[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by kanoa1kale2

How is a layman to define what is an emergency and what is not? Btw, most Urgent Care centers around here close between 5 and 7pm. There are a number of very competent ER facilities very close by.

Why not?????

So far, on this thread alone, we have had laymen go home and diagnose themselves (wrongly, I'm pretty sure), laymen who know what tests they do and do not need, laymen who know ER protocol, laymen who know ER to hospitalist patient handoff protocols, laymen who know the role of the ER physician in examination and treatment, laymen who know the need for and protocols for transferring a patient to another facility (COBRA notwithstanding ), and more. So why not let these AMATEUR PHYSICIANS do their own triage as to what is and is not an emergency? What could possibly go wrong????

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by scottomjs

Sounds A typical avoid the emergency room if you can particularly if you’re not bleeding anywhere on the body

I'd make that "bleeding profusely"

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by cj1040

File a complaint letter with the hospital director.. that is the best way to bring it to their attention.

I always read the posts on here with a lot of skepticism. Most posters insist on remaining anonymous, so they can color their experience with any color in their crayon box. Sometimes things just sort of "scream out" as overkill. That is my reaction to this OP.

[tammy5912554@gmail.com]

Just as a side note...I was at Villages Hospital yesterday for a routine colonoscopy. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had with a medical provider. They were so kind and professional.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I always read the posts on here with a lot of skepticism. Most posters insist on remaining anonymous, so they can color their experience with any color in their crayon box. Sometimes things just sort of "scream out" as overkill. That is my reaction to this OP.

All I can say, GG, is that I could have made a running scathing critique of what the OP posted---no triage line, billing clerks that are "untrained", "storming out" with a full thickness ACL tear, and of course lawyer hunting. At least 3/4 of it did not pass the smell test. But sometimes it isn't worth tilting at windmills.

[Birdbathbabe]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope you are healing well. Good luck

[cathell62]

Unusual, I've been to the ER several times in the past with no issues. Could have been an off day for them. Your attitude could have been a contributing factor, especially when you're in pain. For everyone waiting in the waiting room to be told the results, agree that was off. Rooms must have been full as I've never had to wait other the the ER room.
Did you ever think about talking to a manager while you were there? That can usually resolve issues. If not, did you follow up call? If not, that's on you. Sounds like you didn't to your due diligence in finding out answers.
Overall, sounds like your attitude didn't help the situation, keep in mind you get the respect you give. If you have a ****y attitude, I would have given it back to you.
Hope your life goes better.

Originally Posted by ScottS

I recently had the misfortune of having to use the Villages ER. Absolute worst experience of my life. We arrived at apx 5:15 pm. We were treated extremely rudely by the elderly gentleman registering patients. We first had to ask if that was the line, as there really was no formal line. His tone and customer service were appalling. And yes he was a paid employee and not a volunteer. We then were directed to the billing person, who was also untrained and very rude. She asked for my insurance information. I handed her the workman’s comp form which had all the info needed. She handed it back and said she needed my insurance card. After pointing out this was a workman’s comp claim and this was not going on my personal insurance, she snatched the papers back out of my hand and complained that she did not know how to file a workman’s comp claim. My wife quickly took me to a seat as she could tell I was about to snap. So 2 hours later we are taken back to get an X-ray on my injured right knee. After completing the X-rays we are taken back to the waiting room. After 3 more hours apx 11:00, the ER doctor makes an appearance, he starts sitting with the 8 or 9 people in the waiting room and discussing all of their medical issues right there in the waiting room amongst everyone there. They use to have this thing called Hipaa, apparently that doesn’t exist here in the Villages. By midnight it was finally my turn to have my medical issues discussed aloud in front of everyone. He diagnosed me with a bad knee sprain, ordered me some pain killers, a knee brace and crutches. At 1:30 my wife was tired of waiting and went to check on the above items. 3 times I was asked my height. 3 times they were told 5’9”. They brought out crutches and a knee brace that the lowest adjustment was for someone 6’2”. At 2 am I stormed out the front door with nothing that fit, and no pain meds as all the pharmacy’s are closed and they don’t give medications out at that ER. What a joke! Turns out, after going to a real doctor the next day, that I had a completely torn in half ACL. NOT A BAD SPRAIN! If anyone knows of a good lawyer I would love their name, as hipaa laws were broken, the misdiagnosis without out even doing an MRI was reckless. I even asked him why they weren’t doing an MRI, to which he responded we don’t do those here. What??? Are you kidding me? So after being there for about nine hours, we were worse off than when we got there, and the sad part is they will still get paid.

