*****We both felt VIOLATED and will NEVER return. STAY AWAY!*****
Update 2: Received a copy of my husband's medical records. They gave him a drug they NEVER discussed with us! No prior mention, and wasn't even listed in discharge papers! Completely irresponsible and DANGEROUS! And turns out they signed forms saying my husband had been informed of risks and alternatives to medications used. THAT'S A LIE! I was there--these discussions NEVER happened.
Update: *****WE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT PATIENT RIGHTS AND SAFETY. WE BOTH FELT VIOLATED.***** All I received is the inadequate Google review reply you see below that falls short of guaranteeing the necessary changes WILL be made to protect other patients and their loved ones. I also feel it doesn't show sincere concern for what we experienced. They can review processes all they want, but it can't change how we were treated. If they were truly committed to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, I would think better processes would have been put in place years ago so that some of what we experienced would not have even been possible. To say I'm not impressed with this response is an understatement, but it doesn't surprise me in the least. Also, I don't feel like our feedback was initially taken very seriously at all--our concerns were dismissed at first.
Original:
My husband requested I be at his side immediately after his procedure. I had to ask the front desk three times to be escorted back to my husband after they sent a text notification stating he was in recovery. It felt like they were holding him hostage.
I felt like my insistence at honoring my husband's wishes was treated as an annoyance. Maybe they made me wait longer out of spite (I did ask nicely, in case anyone is wondering)? Maybe they didn't feel any urgency? Maybe they didn't care and thought of me as his annoying little wife?
About 25 minutes elapsed between the completion of the procedure and being reunited with my husband. No medical or safety reasons were ever provided for the extended delay.
Unethical. Unconscionable.
Just because they do these things every day doesn't mean their patients do.
It certainly doesn't mean their loved ones are not worried for them.
As my husband's partner and advocate, I should not have to fight anyone for access to him once he is out of a procedure room (in recovery as the text message told me). I should not feel a sense of panic because I am not there for him, as he himself asked of me.
And I should absolutely be treated with more respect than being asked to have private conversations over the phone in a waiting room, trying to *not* miss the nurse who should have taken me back to him right away. And yes, I stated early in those conversations that I was indeed in the waiting room, and it didn't seem to matter one bit, especially to the doctor.
I did not feel respected as my husband's health advocate or partner, and that is unacceptable.
Edit: My husband is on the phone with the administrator. We are getting what I feel are the standard excuses. There is no excuse for the way we were treated, at least not from my point of view. Obviously, they feel like they were in the right, and I don't agree.
*****There were other concerns I don't feel are appropriate to post, but they were in regards to patient rights.*****
This was a terrible experience I hope no one else has to go through. I feel angry, frustrated, and helpless.
Please consider a different surgery center because I know from personal experience that this could have gone a lot smoother. My expectations were clearly set higher than I should have expected from this facility because I've had a much more positive and patient-centered experience at another center in Austin. You absolutely have a choice, and I encourage you to exercise that right and find a place that may not leave you feeling the way I do right now.
The damage is done! read more