple of hours and then had my wife drive me to the Villages hospital for the first time since we moved here. Info was promptly taken and shortly after I was seen by a (triage?) nurse. All this time I was applying good pressure to the wound. After that little interview (continue with the pressure!) we sat in the waiting room for another 2 1/2 hrs. By this time the bleeding had slowed to a manageable rate so we said goodby - I have nerve damage in that thumb now & a nice scar plus a great memory of that hospital!! If you can go somewhere else!!

the hospital has an urgent care across the street for small emergencys. no waiting! that's what triage is all about. those arriving by ambulance are treated first

[Mack184]

Originally Posted by red tail

the hospital has an urgent care across the street for small emergencys. no waiting! that's what triage is all about. those arriving by ambulance are treated first

NO..THEY ARE NOT! This nonsensical idea needs to be buried forever.

IF..and ONLY IF you have TRUE emergency..will you be taken ahead of everybody else. If you are rated a 1 or 2 by Triage, will you get to be taken ahead of ofthers. 1=You are dieing and they are bringing you back. 2=Emergent stroke, MI, gunshot, serious trauma. If you don't fall into those 2 catagories you will wait like everyone else. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING annoys the ER staff more than people who've taken the big red bus to the hospital because they think it's a ticket to the front row when they are not suffering from a TRUE emergency.

If you feel you need to call EMS, by all means do so. But don't be annoyed if you don't get taken right away once you have been triaged. If you're not a 1 or 2..There are others who need the doctors and the nurses more than you do.

Those nurses & doctors work 12-hour shifts often without lunch, coffee or pee breaks. They work HARD. They are not off playing cards & drinking beer while you're waiting. They bust their butts. They'll get to you as soon as they possibly can.