[graciegirl]

On the Front page of Today's Daily Sun there was a story about the expansion of the hospital. It is a step forward I hope.

[spk7951]

Can someone give me a brief overview of the hospital story? Still out of town for another week or so and we are curious about the announcement. Did not see it posted yet on the Daily Sun web site.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by spk7951

Can someone give me a brief overview of the hospital story? Still out of town for another week or so and we are curious about the announcement. Did not see it posted yet on the Daily Sun web site.

The front page article is now posted on The Daily Sun's website.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by janmcn

The front page article is now posted on The Daily Sun's website.

Shouldn't be news to anyone since we detailed most of it earlier in this thread. Devil is in the details however.

Still don't know how they are going to staff it when we have issues today with only 200 beds and 25 ER rooms. Hope they have a plan.

Russ Boston

My Mother had to use The Villages ER after an accident and she was properly triaged by the nurses, received immediate assistance and was hospitalized for a week. The doctors and nurses took exceptional care of her, and I would like to thank you all for that.

I too got to see all the beds with the EMTs in the hallway of the ER, but I think the Nurses who are working overtime to make sure they get it right are doing the best with the resources they have.

Anyway, I hope this expansion helps...it is certainly a step in the right direction.

Katie

[zonerboy]

In addition to doubling the number of ER rooms they better double the number of ER docs, or else patients will still face 8 hour waits before being seen.
I spent over 8 hours in the waiting room in severe pain from a kidney stone before being evaluated and medicated. This was 9 months ago.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by zonerboy

In addition to doubling the number of ER rooms they better double the number of ER docs, or else patients will still face 8 hour waits before being seen.
I spent over 8 hours in the waiting room in severe pain from a kidney stone before being evaluated and medicated. This was 9 months ago.

Yes, as I mentioned staffing will be the real issue going forward, not available space.

[johndamelio]

I've been there twice . Both times there was a wait of 8 + hours.
Nurses have told me that when snowbirds are here they are overwhelmed.
I'll try Leesburgh next time if I have to.

[perrjojo]

I also read in The Daily Sun that part of the problem was that 10 to 15 patients a day come to the ER with chest pain. It was stated that Medicare required that chest pain patients must be tested and observed for 24 hours before they can be admitted. Is this truly the protocol?

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by zonerboy

In addition to doubling the number of ER rooms they better double the number of ER docs, or else patients will still face 8 hour waits before being seen.
I spent over 8 hours in the waiting room in severe pain from a kidney stone before being evaluated and medicated. This was 9 months ago.

I'm surprised you didn't pass out from the pain!

[Vinny]

It is everywhere. I waited for 18 hours in NJ with painful kidney stones a few years ago.

[simpkinp]

I took my late husband to ER many times. Over in Brevard County and never got out of therein less than 8 hours, usually longer. It is not just TV Hospital. It's everywhere.

[queasy27]

I went to an urgent care center in March and after a bit of hullabaloo, they called an ambulance and hurried me out of there. The Villages hospital was diverting so I was sent to Leesburg, where the paramedics waited with me until I was processed and placed in an ER room. I ended up being admitted but had to wait in the ER for almost a day before a room became available.

In March/April, I had to go to The Villages ER, once on a Sunday morning and once at about 8:30pm on a Wednesday. The ER was almost empty on Sunday morning and full (like, no chairs left in the waiting room) on Wednesday night. Both times I was taken in and seen by an ER doctor within 15 minutes. I'm sure having a "cardiac episode" in progress considerably speeds up the triage!

At any rate, I didn't find my experiences at Leesburg and The Villages ER departments to be any different. Both were very crowded and both treated me on gurneys in the hallway because there were no ER stalls available, but I thought the care at The Villages was more than adequate. I was also admitted at TV and had no issues during my stay.

[salferg]

Forget Leesburg! We just had an 8 hour wait last week.

[daviskgb]

The same thing does not necessarily happen in other Emergency Departments (ED). Many hosptals have processes and practices in place to provide superior service that results in excellent clinical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction rates. Someone mentioned what powers that be allow this, we are the powers that be, we are the consumers. Take your business elsewhere. You would drive an extra mile to go to a new restaurant, do the same for your health. And complain! Letters to the CEO of hospital, the parent corporation and to your physician. Become involved, do not settle for less.