C Trey “TeddyTesla” Overall, the hospital does a decent job given its limitations. I’ve always been seen fairly quickly, and the staff is generally attentive and have some professional staff. However, the emergency department is outdated and can get overwhelmed at times, especially since there’s no urgent care nearby to handle less critical cases. While they do their best, the lack of updated facilities and options in the area does make it challenging during busy periods. For sure an option in a pinch, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
3 /5
A.E. Heckethorne I went in at the end of April with level 7-8 pain in my abdomen on the right side, just under my ribcage. Went through triage, got blood taken, was given IV fluids and then sent out to sit in the very full lobby, where my partner and I sat for the next 5 hours, and I was given zero pain relief. The pain intensified if I sat down, so I was standing pretty much the whole time, exhausted with how much pain I was in. They did take me back for an ultrasound at one point, and the general consensus was that the pain could be my gallbladder.
Eventually, I was taken back to a room, but was still not given any pain relief. We waited another 2 hours before a nurse came in and finally gave me morphine. By that time, I was in so much pain, the morphine didnt even work. A surgeon came in and palpated the area, which sent my pain levels through the roof, and I was screaming and writhing on the bed. They gave me more morphine, and it did nothing for the pain. The surgeon looked at my chart and said "youve been here for 7 hours like this??" Clearly he felt I should have received better care.
Eventually, I was prepped for emergency surgery, which even the surgery staff was appalled that I had been kept waiting for so long without pain relief. My gallbladder had begun rupturing, and was removed.
The only reason Im putting 3 stars is because Dr. Pharon, my surgeon, and his entire staff, and the nurses who looked after me post-surgery were absolutely amazing. Some of the nurses in the ER were nice, and were doing the best they could.
I place the blame mostly on the administration, and how they run the ER. There were people being seen before me for coughs or rashes, some folks looked like they didnt even have anything wrong with them, and yet I, who very clearly had something wrong with me, was made to wait in some kind of first-come-first-served nightmare.
If you need actual emergency care in a timely manner, cant afford an ambulance, and can survive the car ride, go to Vancouver.
3 /5
