Reviews of Community General Osteopathic Hospital
Found 1 record
Horrific ER - 12/28/2009 08:28:05
Anon from Harrisburg PA
Hbg's "Osteopathic" hospital ER is more like PSYCHOpathic - AVOID. My experience anyway. I am still dumbfounded at how I was treated at this place.
The other night I was awakened by a very bad cramp in my side. I tried drinking water, walking it off etc, but it just got worse...in fact so bad that it became nothing short of agony and I felt I had no choice but to call 911. Keep in mind have never done this before and would not do so if I felt I had an option (esp as it was the holidays). I was in a hotel (one that Osteopathic is RIGHT behind, easy walking dist...unfortunately I could barely walk anyway), so I got dressed and went down to the lobby.
Over TWENTY MINUTES later the ambulance shows. By this point I had thrown up, including some blood. I wobble to the ambulance and get in. The guy asks me my name. I tell him my last name, which kind of sounds like a first name. He asks me my last name and I explain that's it. Again keep in mind I am in truly unbearable pain, doubled over and in tears. I need IMMEDIATE help. He starts over, asking me my name and seemingly irritated, trying to get it straight...and the ambulance hasn't even pulled out yet. Apparently he isn't going anywhere till he gets this info, obviously with no concern about my condition. Out of desperation and fear (not anger) I say "would you just get this thing moving, j**us." He GLARES me down, very ticked, and goes "now LOOK (a**)hole. Don't give me an attitude." I mean he acted as if I just walked up to him on the street and called him a dirty name or something. As I type this I still can't believe it. Finally they got moving...and took a very long time (I would guess 10 mins or more) to get someplace that a person could walk to about as quickly.
For all any of us knew, I could have a ruptured appendix or God knows what - but this guy, who's job is helping others in dire need, is giving me a high school-like combative attitude. I had this crazy idea that ER people's first and foremost concern was a patient's health, esp one in a potentially very serious condition and/or searing pain (doesn't that describe most if not all people calling an ambulance?).
Finally, we get to the hospital. As I get out, they make no attempt whatsoever to help me out, so I stagger in. I stopped half-way to the station and doubled over in pain. NO one makes any attempt to help me or see what's going on. Instead, there are several ladies just sitting there at the station, chatting away. As I stagger in, clearly in a very bad way, they non-chalantly say "go over there and get undressed and into the gown." Again, no attempt to ascertain my situation or help me or even the mildest concern for my condition.
I manage to get undressed and this lady comes over and asks me my name. Again I give a last name and she also assumes it's my first. I explain otherwise (clearly, although it's a hoarse and soft tone as that's all I can get out). Again keep in mind I am laying on this bed, doubled over in absolute agony and in tears, all but bawling and barely able to speak. With no effort or concern about that, she continues, asking me all my personal info..birthdate address etc...as if we were chatting in a coffee shop; again no sense of concern or urgency whatsoever for my situation. Finally, as I could barely talk, when she got to my address I blurted out in desperation "on license in pants pocket." She actually glares at me and sneers "in the time it took you to say that you could have just told us."
Again, I was (and remain) in total shock at such a total lack of compassion and disregard for my condition - from ER people no less. (PS: they also kept screwing up and re-asking me my name, even though I clearly gave it to them in full at least 3 or 4 more times)
Finally the Dr. arrives and instructs them to give me a pain-killer (hey there's an idea)...first one did little to help so finally they give me morphine, which at last helped. Keep in mind I've been there well over an hour already. They do a CAT scan and find it's a kidney stone; he explains I should be able to pass it. PS and in fairness, the doctor was actually pleasant and professional. But he was about the only one. The rest ranged from barely polite to horrific, and none expressed even feigned concern for my condition.
And what if my condition had been much more serious? Nobody knew initially. Their attitudes and inactions weren't simply inexcusable, but could have had serious consequences. I'm still absolutely dumbfounded at this place on the whole. To call it grossly unprofessional is the kindest thing I can think of - incompetent, callous, and cold-hearted are much closer to the mark, if not outright negligent. From an ER UNIT no less.
Long story short: if you're in the area, go elsewhere if you can. Or if you have serious medical concerns: MOVE.
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