I had a wonderful birthing experience here and could not imagine going anywhere else. It was near my house at the time with less than a 10 minute drive. When we were discharged from the hospital, I remember one of the nurses like walking me all the way to the car making sure I was like buckled in and they warmly said goodbye to me. Before doing so on my earlier part after the birth, the nurses would check on me. I had unlimited supply of water and round the clock assistance whenever I needed it, and they worked with my birthing Doula quite well during the actual birth. read more

Family member is in ICU and I called the nursing station for an update but nurse was on break and was told they'd call me back. IM OUT OF TOWN FOR WORK or I'd be there. Never got a call. Then saw they charted "Family at bedside/ POC updated and care of plan explained". I BEG YOUR PARDON. YEAH, SURE. read more

Update: A couple of weeks ago I had to goto the ER as I sliced through my ring finger nail. I just want to give a big shout out to Dr. Kim who set my nail and glued it back on.. I was so afraid it was going to look bad but it's healing beautifully and it just looks like a little jigsaw puzzle now! He had great bedside manner and really was the kindest. It's wonderful to still have doctors like him out there who are compassionate and likewise know what they're doing.! Thank you!!! read more

This review is about the EKG imaging. Fast check-in, on-time appointment, and simply done in a 1/2 hour read more

Recently utilized their services when I had an allergic reaction and my face got swollen; ED was quick and efficient--very impressed by their staff and MDs. I was recommended to stay overnight in the medical floor and staff was grossly overworked and understaffed. Don't get me wrong, everyone was kind, friendly, and accommodating; however, I waited nearly 12 hrs. in the medical. floor to see an ENT/dentist who never arrived. Such a shame because their ED was such a huge contrast (3-4 hr wait until they cleared my allergies and gave me meds). I actually left AMA and drove to a different hospital to get better care. read more

Our family had an extremely frustrating and upsetting experience trying to obtain my mother's biopsy results, on top of an already unacceptable hospital stay. My mother was hospitalized here from 2/25-3/1, where a CT scan showed stage 4 lung cancer. A lung biopsy was performed on 2/28 to determine the exact cancer type. When she was discharged to hospice care on 3/1, we were told the results would likely come after the weekend, early the following week. When we still hadn't heard anything, we began messaging and calling the oncologist through MyChart on 3/5, but none of our calls or messages were returned. On 3/9 we started calling more broadly to try to get answers. That's when we discovered the pathology report had actually been completed on 3/3. However, the hospitalist who received the results did not CC or route them to any of her other physicians. Because of that, even though other doctors in the system could see the report in the chart, we were repeatedly told they were not allowed to release it. We specifically asked if the on-call hospitalist could be contacted to release the results, and were told that was not possible. Instead, we were told the only way to obtain the report ourselves was to physically come back to the hospital and request hard copies. After our family had already spent five days at the hospital, it was incredibly frustrating to be told we needed to return in person just to obtain results that were already in the system. We were also told that patients are entitled to have a physician call and interpret biopsy results, yet no effort was made to arrange that or even find someone who could simply release the report online. In the end, the only way we were able to learn the results was by scheduling a last-minute video appointment with a random primary care doctor in the system and asking him to read the pathology report to us. My mother is currently on hospice, and our family spent days trying to track down critical biopsy results that had already been available since 3/3. We also contacted Patient Relations, who were unable to help resolve the situation. Hospitals are supposed to have backup coverage for communicating critical test results, especially after a patient is discharged. Instead, our family encountered a complete breakdown in communication and a system that seemed more focused on internal rules than on making sure patients and families receive critical medical information. Families dealing with devastating diagnoses should not have to chase down pathology results for days while calls go unanswered. I hope hospital leadership reviews this failure in their process so that other families are not put in the same position during an already traumatic time. read more

World class labor and delivery services. I love how caring and attentive all of the physicians and nurses are at this hospital. The rooms are always clean and the hospital values patient comfort as highest priority. Even the receptionist and scheduling clerks are so helpful and go above and beyond. read more

