Question:
Would you still use the surgeon even if you didn't like the hospital he use
The surgeon of my choice is Dr Daniel Smith here in Atlanta problem he only use emory hospital which I heard is not a good facilty. How can I get around this problem — shae7755 (posted on July 30, 2003)
July 30, 2003
I am having my surgery in 6 days on August 6th. My surgery is at a hospital
that is in a real bad area in Phoenix, and things go on outside the
hospital like gun shootings, the hospital is okay on the inside, not the
cleanest in the world. My husband works at a hospital in Scottsdale that
is so nice, and clean, but that is not were my surgeon is that takes my
insurance. I feel so confident with my surgeon's skills, and I know that he
is the best surgeon for me, so for the two or three days that I have to
stay at the hospital, I can make the best of it. My husband will be with
me, to help me incase the nurses are very busy. Also, to make sure that I
am treated the best possible. I would give you that advise also, to have
someone with you for the stay, just incase.
— cindy
July 30, 2003
Yes. I did just that. My surgeon was wonderful but the hospital he uses
is just awful. My hospital stay was an absolute nightmare, but I have had
no complications and have recovered quickly thanks to having such a
talented surgeon.
— Jennifer H.
July 30, 2003
It would depend highly on why I didn't care for the facility. If it were
understaffed, but they maintained a high standard of cleanliness, etc. then
I'd just make sure I had someone there to "help" the nurses care
for me. If it's location is undesirable, that can be tolerated. If however
you know that healthcare has been compromised, they have a high infection
risk rate, the rooms are not kept clean, meds get mixed up, etc. then I'd
be looking for a different doctor (regardless of how good he/she were). I
had adequate care; they were tops on medicine, cleanliness and the things
that mattered. My hubby was there to fluff my pillows, unplug my tubes so
I could go walking, and help me in and out of bed (and chase nurses down
for pain killers when I was "forgotten"). Evaluate the topic
carefully and decide WHY Emory isn't a <i>good</i> facility.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 30, 2003
I think it depends on what is undesirable about the hospital...If it was in
a bad location then I don't think I would mind.However if they have bad
nursing care and patients aren't being treated well then I think I would
question why this surgeon who is supposed to be so great, is doing his
surgery's at a hospital where his patients aren't being treated well.
— jennifer A.
July 30, 2003
Make sure what you "heard" is true. I was very please with my
hospital, but if you look up the comments on this site, there were others
who thought it was bad.
— faybay
July 31, 2003
I had heard horrible things about the hospital my dr, Dr Terry Simpson,
uses. I am happy to say everything I heard was wrong. I had wonderful
nurses, it was clean and I was very pleased. I trusted my dr and knew if he
thought the facility was good, then I would go with it. Turns out the bad
stuff I heard was from years ago when it was owned by a different company.
Good Luck!
— Stephanie B.
July 31, 2003
Are there really any good hospital's out there? I heard terrible things
about my Dr's hospital, and when I stayed there, my stay was great. During
a thyroid surgery a year ago I stayed at another hospital which was
considered top notch, and it was horrible. My mom and sister are nurses,
their advice is to check the staffing levels at the hospital. You can have
the best equipment and rooms in the world, but if you don't have staff they
are useless.
— M B.
July 31, 2003
How "awful" a facility is can depend on one person's experience.
I remember hearing in a customer service class that a person who is unhappy
with service will tell at least 13 people, but people who are happy with it
only tell 2 other people. If someone had a family member who was very ill,
or died in a facility, they like to blame someone or some place, for any
"perceived" mistakes or lack in care. My advice would be to see
if the facility is certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Hospitals. That means they meet certain standards of care. A lot will also
depend on your expectations. For example, do you expect a nurse or aide to
appear as soon as you turn on your call light? Chances are you will be
disapointed that you may have to wait a few minutes, and thus will think
"they were right - this place is as bad as I have heard". Other
posters are right - staffing can be a problem, but in my experience, nurses
have stood their ground about unsafe staffing, and hospitals have been
known to shut down beds if there are not enough nurses available to care
for the patients. (Our locals hospitals have gone on diversion several
times - not enough nurses in the hospital so ER patients have to be taken
to another hospital. I have a nurse/friend who works in a major hospital
who told me they went on diversion once because 3 nurses called off on a
night shift (on three different floors) in the hospital, even thought the
ER was staffed.)My point is, go there with an open mind and see for
yourself how it is. You may be surprised.
— koogy
July 31, 2003
My Dad has been in the same hospital several times and has had vastly
different experiences depending on the floor and the RNs. One experience
was just awful, and one was outstanding. Sooooo, you just never know. If
possible, arrange to have someone stay with you so you can get the help you
need. My dh stayed with me so I didn't have to depend on the overworked
staff.
— mom2jtx3
July 31, 2003
When I started my journey, about 90% of the people in my support group went
to one surgeon and highly recommended him.... Unfortunately he worked at a
hospital where I myself had in the past had a horrible experiece at...There
was no way in H#$% I was going there by choice, so while it took me a lot
longer to get into another respected surgeon, it was well worth it to me to
go to a better hospital!
— Kelly B.
August 3, 2003
I loved my surgeon and hated his hospital. If I had to go back, I would
chose the same surgeon. However, I would have my hubby stay with me 24
hrs/day. That would take care of the terrible hospital care in the regular
wards there. I think a great surgeon is worth a lot. That being said,
could you ask your surgeon about why he only works at Emory and what his
experiences have been at the hospital? Do you have a second-choice surgeon
that you would be satisfied with that operates at a better hospital?
— Kathy J.
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