Hospital Patients Speak Their Mind in Satisfaction Surveys

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Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is a county-run hospital and as such I'd always thought if I ever needed to be treated for a medical condition this is very last place I'd seek care from.
Fortunately, I was (for the most part) very mistaken in this belief. The surgeon's are top notch, very thorough as they took the time (and more than once as I just didn't get it) to explain what was involved. The lab always manages to draw blood without pain and rarely is there any sort of mark or bruise left behind. And OMG, the absolute very best is the plastic surgeon and her team. Dr. Della Bennett. It just does not get any better than her.
Just one aspect that seriously needs improving is the Oncology department. That department is severely lacking, so much so that if it wasn't for Dr. Bennett I'd probably never set foot in that hospital again. The oncology department at ARMC truly is that bad...mostly it's just their total lack of critical thinking skills.
The rooms are single occupancy which is especially nice. I'd have to say the nursing staff during my stay was better than good as I never rang for the nurse even once. It is a teaching hospital so be prepared for some students on occasion. But, they do make a point of asking your permission first if the student/resident can observe/participate or not.
The cardio department is just about the quickest yet no less professional in what they do. Total time from the parking lot to being on my way back to my car for an EKG (ECG?) was about 20 minutes more or less each time. Medical imaging is a bit more time worthy, after all they are running the big machines, but they do a fine job. The Emergency Department, like many ER's does have a lengthy wait time, however they're very thorough when they do see you.
Just stay away from that Oncology department.

jendrey of CA 4:47PM December 12, 2010

Please view my blog and comment. It tells of what Jefferson hospital did to me in 2006 after a surgery I had for trigeminal neuralgia. After an open wound during the surgery leading to spinal meningitis, 3 brain operations, more infections and pure negligence I am currently dealing with the long term effects of meningitis. This doctor ruined my life. I now have to sell my house and my construction business I have had for over 20 years. I have lost over 40 pounds in the last few months and lost my short term memory. My muscles are extremely weak and I deal with constant global head pain everyday, pain that is so bad that I can only survive on various narcotics I take every few hours. Please read my story and recognize the negligence this doctor practiced. I truly hope that this doesn't happen to any other family. Jefferson hospital is killing me. No family should have to go through this. We should be able to entrust our doctors with our life, hoping that they provide us with quality care.
http://www.jeffersonmedicaltragedy.blogspot.com/
Thank you.

Hal of PA 9:24PM December 06, 2010

As the spouse of a patient who went through the Inpatient Pain Program, I strongly discourage against going into this program.
The physicians did not the patients.
They would contradict themselves, ignore or discount patient complaints of pain.
There were safety issues.
Their record keeping was sloppy.
They would treat all patients in a generic type of program, even if a patient came in who was doing satisfactory on their opiate medications, their approach was to attempt to discontinue all narcotics, replacing them with anti-depressants, anti-epileptic medications, NSAIDS, and a multitude of other drugs.
I am aware of at least 4 other patients who were highly dissatisfied with this program.
One individual recommended their outpatient pain program, which I am unable to comment about.
They advertise that they would tailor the program and evaluate the different causes of your pain. This is something that they failed to do.
In my opinion there was an overall arrogance in their approach and treatment of their patients.
Their patient satisfaction rating is inflated.
At least one patient who was released returned to using his narcotics within two months. He did not report this to the docs.
Some patients who were dissatisfied with the program were not given a patient satisfaction survey.
Their pain program and perhaps all of them are like putting a band aid on a gushing artery. It ain't effective. This is the consensus of the 4 other former patients who I am aware of that went through this program. Some left before the Program was completed. One of those completed the program. He was the one who returned to the narcotics he had been taking previously.
The approach is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, consisting of biofeedback, group psychological meetings, distraction therapy, physical and occupational therapy.
They sound excellent on paper, but my advice is to stay away.
I am aware of possibly two other pain programs in the nation that have in-patient treatment, Rossomoff in Miami and Cleveland Clinic.
I have heard about one complaint about each of them.
In short the general consensus from the limited number of physicians and patients (who went through the programs), is to STAY AWAY from any pain program.

anonymous of CO 1:28AM November 20, 2010

This has to be one of the BEST ORTHOPEADICS HOUSPITAL! I went there for Physical therapy. My therapist was amazing and CURED MY PAIN. I remember meeting this one lady, her name was Cristina, She was so nice and helped me with all the paper work. She explained everything to me in detail. I have never been to a hospital where everyone was so pleasant! I walked in Miserable, and left feeling great!
THANK YOU HOSPITAL FOR JOINT DISEASE
Nicole Rosenblatt

Nicole Rosenblatt of NJ 4:16PM November 04, 2010

Good post. It is nice to see the patient experience getting a share of the spotlight at a publication like US News. Patient Satisfaction metrics are growing in importance at many top hospitals. Here's a great blog post by Cleveland Clinic Chief Experience Officer Dr. James Merlino explaining why top hop hospitals should care about this issue.
http://engagingthepatient.com/2010/09/07/the-patient-experience-why-top-hospitals-should-care/

Nick Lloyd of IL 12:39PM September 17, 2010

The doctors and nurses in the Head & Neck Surgical Oncology Unit are the best! They took great care of my Dad and continue to do so on an outpatient basis...
Thanks Dr. Emerick! You're the MAN!

Mike of MA 8:59PM July 22, 2010

IM SORRY TO THOSE NURSES IN THE RECOVERY ROOM FOR MY CRAZY ANTICS
I DISPLAYED.....ITS THE MEDS.....NOT THE REAL ME......THANX 4 HELPING
W/THAT SITUATION....HEY....EVER HAD A BAD DREAM?? (HA!!)

ARTIS SCHEINERT of NY 4:26PM July 21, 2010

5 STARS TO THOSE WONDERFUL NURSES WHEN I WENT IN ON 7/21/10
FOR AN UPPER ENDOSCOPY. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES HOW
EFFECIENT, PROFESSIONAL, YADA, YADA,YADA.....THEY ARE THE BEST OF THE
BEST....THE CREAM OF THE CROP!!!!

ARTIS SCHEINERT of NY 4:15PM July 21, 2010

These two hospitals have been the best ever I've been. The treatment from in ICU in Cedar was great but did had a bad experience in ICU with two woman when I was complete indefenseless and my family was not there in the moment in Mount Sinai. The neuro surgeons were excellent and their performance were far and beyond anyone had ever imagine. I highly recommend these surgeons believe me they have a steady hand entering into the most dangerous areas of the brain.

a patient of the past of FL 5:21PM July 17, 2010