I birthed my first baby here and after nearly 24 hours of contractions, my water broke and we arrived to the ER/L&D dept around midnight. The care from check-in desk, security guard, nurses, delivery doctor, and also NICU nurses were amazing and comforting during such an emotional and special life event. The only downfalls were the triage nurse, who suggested I might need a C-Section because she's not sure if my son had turned yet (LOL could have kept that comment to yourself), we had food doordashed every meal (the hospitals meals were not pleasing aside from the jello) and the room we stayed in was extremely small and outdated. You would hope and think that with Berkeley's high property taxes and sales tax rate that they would invest in revamping this hospital. Overall, very pleased with our experience and would birth my next baby here if I still had the same insurance. read more

My dad experienced several ER visits at Summit Oakland, surgery at Alta Bates Berkeley and follow up appointments at local office. The service is good but some scheduling department is terrible. And automated system of billing office and pre-registration is annoying. He's 92 years old, with hearing problem and non English speaker. I handle all calls for appointments, answer questions without issues except the GI surgery scheduling department on 3/18/26. They never ask for my dad's concent before. Back in 7/16/25, my dad implant the temporary plastic bile duct stent, hospital stay from ER. Followed up appointment at Berkeley office on 8/26/25 for stent replacement. After visit summary: "Will call to schedule surgery appointment. (No phone number giving)" Few days later received a voice message with call back number. I called and scheduled 12/1/25, 2:15pm. (But I didn't save that number.) I started getting pre-registration automated message around 11/18/25. 11/20/25, after the oncolog visit, the doctor suggested to postpone the surgery for one month. So I search the phone number associated with 12/1/2025 surgery in MyHealthOnline app, which was not reachable. I drove to Alta Bates Berkeley ask for help. She gave me the surgery department phone number. I called but that's not for GI surgery scheduling. She told me to called the office, I explained to her that I don't have the correct number, she redirected for me. It's a voicemail box and I left the message. I also called Berkeley office (from Hospital discharge summary) as well. I got a call back and cancelled the surgery. Also she said next available is March 2026, so she put my dad in urgent request. After that, I never get a call for a new date. (Now I know why.) 12/18/25, the oncologist reviewed my dad's case. Since he is doing well, he suggested to wait till he has sign of blockage. I messaged back to Berkeley office and Dr Kurpath. After 7 months from stent implant, I returned to Berkeley office on 3/3/26 for stent removal. Same as phone conversation on 11/20/25, urgent request. Lots of details in after visit summary this time: "include phone number for scheduling department, if I don't get a call in 5 business days, I can call by the 6 business day." I was waiting but never get a call. Called on 3/16/26 at 11:20 am, wait too long after music playing. Leave a message, no one call back. Called on 3/17/26 around 10:30 am, same, leave message and no call back. 3/18/26, I get through the line but she refused to talk to me without my dad's authorization. It's my first time being asked for concent at Sutter Health facility, except pre-registration. Is the policy newly change or all my previous calls didn't follow the rules? Another scheduling issue with ultrasound at Summit Oakland during holiday season, last week of 2023 (12/26-29). The line was redirected to a voicemail box immediately (no ring tone) at all time for the whole week, never return the call. If you don't want to return the call, don't tell me to leave the message. I tried that number first week of 2024 (1/2/2024), it went through with the ringtone. Another GOOD experience to compare. My dad had an gallbladder IR external drain in March 2025. The follow up appointment on 5/1/2025. He's OK to have IR removal on 5/15/25 Summit Oakland, no time. (I'm not sure, I supposed to wait for a call.) The phone number on summary is the hospital front desk. I tried several times, but they can't redirect to the right department. I drove to the Summit Oakland for help. She bring to the radiation department. Unfortunately, the person who can schedule the appointment was not available. But she gave the direct line number to call. I can schedule the appointment time successfully on next day without any issue. This experience is OK to me. If you have a upcoming surgery, the automated pre-registration message is very annoying. It's difficult for my dad to complete it over the phone. If you don't complete, you will get the message daily. He will do it at the hospital on surgery day. Always received the bill and messages when pending for the secondary insurance. The system generated the bill to you after the first insurance. read more

