[Mudder]

Just returned from a 4 day stay, admitted thru ED. Yes, quite a wait in ED, agree with the article in paper that most people needed Urgent Care, not ED. We called Urgent Care of The Villages hospital at 7:45 and they said taking no more patients as they close at 8 PM. That's part of the problem, most Urgent Care centers close about 8 PM. While I waited in ED there were a few sprained wrists and arms, numerous cuts and bruises, a bad back, kids with stomach aches, etc...
Once taken to room I could not have gotten better care anywhere. The Hospitalist who was assigned to me was outstanding, extremely patient with questions, explained everything he was ordering and why he was ordering, etc...the specialist consult was there about an hour after requested, he too was very good. They figured out the problem in a timely manner and I am now well on way to complete recovery.
I was in there in Jan. of 2012 and there was a big difference in everything, so much better this time.
My only regret is that I didn't have RussBoston as my nurse ! But I can assure you that his fellows nurses that I interacted with were all very good in level of care, attitude and staying on top of things.
So, fear not if you find yourself in there, you will have excellent care.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Just returned from a 4 day stay, admitted thru ED. Yes, quite a wait in ED, agree with the article in paper that most people needed Urgent Care, not ED. We called Urgent Care of The Villages hospital at 7:45 and they said taking no more patients as they close at 8 PM. That's part of the problem, most Urgent Care centers close about 8 PM. While I waited in ED there were a few sprained wrists and arms, numerous cuts and bruises, a bad back, kids with stomach aches, etc...
Once taken to room I could not have gotten better care anywhere. The Hospitalist who was assigned to me was outstanding, extremely patient with questions, explained everything he was ordering and why he was ordering, etc...the specialist consult was there about an hour after requested, he too was very good. They figured out the problem in a timely manner and I am now well on way to complete recovery.
I was in there in Jan. of 2012 and there was a big difference in everything, so much better this time.
My only regret is that I didn't have RussBoston as my nurse ! But I can assure you that his fellows nurses that I interacted with were all very good in level of care, attitude and staying on top of things.
So, fear not if you find yourself in there, you will have excellent care.

I agree with you re: the closure time of the UC facilities in T.V.!!! That being said I too had a VERY positive experience with the hospital....two years ago. I wouldn't disparage them unless I knew "the rest of the story"...be it short staffed OR other more extreme cases needing attention etc. When we are in that kind of stressful situation it always seems ours should be looked at immediately (whatever the situation). Having worked in health care many years ago, having friends and family in health care I'm slow to cast judgment. So THANK YOU for sharing your positive experience. Glad you're doing well!!!!

[justjim]

Very few have nothing but kudos for their care once admitted to TV Hospital. The problems with the ER are well documented. Six hour (plus) wait for elderly people in a "world of hurt" is just........ Indefensible. I'll be nice. As noted in the Daily Sun article, the coming winter is going to be another "mess" in the ER at the TV hospital. Being able to find out the wait via your smartphone or a simple phone call seems logical----so we can look for an alternative such as Ocala, Leesburg or Eustis.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by justjim

Very few have nothing but kudos for their care once admitted to TV Hospital. The problems with the ER are well documented. Six hour (plus) wait for elderly people in a "world of hurt" is just........ Indefensible. I'll be nice. As noted in the Daily Sun article, the coming winter is going to be another "mess" in the ER at the TV hospital. Being able to find out the wait via your smartphone or a simple phone call seems logical----so we can look for an alternative such as Ocala, Leesburg or Eustis.

And an even more sensible solution when finding out the wait times is to have the TVRH Urgent Care Center OPEN PAST 8PM.

Good grief. If people go to the ER with a complaint that should be seen at the urgent care center, and they are waiting 8 hours in the ER to be seen.....there certainly is time to shuttle them over the the urgent care center across the street!!!! But also, it has to be open when doctors' offices are not!

It sounds to me like one of the first things the new TV Health System ought to do is to contract with the family physicians group in charge of it, to cover more hours at the TVRH Urgent Care until the "medical home" clinics are up and running all around in TV.

[Mudder]

If you call other hospitals you will generally find the same wait time. We did that. It's really a matter of the UC places being open longer hours. Also the other question is, what happens when uninsured people go to UC, will they be asked to pay? I think that's why many uninsured still will want to go to ED. Maybe the Village Hospital UC will be concidered part of the ED?
Even tho an indivdual feels that their pain and suffering is worse than anyone else's in the waiting room we all are feeling the same way. I knew I'd have to wait so I tried just to be calm(no way I could relax), getting all worked up would only intensify my perception of my pain. Sometimes you just have to get a grip. I find the older I get the more patience I have because people yelling and complaining look so foolish most of the time.

[graciegirl]

I have been to the ICU unit visiting a friend several times for the last few days. What a well run place and the staff is not only skilled but compassionate. I have had many misgivings erased about The Villages Hospital and our friend is steadily improving, Thank God.