[justjim]

We are very fortunate not to need the Village Hospital emergency room. I’ve read most of the Threads on this site regarding this subject over the last several years and if only HALF of the “stories” are true it’s pretty darn scary. Obviously, there is much room for improvement. We have used a couple of urgent care centers and find them to be acceptable for what they are expected to do. I would highly recommend that the OP and others who find their emergency care unacceptable, to report that to the highest possible responsible authorities. By doing so it’s possible you could save someone from pain and suffering and even their life.

[taruffi57]

How about my 91 yr. old Mother fell and split her forehead and peeled back a sizeable area of skin on her arm, and we sat in ER for 11 hrs. Finally got seen but virtually no treatment, then back there and waited another 7 hrs. the next day to be treated, I sat with her.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Several days of a terrible headache due to a "food allergy". OK, whatever.

Now stepping back from the story, it appears that you stated you were seen at TVRH ER and had a lumbar puncture, which "hit a capillary" (Which, btw, is impossible given the diameter of capillaries and the diameter of a spinal needle). Then you were sent to Shands, which is acknowledged as a highly rated facility, presumably had a MRI or CT, some other testing and a neurology consult since you were there for "a day", but they could find out what was wrong either. So, at this point, what makes TVRH ER horrible and Shands ER great??????
But to finish your story, you went home, and while neither locally or at Shands you could be diagnosed by medical professionals and specialists, YOU diagnosed YOURSELF with "food allergies"
I will be (extremely) polite and just state I remain a bit skeptical.

Moral of the story----this is exactly why there is no American Association of Amateur Physicians

thank you for an informative post

[ScottS]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

All I can say, GG, is that I could have made a running scathing critique of what the OP posted---no triage line, billing clerks that are "untrained", "storming out" with a full thickness ACL tear, and of course lawyer hunting. At least 3/4 of it did not pass the smell test. But sometimes it isn't worth tilting at windmills.

Oh omnipotent one, please enlighten us all with your vast knowledge. I didn’t type every detail nor post pics of all supporting documentation. But since you feel as though you are some sort of spokesperson person for the group, I shall give your highness more details. The “triage line” consisted of people sitting in various spots as they were tired of standing, and when I say people, there were probably 2 people standing, 2 people in wheel chairs like myself, and 2 or 3 sitting in various areas. The billing clerk, admitted she had no clue how to do the billing for a workman’s comp issue, and she would just “wing it”. ( after spending several hours on the phone with the billing dept, it has now been straightened out. As far as storming out, yes that was a bit exaggerated. The young man who came in for the late shift was actually very caring. And spent his first hour handing out blankets, and talking with people to see if he could accommodate their needs somehow. When my wife approached him he was very kind and helpful. He did make an effort to retrieve the crutches and brace, as well as get the written prescription for the pain meds and something for the swelling. In his haste he grabbed all of the wrong sizes and noticed it as he was handing them to us. And offered to go get the right sizes. We thanked him but explained we were just worn out and wanted to get home, and even though that wasn’t his fault it was just kind of the straw that broke the camels back at that point. The prescription would be worthless until 8 am the next morning and they gave me zero medication in the interim. We thanked him for trying and thanked him for helping the other people left sitting alone in there. He was the only one who showed any empathy at all and willingness to help at all. Kudos to him. Unfortunately for him it was too little to late, but once again not his fault. As for the full tear ACL. It was indeed a “full rupture with very little left to connect to” The operation was Thursday and I sit here in my keyboard warrior full leg brace and cryogenic circulation machine addressing your questions. And as for the suing quip, I would never waste my time with such frivolity, to take on a hospital that is backed by Morse money would be ludicrous. So I hope the gods are now appeased and all is right with your world. For someone who wasn’t there and had zero knowledge of what actually went on, you sure seem to think you knew a lot. And I really could careless about your sniff test.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by ScottS

Oh omnipotent one, please enlighten us all with your vast knowledge. I didn’t type every detail nor post pics of all supporting documentation. But since you feel as though you are some sort of spokesperson person for the group, I shall give your highness more details. The “triage line” consisted of people sitting in various spots as they were tired of standing, and when I say people, there were probably 2 people standing, 2 people in wheel chairs like myself, and 2 or 3 sitting in various areas. The billing clerk, admitted she had no clue how to do the billing for a workman’s comp issue, and she would just “wing it”. ( after spending several hours on the phone with the billing dept, it has now been straightened out. As far as storming out, yes that was a bit exaggerated. The young man who came in for the late shift was actually very caring. And spent his first hour handing out blankets, and talking with people to see if he could accommodate their needs somehow. When my wife approached him he was very kind and helpful. He did make an effort to retrieve the crutches and brace, as well as get the written prescription for the pain meds and something for the swelling. In his haste he grabbed all of the wrong sizes and noticed it as he was handing them to us. And offered to go get the right sizes. We thanked him but explained we were just worn out and wanted to get home, and even though that wasn’t his fault it was just kind of the straw that broke the camels back at that point. The prescription would be worthless until 8 am the next morning and they gave me zero medication in the interim. We thanked him for trying and thanked him for helping the other people left sitting alone in there. He was the only one who showed any empathy at all and willingness to help at all. Kudos to him. Unfortunately for him it was too little to late, but once again not his fault. As for the full tear ACL. It was indeed a “full rupture with very little left to connect to” The operation was Thursday and I sit here in my keyboard warrior full leg brace and cryogenic circulation machine addressing your questions. And as for the suing quip, I would never waste my time with such frivolity, to take on a hospital that is backed by Morse money would be ludicrous. So I hope the gods are now appeased and all is right with your world. For someone who wasn’t there and had zero knowledge of what actually went on, you sure seem to think you knew a lot. And I really could careless about your sniff test.