My son was in a car accident. I took him to Alta Bates ER on Ashby Ave. We were treated with respect and kindness as we went through checking, scans, and checkout. The process was only 3 hours or so- much better than I have experienced before. We both felt he had excellent care. read more

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center both campus-Ashby & summit, mother was in & out ED, admitted 3times in 4 weeks. Beyond good experiences from ED guards, triage nurse, nurses /Physicians, lab tech, EKG tech, xray, CT teams, surgery, ICU, Dr Eric Lin,6 floor rooms, all nurses, ma, PT, OT, wound care, case managers, charge Nurses, room clean-Sharon, food services-Michael, all awesome wonderful & caring. ED clinicians were beyond professional, friendly detailed and caring, special thanks to Dr. Daniel Grunwald, Dr Michael Huynh Dr Starr. especially thanks to Dr Judith Cheng who save mom's life in the 1st place, Surgeon Dr. Merzlikin who done emergency surgery at midnight for mom, the surgical teams who saw mom after surgery, all so detailed & caring e.g. Dr.Grolman, DrMenut etc. Especially thanks to hospitalist Dr. Hsiao, Dr McAlister,Dr Huynh awesome Doctors. My only issues was the 1st floor surgery waiting area, without an information board to notify surgery patient status, as patient's family I felt it is very important for families to be able to learn their love one's surgery status. Yes, I 100% recommended both campus. read more

See all

I went as a walk-in to get an EKG done. I was in and out in around 30 minutes and my parking was free,with a validation from the front security desk. A great experience. read more

I spent approximately three hours in the emergency room with a bleeding hand before receiving assistance. While I understand the facility may be experiencing a high volume of patients, my hand was visibly bleeding and discolored. I arrived at 10 PM and was seen at 3 AM. Additionally, the security staff was speaking loudly in the waiting area, which was unsettling for those of us in distress. When I finally received care, the nurse removed the towel from my hand forcefully and applied pressure as if there were no injury. When I entered the part of the hospital where you get treated, I was greeted with the laughter of nurses. Wow this is what kept me here for 6 hours, thank you so much. I was left quite concerned about the level of care I received because the nurse didn't fully cover the cut with glue just partially, I could tell he was rushing. If you have an actually emergency don't even think about coming here. I'm so serious unless you have time to spare. read more

Simplemente con una labor excepcional, de equipo de doctores, anestesiologos, enfermeros, todo el equipo sin omitir a ninguno, son verdaderos profesionales... "Le salvaron la vida a mi pareja" dios los bendiga read more

It's dirty and staff don't listen to you just all around bad place my mother is elderly and in a lot of pain and the doctor was not gentle at all with her . She kept calling her honey instead of her name , like my mother was an idiot which she isn't the rn seeing my mom has been rude to me numerous times anytime I have asked questions she has been flippant and not friendly. My mom has dementia and they won't let anyone stay the night with her which is very upsetting . I'm am so mad at the people here . Truly a horrible place . read more

Came here for emergency services for my partners's appendicitis and was highly disappointed with the lack of communication and utterly long wait times. We were told by the urgent care doctor that the Walnut Creek ER has better and faster service. I wish we had listened and gone there instead. First off, there were 3 people in the waiting room. Yet it took 3 hrs to get a room. The security at the front desk wouldn't let me inside until my boyfriend had a room which was frustrating since I saw everyone else accompany their patient. I talked to a different nurse and he easily gave me access inside. Once in the room, there was lack of communication about what our options were. We were just transferred to a different room and constantly told to wait extremely long hours. Luckily we got the go ahead for surgery 7 hrs after arrival. Upon discharge, once again we had to wait around for 3 extra hours. They told us 1:30 for med pickup which turned to 4:30 and no one told us anything until I asked. Overall, the care was kind but the long wait and lack of communication makes me not want to come back. read more

