Arnot Ogden Medical Center (COE) Hospital
I had a nurse in the ICU that was very insensitive to me and even hurt me on a few occasions. I did not get my first sponge bath until the day I left the hospital on day four. It was like pulling teeth to get pain meds and nausea meds. I even had a hard time getting someone to help me in the restroom taking care of personal female needs. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
I was so impressed with everything. I stayed in ICU my first night and I wanted to call my dad (who because of his surgery is confined the our house)... they brought me a portable phone that for some reason didn't work... but they helped me up later and with 2 nurses on each side I made my way to a phone outside my room. The nurses on my floor for my regular room knew exactly what to do and when I couldn't wake up (pain pills... gotta love 'em) they acted quickly and I was fine. The radiology department was perfect. I think they finally got them memo to be nice! I was really tired and couldn't stay awake so they leaned the table back so I was half laying so that I wouldn't fall. Then when the Dr. came in to do the test they gently tilted me back up and I took 3 little sips of the stuff... looked at the doc and told him I couldn't do anymore. He quickly said that was ok and even took the cup so I wouldn't have to keep holding it! I was very very happy with the way they treated me. But, the most spectacular part was my anasthesiologist (no clue if I spelled that right). Putting an i.v. anywhere proved to be impossible by the staff. Dr. Breyman wasn't supposed to be the one taking care of me but because I had so many problems I think he was asked to take care of me. I am sooooo glad that it was him! He calmed me down in the "staging" area before we went into the O.R., then when he was unable to but an I.V. in as well they had to run a central line in my chest. I had had no relaxants and no pain stuff, this was my first surgery, and I am terrified of basically anything surgical but, I was so calm. His calm and skill kept me together and for that I will be forever greatful! It wasn't an easy time but with the staff I had, in all stages of my stay, I could not have asked for better care!!
Just a few comments:
1) It was absolutely ridiculous that they want patients to pay $4 a day to watch the television in the room. I just really had to laugh at that.
2) The people that made the food trays did a pretty good job at doing the clear liquids except for the juices. Instead of giving us 100% juice, they were giving 10% juice even though we kept trying to tell them.
3) The Radiology/Barium leak test department was *TERRIBLE* The doctor and the one woman was absolutely rude and condescending and if I could, I would have fired them myself. They had no consideration of me, nor any of the other bariatric patients that were having surgery/testing around that time. Beware of them.
Dr. Da'Tar, the anesthesiologist gave me an epidermal in my back which blocked my pain. I was told that I would not feel pain and they were right! I had some pressure and soreness but no real pain to speak of with the epidermal and the pain medication in my IV and oral medication every 4 hours my pain was managed very well. This elective major surgery went smoother than I could have ever expected. I really thought I would have to have endured more pain than I did.
I would recommend this hospital to any one for any reason. The nurses were great! I received excellent care and felt that they were genuinely concerned with my well-being. The only negative was the staff in the area where I had my leak test. They were rude. The doctor was very unprofessional. He pulled the screen across my stomach and caught my drains and pulled them and when I yelled, he was nasty. Perhaps he didn't realize how much it hurt!!!! Everyone else was wonderful!