St. Paul Hospital

My experience at St.Paul University Hospital in Dallas was exceptional. I felt that all the staff was knowledgable and eager to help me postoperatively to stay comfortable, and receive every medication and treatment ordered by my surgeon. Since St.Paul is a teaching hospital, I also had a resident, med students, etc, who visited twice daily and kept a close watch on me. My surgeon, Dr.Arsalla Islam, is the Assistant Professor of Surgery, Advanced Laparoscopic
Surgery, and General Surgery at UTSW Medical Center. Her resident, the very competent and personable Dr. Berger, assisted her. Both doctors earned my respect and sincere gratitude.

When I pushed my call light for assistance, it was answered promptly and courteously by a desk clerk. At times, I felt the hospital staff took a lot longer to respond, since they were always tied up in another room. One nurse told me they were understaffed that first night, by way of explanation
for taking so long to meet my request for assistance. All the hospital staff, nutrition services, housekeeping, respiratiory therapists, etc were very courteous and professional. Every person knocked every time they came to my room, and waited for a response from me before entering.

I feel that Dr.Islam is a very skilled surgeon, and I would recommend her to anyone wanting that professional care plus an excellent bedside manner. I want to be a participant (as opposed to the recipient ) of my healthcare. I feel the doctor was sensitive and receptive to my questions, and she always patiently took the time needed to listen to me, and respond very knowledgeably to my questions and concerns. She was open to my opinions and suggestions about my body and my care. She is warm, kind, caring, and I felt I received the best care possible in her capable hands.

Dr.Islam's office staff is also very knowledgeable and competent and organized. They each understand their job responsibliity and work together to make everything run smoothly. They are polite and patient in person and over the phone. The postop program, which I have not yet used, looks like they are going to be there for support and education and medical care. I have had to call and ask to speak with Dr.Islam after I came home, and they got her the message and she called back promptly and was very reassuring,and answered my questions and told me to be patient, that the problems I was experiencing were all transitional and it takes time, but everything would slowly start functioning properly.. I honestly cannot say enough positive things about her. I felt she really cares for me, and wants my success as much as I do, and will partner with me to meet that end.

It was great service would pick it again if I had to.

The floor nurses knew little to nothing about the bariatric diet or regulations. Dr. Watson said they had protocol, but evidently weren't using it.

My experience with St. Paul was very good. My only disappointments were a temp nurse who couldn't seem to figure out how to get my lights to turn off and a clerical mistake that delayed my barium test by hours. Other than that, I enjoyed the attention that I received at the hospital. Everyone was friendly and helpful.

When you walk into the hospital it is beautiful. But my experience was not with my nurse, she was excellent--just very busy. But I became very sick the day after surgery and my arm swelled up so big. After my 6th call for nurse, I wanted any nurse, believe me I have high tolerance with pain, I went back to work the following Monday after my surgery on Tuesday. Well my arm was huge from the needle not placed properly or may have gotten out of placed, but my complain is with the person answering the bell, she needs a little course in handling patients.

the staff was over worked, and they did not have enough staff to see after the patients. I was there for 3 days without a bath.

All of the staff was helpful, there were times when I think they could have answered the call button faster. But everyone was friendly.

Overall an excellent caring hospital