My husband was hospitalized in the ICU at Alta Bates in February. Unfortunately, he had a massive bleeding stroke that was inoperable and there was no chance of recovery. Words cannot express how grateful our family is to the entire staff of Critical Care West. Until my husband's very last breath, they cared for him with dignity and respect. He was on life support for three days until family could arrive from overseas to say their final goodbyes. During those three days, the staff ensured my husband's and our family's comfort. Even though my husband was not responsive, whenever the staff needed to assess and care for him, they spoke directly to him to let him know what they were doing. We thank Dr. Ken Stern who was available to answer our questions and provide guidance. We are grateful for the care of the respiratory therapists and nurses, especially Aimee, who was assigned to care for my husband during his final hours. She went above and beyond by providing refreshments for our family, making sure there were enough chairs in the room, and asking if we needed anything. This was all in addition to continuing to attend to my husband. Saying goodbye to a dying loved one is never easy. The ICU staff's compassionate care allowed our family to feel comforted during the process. For this, we express our deepest appreciation. read more

went for a bad stomach infection a few days ago the staff and nurses were extremely nice thank you to Trey for helping me recover thank you to the other nurse as well with the redish hair kinda curly in a ponytail forgot her name but thanks to her as well read more

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus - Medical Centers Near Me - Berkeley, California

The nurses here do not give a shit about elderly and disabled people here. Patients are asked about Covid symptoms and tests right when we get into the ER waiting room, but none of their workers wore a mask, they let their staff come into work sick and coughing non-stop into the air. The specific worker who was sick and coughing laughed about getting an email informing them of Covid exposure and their coworkers (nurses) all laughed and said Covid was over and to get over it. Plenty of elderly and immunocompromised people (myself included) come here and we have to stay for hours in the same space where I did not see a single air purifier. I will never come here again because their staff clearly do not mind knowingly giving elderly and disabled people an infection that could kill us. On top of everything, the intake worker was unprofessional and spent more time asking clinically irrelevant questions about my disability and wheelchair use than what I actually came into the ER for (gas exposure.) from the ER beds, patients could hear the aforementioned nurses loudly gossiping about patients as if we weren't just on the other side of the curtain. If you search in the reviews you'll see other people saying the same for multiple years and the hospital always replying with the typical "sorry please call our entire hospital system's siloed patient relations department" messages. In case anyone reading this had a similar experience -- skip that and complain to the medical board instead because whatever they are doing in the hospital clearly did not influence this culture of allowing harm to vulnerable people. read more

I had my baby May 30th 2024 and let me start with saying thank you to all the nurses, Alex a nurse who was pregnant when caring for me and Katelyn caring for me postpartum. I went in for a induction which took almost 2 days for my baby to come since i had a previous caesarean section i was giving up on my VBAC this time around because the pain was unbearable but Alex talked me through it and pushed me to try and have my vaginal birth and so i did. All the nurses were supportive and kept me motivated. Would do it again at Alta Bates ! Give the nurses a raise they deserve it read more

See all

My patients over the years have always had great experiences here. From the E.R. to the floors upstairs the hospital seems very clean. There always seems to be someone close by to address any concerns that I have. The case managers are attentive and are quick to address any of my concerns. i will continue to send and refer my patients here. It is one of the few health care institutions that will put patients care first above all else. read more

