My review is about two HCA ERs (one being this one). The unresolved concerns with my medical records and how the situation has been handled have caused me significant stress, and my physicians have documented that stress has contributed to worsening mental and physical symptoms. I have been severely sick for nine months (I do not need this added stress) and have been informed that stress is believed to be contributing to my painful GI flares. I have a complex medical history and accurate medical records are important for my care. During 1st ER visit, I sought care for Flu B complications and dehydration. I was told I would not receive IV fluids due to a medical reason related to my history, yet I was offered a medication in a medication class I had previously been instructed to avoid, and the prescribing information contains warnings relevant to my medical history. I had fully disclosed my history to the PA and conflicting recommendations made me feel unsafe. The first time ever, I signed myself out, letting the PA know why. My husband was present the entire time. When I viewed my record in my portal, it stated I was offered 500cc of fluids, said they were not enough, and left. That line later no longer appeared in the portal. I could not locate an amendment, correction, or timestamp explaining the change. The remaining documentation states I was offered fluids and left because I was not receiving them fast enough. This does not align with my recollection or my husband's; we do not recall IV fluids being offered. The next day, I went to urgent care. Urgent care sent me to another HCA ER for dehydration after 3 attempts to obtain labs. I was taken straight back to a chair as urgent care had called. I do believe this was the worst ER experience I have ever had. A working IV was placed during the second attempt; however, no blood could be drawn from it. Despite the working IV and already being evaluated, I waited what felt like a significant amount of time without fluids until my husband advocated for me at the desk. The provider offered the same medication I had been offered the night before, and I again explained that I had been told to avoid that class of medications due to my medical history. I was given a muscle relaxer, but an hour later I remained in severe pain. A nurse told me she would get me something for pain, but when the PA returned, he said my only options were Tylenol, the medication I had explained I had been instructed to avoid, or nothing. I remained in significant pain. When my husband suggested I go home so I could lie down, the PA said I needed a second bag of fluids. I asked to speak with the supervising physician because I could not continue sitting upright in that pain. Only then was I offered pain medication. The medical record states that I eventually accepted the medication, which I understood to suggest that it had previously been offered and declined. That does not match my recollection of the interaction. An EKG performed during this visit came back abnormal. I was never informed and discovered it approximately four days later when I felt well enough to check my patient portal. I have a complex cardiac history, so this concerns me. My portal documentation does not mention the abnormal EKG or that no blood could be drawn from the working IV and that labs could only be obtained with a dry stick after my second bag of fluids. In my opinion, the documentation also does not accurately reflect the significant pain I was experiencing.
I have repeatedly contacted HCA management and administration, including the Ethics Line, Patient Advocate, hospital leadership, and corporate headquarters. I filed an ethics complaint after a month of trying to resolve this through hospital leadership. I received a letter confirming the complaint and a number for questions. I have called multiple times but have received no updates, only that I will receive a letter. Recently, I was told by headquarters that my calls were being routed to only one specific person, who also could not provide answers.
This experience has affected me seeking emergency care. On one occasion, I felt I needed emergency attention but was afraid to return to the nearest HCA ER because of concerns about documentation accuracy and prior treatment. I was too symptomatic to travel farther to a non-HCA ER. My concern is not simply a bad ER experience. I am seeking clarification regarding documentation that I believe does not accurately reflect portions of what occurred, including a line that previously appeared and later disappeared without an amendment or timestamp that I can see. Despite repeated calls, voicemails, and emails, I have received no meaningful answers or resolution. This continues to cause significant stress. Everything described here reflects my personal experience, recollection, and the documentation available to me. I hope to receive answers and a meaningful resolution so I can move forward and heal. read more