So - you admit that you made up a lot of this and left out anything positive that might refute your false claims and assertions, just so that you could prove a point that had no validity in the first place.

You got stuck waiting for a long time and had one employee who didn't seem competent. And you were frustrated, in pain, and angry. Instead of being an adult about it and following up with an omnibudsman for the hospital, you came here to vent and rant and go full-blown 12-year-old Karen on everyone.

[Gerry Hutchings]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Welcome to the club, most people will only visit there once and thankfully there are other choices now as not that long ago that was the only game in town. We had a terrible life threatening experience there and will never go back.

What are the other choices -- where are they ? Close or some travel needed. Also had a lousey experience there. Thank you for any info>

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So - you admit that you made up a lot of this and left out anything positive that might refute your false claims and assertions, just so that you could prove a point that had no validity in the first place.

You got stuck waiting for a long time and had one employee who didn't seem competent. And you were frustrated, in pain, and angry. Instead of being an adult about it and following up with an omnibudsman for the hospital, you came here to vent and rant and go full-blown 12-year-old Karen on everyone.

sounds like they wandered in from that 'other' forum.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by ScottS

Oh omnipotent one, please enlighten us all with your vast knowledge. I didn’t type every detail nor post pics of all supporting documentation. But since you feel as though you are some sort of spokesperson person for the group, I shall give your highness more details. The “triage line” consisted of people sitting in various spots as they were tired of standing, and when I say people, there were probably 2 people standing, 2 people in wheel chairs like myself, and 2 or 3 sitting in various areas. The billing clerk, admitted she had no clue how to do the billing for a workman’s comp issue, and she would just “wing it”. ( after spending several hours on the phone with the billing dept, it has now been straightened out. As far as storming out, yes that was a bit exaggerated. The young man who came in for the late shift was actually very caring. And spent his first hour handing out blankets, and talking with people to see if he could accommodate their needs somehow. When my wife approached him he was very kind and helpful. He did make an effort to retrieve the crutches and brace, as well as get the written prescription for the pain meds and something for the swelling. In his haste he grabbed all of the wrong sizes and noticed it as he was handing them to us. And offered to go get the right sizes. We thanked him but explained we were just worn out and wanted to get home, and even though that wasn’t his fault it was just kind of the straw that broke the camels back at that point. The prescription would be worthless until 8 am the next morning and they gave me zero medication in the interim. We thanked him for trying and thanked him for helping the other people left sitting alone in there. He was the only one who showed any empathy at all and willingness to help at all. Kudos to him. Unfortunately for him it was too little to late, but once again not his fault. As for the full tear ACL. It was indeed a “full rupture with very little left to connect to” The operation was Thursday and I sit here in my keyboard warrior full leg brace and cryogenic circulation machine addressing your questions. And as for the suing quip, I would never waste my time with such frivolity, to take on a hospital that is backed by Morse money would be ludicrous. So I hope the gods are now appeased and all is right with your world. For someone who wasn’t there and had zero knowledge of what actually went on, you sure seem to think you knew a lot. And I really could careless about your sniff test.

First of all, and most importantly, I hope your surgery was very successful and that you have a full recovery and quickly return to full activity. That is far more important than TOTV keyboard squabbling.

Second, your revised version is much more reasonable and believable. Perhaps the billing clerk was, well, less than competent, and the triage line may have been "corrupted" by people sitting and moving away

Third, you state I seem to "know a lot" even though I wasn't there. That's because I've managed enough ERs and hospital staff, worked as a physician in enough ERs for the last 40 years that I have a pretty good idea of the spectrum of what is and is not likely. BTW, I am hardly "omnipotent", nor am I a "spokesperson for the group", I simply "callz them as I seez" them, like everybody else on this forum.

And lastly, my comment to GG about your OP addressed the FACTS you put forth in your first post. I don't see where I launched any kind of personal attack on you. Can you say the same?????