I went to the ER a few years ago in excruciating abdominal pain. The ER was almost empty and incidentally, filthy. I waited 3 hours. I was seemingly ignored. When they called me back for bloodwork and to insert an IV-- much to my surprise--the person made a hash job of my hand, which bled all over the floor. When the technician finally stopped the bleeding, I was sent back into the waiting room with blood all over my hand (it never stopped hurting). In a world with Covid, I was shocked -- it felt like triage in a war zone (though the emergency room remained relatively empty). Later, when whoever was in charge wanted a urine sample, they sent me to the bathroom, and abandoned me. Afterward, still in pain, I was half-standing in the hallway, waiting for somebody to come, while holding my urine sample. Finally, I saw two medical staff come laughing through swinging double doors and I tentatively handed it to one of them, trying to explain that I had been left and did not know where to go or what to do with the sample. They looked at me like I was a microscopic irritant and said nothing to me. One of them took my urine sample, but tossed it randomly on a chair and kept walking and chatting. I finally found someone to take it, back in the room with my blood on the floor. Eventually, I was taken to a room which mercifully had a bathroom, which was incredibly important, but I was then ignored. They missed getting a stool sample because they weren't there. When I asked and someone finally put a sample collector in the toilet, it was apparently placed incorrectly and did not catch any stool. Meanwhile, a nurse brought me an IV but never plugged it in. Eventually, my assigned nurse arrived and I pointed to the IV and I explained about the stool collection problem. He was furious, exclaiming about incompetent staff. I was freezing and still in pain, so I asked for blankets. He did not bring me any blankets, and while he was finally hooking up my IV, he told me how much he hated his job, how he didn't want to be there at the hospital, that he wanted to be home with his family, and he hated me for being there. Yes, just like that--point blank. That nurse then ignored me completely, leaving without explanation. Eventually, I waved down another nurse to bring me blankets. No one told me what was going on. Hours later, I needed to call my brother who had dropped me off. There was no cell service, but I was told I could not use the phone at the nurses' station. Eventually, a different nurse took pity on me, and while I made my phone call to my brother, I turned around and saw the angry nurse (who had never come back to my room) and two security guards staring at me like I was committing the worst possible crime. Later again, with no explanation, I was taken for a CT scan of my abdominal area. When I got there, they asked me why I was still dressed.... Since no one was actually taking care of me, I had not been put in a hospital gown. Consequently, in front of three strange men, I had to take off my clothes and put on a hospital gown, all while lying on the gurney and once again freezing. Back in my room, (ironically, it was room 13) I waited. I never saw the assigned nurse again, and eventually, I was brought paperwork to sign, and told I could go home. Again, I was given no information except that I should see my gastroenterologist as soon as possible. Eventually, after being there for a total of nine hours, at 1 AM I called my brother to take me home. This used to be a good hospital.... But that was decades ago, and this was a nightmare. I would give this hospital a zero rating here if I could--I will avoid this ER at all costs in the future. To be fair, I should add that prior to Covid, I had an excellent experience in that same ER, but it was like a different place altogether. read more

I had an absolutely horrific experience with Dr. Rosenblum in the ER today, the kind that makes you question how someone like this is allowed to practice medicine--let alone in emergency care, where patients are at their most vulnerable. If you're looking for compassion, professionalism, or even the bare minimum of ethical medical care, look elsewhere. I went to the ER exhibiting clear concussion symptoms--foggy, slow, slurred speech--and was met with nothing but verbal abuse and outright medical negligence. Dr. Rosenblum explicitly told me multiple times that I "probably have a concussion," only to then turn around and refuse to actually diagnose it. When I questioned this bizarre contradiction, she escalated into outright hostility--berating and verbally attacking me rather than offering any kind of explanation, treatment, or options for care. To make matters worse, she seemed far more focused on moving quickly and maximizing billing than actually providing any kind of meaningful medical assistance. Not once did she discuss remedies, precautions, or next steps--nothing. It was clear that my well-being was the absolute lowest priority. The worst bedside manner I have ever encountered. Arrogant, dismissive, and actively cruel to a patient who was already struggling with confusion and neurological impairment. The kind of physician who makes ER visits not just awful, but downright dangerous. If you have a choice, do yourself a favor and stay far, far away. read more

I went to the ER after severe abdominal pain and a persistent fever which I suspected might have been appendicitis. Waited a total of 2 hours just to be seen. I had especially bad experiences with two nurses. One who drew my blood was unnecessarily cruel throughout, but especially when I disclosed my fear of needles pain. She yelled at me (there was no reason to do this), spun the needle around in a circular motion inside my arm - I ended up in tears, and she yelled at me in response. I've never had this experience (both the pain and the lack of professionalism) in my 20+ years of life dealing with nurses in my adulthood. If I ever found myself in the ER again (unwillingly), I'd ask to be transferred read more

thank you Alta Bates for saving my sister. She came to your ER via ambulance and your staff assessed her immediately and determined that she had to be put on a ventilator for pneumonia and taken to your ICU unit. With the help of your excellent staff in the ICU, including infectious disease staff, respiratory staff, nursing and your dedicated PA , she was assessed and treated for several serious infections. I am forever grateful that my sister survived and was treated with respect and care. She came home and is doing well. Thank you!! read more

This is just a review for the ER. For years, this was my family's go-to emergency room. Sadly we have various chronic conditions and we find ourselves in need of emergency care more often than I would like. However years ago, we decided to find a new ER. It wasn't a single bad experience. Obviously your experience in an ER will vary from visit to visit depending on the specific staff, how their days are going, the weather, and various other factors. But what we experienced was a pattern. I understand it's difficult to maintain empathy when you see so much suffering, but the level of apathy from the staff there is incredible. I'm writing this today because an ambulance took my wife to the Alta abated ER. I allowed myself to briefly hope that it had improved since the last time we visited, many years ago. The staff is not just disengaged, hollowly going through they motions, they are actively cruel. Oh you're in pain? Suck it up. You explain you have arthritis and your joints don't go a certain way? They'll try to force them. You want to leave? You can't. They won't explain your option to check yourself out AMA and they'll kick out your spouse when he dares to question them. Go somewhere else. Literally anywhere else. read more

Nothing like waking up from a medical procedure, unmasked (obviously because I needed anesthesia) , only to have an unmasked nurse hovering over you (after she had tended to who knows how many other unmasked patients, some who were coughing). I think patients should have the right to choose whether or not they are tended to by someone without a mask. It's a hospital, it's germ central. Covid is still a thing, and I imagine that surgical procedures compromise one's immune system even more. The rest of my team was great, but I should feel like my health and safety are a priority at a freaking hospital. In response to the reply to my review - the problem is that I wasn't given the option. The people tending to me before the procedure were masked. At no time was I made aware that exposure was a possibility, that I'd be tended to by someone unmasked, nor that I even had a say in the matter. I was incapacitated and awakened by several unmasked nurses. I was not given a choice. This should be addressed and asked of the patient BEFORE they're knocked out, and not while they're waking up from anesthesia, already exposed, no? Heaps of invasive questions are asked before the procedure - why can't a patient's preference be one of these questions? read more

A terrible place if you're being brought in for sexual assault. Came in for abdominal pain before being diagnosed with endometriosis. I was crying, in pain, and looked disheveled so some of the nurses mistook that for rape. How wonderful was it to overhear staff laughing about "the girl who had come in for abdominal pain" and more bursting out laughing. An older woman talking about "I'd never call 911 for that", several talks of slut shaming. Some more comments about "over emotional drunk girls", "look at those shorts" etc... you know how it goes. But at the HOSPITAL of all places? I was so shocked especially with how vocal they were being about it. Absolutely insane. Thank goodness that wasn't what I had come in for! Wouldn't that have been lovely? One of the male phlebotomists who drew my blood gave the longest blood draws I've ever had. Total weirdo. It lasted more than 10 minutes. I checked my phone. He gave me a cup for lab testing and did not return for 2 hours. When I finally flagged him down, he holds up my cup of waste up in the air while looking into the cup through the bag as I follow him across the ER floor and into an examination room. So a total of 4 hours there even though the ER was empty. No scans. No X-rays. Just waiting. Truly disgusting. It's 2023. Do better. read more

Refused to treat my husband for his broken bones that required surgery and head injury after an accident. Sent him to his primary care doctor. I was with him the entire time and every person there from the security guard to the intake person to the doctor was unbelievably rude and dismissive. Truly heartless. read more

Never go to the ER here. You're better off literally anywhere else in California. You will NOT get help, you are likely to get "treatment" that will make you worse. My treatment was so bad, another patient actually started taking video of me and yelled at the nurses that it was outrageous anyone would be treated like this. read more

Currently in the midst of receiving the worst medical care in the history of poor medical care. Been a member of this health organization for a total of 8 days. I had no idea that coming here was going to be such a terrible experience. Or that nobody had any interest in talking about that is going on. Oh and fun fact. If you're waiting outside the ER on the sidewalk for three hours because they don't have an Er room available yet and ask to use the restroom they helpfully point out that Whole Foods just there blocks away has a restroom you can use. Apparently there isn't one available here on campus. I can't wait to get the "how did we do" patient experience report. Is it too late to go back to Kaiser? read more

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus - Medical Centers Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is horrific. From the homeless in the parking lot to the front desk "security" staff - to the this one particular nurse in emergency who was threatening people and yelling at emergency patients.. I have never experienced or been in such a hostile environment as it relates to health care. The lack of professionalism, compassion and understanding really blew my mind. Thankfully, there were some kind, skilled care professionals who showed up to do their job. God only knows what they go through on a day to day. Things got better once the regular staff arrived and began to rotate shifts, but wow.. just overall shocked at how this hospital is still open and operating. A pure mess. And to those doctors and nurses who really did an amazing job amidst the chaos, THANK YOU. read more

Sad to say, but nobody cares! Horrible staff, super unprofessional/unethical. Definitely violating HIPAA laws. Total lack of empathy for their patients. Avoid this hospital at all costs! Waited over 4+hrs walked out with my IV after noticing the malpractice, they do here. Oh, and don't even think for a second you complaining to so-called hire management will make a difference/hold their staff accountable because they will be quick to dismiss/give you the 1800 number. Shockingly Highland Hospital turned out to be a better place! read more

I drove myself to the ER after I sent months in and out of John Muir ER. Coming here was my last hope and highly recommended by a dear friend and my dad. From the moment I arrived, I received top care. The triage nurse Justine embraced me, listened to me, and worked diligently to get me checked in, ordered labs, and put me on the list for a room. Dr. Fields was a Rockstar. She ordered my imaging and was able to diagnose my problem immediately. John Muir and Martinez Regional Medical Center would have just gotten me out of their hair. She offered me pain meds and started m with fluids and other things my body needed. She sent me home with two medications so I could get better. I am happy to report I am feeling better and hopeful of a speedy recovery. I am thankful for the RN Anthony who showed compassion and went above and beyond the call of duty to help me. All of the medical staff are highly trained and stand by their hospital covenantal, showing empathy and providing top quality care. Thank you from the bottom of my little heart. read more

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus - Medical Centers Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I went there for emergency treatment during Covid. Many of the staff at the nursing station were neither wearing masks nor social distancing - in contradiction to medically mandated rules. Besides that, this place is consistently a bureaucratic nightmare, whether it involves scheduling, getting instructions for medical care, or bill paying. Things are very chaotic. And the patient's needs seem not be part of anything they care about. read more

For labor and delivery, this place is decidedly mid. It's tough because if you want to use an OBGYN in the east bay, odds are they deliver here. My wife delivered both our children here. Our first was very rough and the various staff ranged from helpful to helpless. Years later we are still getting phantom bills for this procedure that we've already payed. Recovery rooms are trash. Small and dingy. Nurses are visibly understaffed. The whole hospital is in desperate need of renovation. In a world where UCSF and Stanford are putting up brand new hospitals, why has sutter health left this facility to languish? They built that fancy new hospital in SF but seem to have forgotten this place. read more

Update: I did in fact email Alta Bates, however it went unanswered. I've sent another email hopefully to be responded to. read more

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus - My last response to the social team at Alta Bates that went unanswered. - Medical Centers Near Me - Berkeley, California

I never thought I would be writing a review for a hospital. My 93 year old mother made several visits to Alta Bates Emergency room in late 2021. She was always treated with respect and well taken care of. Each time she was transferred to the Critical Care Unit for several days. My siblings and I were very impressed with how polite the nurses and orderly's were throughout my mothers stays. The doctors were not alway as polite and courteous but the nurses made up for them. My siblings and I were very impressed by the empathy and caring nature of the many nurses at Alta Bates. Nurses frequently checked on our mother and always checked on us and asked about our well being as well, which was always very much appreciated. read more

Stay away from this place. This review is for the Emergency Department. I had to urgently go there for some abnormal chest pain I never had before. I arrived at midnight and they made me wait 7 hours, yes, 7 hours in the waiting room with homeless people. Because of COVID, my wife was not allowed to enter in the building with me, she waited 7 hours in her car in front of the hospital. When finally it was my turn, they brought me to a small room and gave me a bed, it was freezing cold. Then I had to wait another 20 minutes to have the nurse checking on me. After they did some blood test and some exam, the doctor came back to me and told me I had nothing and that here they are only treating emergency cases. He had a tone that made me feel bad, like I made them lose their time. The only thing that worked out pretty well is the fancy printed bill I received by mail 14 days after. $8,595 for 1 hour in their filthy emergency room, one blood test, one xRay, one electrocardiogram and no medication. What a great business to be in! Going to the hospital is like getting a slap in your face to remind you how broken this country is. Next time, I'll buy myself a first class ticket for the same price and be treated for free in Europe in a much more decent place and with competent professionals. read more

I'm sticking to my 5 star rating because I've had an operation now and received such stellar care it's worth crowing about. I wasn't expecting to leave this world without all of my parts, but my appendix decided otherwise. And a rather hasty decision it was, too. I felt a strange, strong pain in my lower right abdomen one night right before bed and asked my husband, "What's down here?" not wanting to really know, but he answered. After a consultation with an advice nurse and then being scared because we didn't know what hospital our insurance would cover (we're not emergency savvy here) I decided that if I made it through the night I'd go get examined by my doctor and if I had to go to the hospital, they would direct me to the right one. As it was, the pain subsided quite a bit and I drove myself to the doctors office. Who then told me to go to emergency. Fortunately the hospital was literally down the street. Now by the time I did arrive and find parking, I was feeling pretty poorly again. Emergency staff were great. Triage was pretty quick and very efficient. The absolutely best phlebotomist works there. He inserted the IV in nothing flat and ZERO pain! Waited what seemed like forever for the CT scan, so I got up, found a nurse behind a desk and asked if she knew when I was due for my CT. She found the ER nurse. I was told I'd been seen soon, but the 1st nurse (who left her post to help me) told me she'd find out. She came back to me in a couple of minutes and told me it would be 10 minutes and I'd be taken to get my CT. So thank you nurse who actually was helpful and cared enough to ease my anxiety. In 10 minutes I was taken to CT. They injected me with Iodine (? I wasn't feeling well and it may have been something else). This was weird in that it was cold in my hand and the rest of my body became very warm. Almost comforting warm. So I didn't mind. Then back to waiting and soon I had an ER room. I met a couple of more people but the one that really stands out is my surgeon. This man loves his job. Happy, caring, answered all my questions and he asked a bunch. He was thrilled to let me know that I was going to be able to have surgery in 1/2 hour! He explained the procedure which seemed a little strange to me so I asked if he would video it for me. No, can't give you a video. So he gave me pictures! Awesome! A souvenir! I've been sharing it with anyone who wants to look! I was wheeled downstairs, prepped and wheeled into the operating room. One minute I was awake and the next people are loudly telling me to wake up. One really nice thing they have, if you get chilly they will lay a Bear Hug on you. This thing is seriously ingenious. Recovery folks were super nice and allowed me to ramble on so I could wake up. It wasn't long before I was in my room and given a turkey sandwich for dinner. I was hungry. A walk around my units perimeter and then time for bed. Discharged the next morning. Breakfast sucked big time. I'm not too fussy, but this was really, really bad. Lunch was better, but not by much. That's my only complaint. The food. Otherwise, Alta Bates holds strong on the creature comforts, reducing anxiety and making sure you're well taken care of. I would highly recommend Alta Bates Berkeley to anyone in need. And take out. read more

See all