Sat in the waiting room for approximately eight hours yesterday November 10. Never got to see a doctor I just left. Do not recommend this emergency room to anyone. The rest of the staff were wonderful. That includes triage nurse the nurses and the assistants helped everyone tremendously, but that didn't help us to get into see anyone sooner. read more

I did not see a doctor after four hours. They finally stuck me in a transport bed in the hallway. I walked out and so did several others. Not sure any doctors are on staff at this facility. read more

Recently went to the E/R at this hospital to be seen. I figured going to the emergency room I'd been seen faster. It was not crowded when I arrived about 10am. I registered and was checked in within 10mins. I was called back within 10 mins of that. It's obvious that this hospital does not have a big enough e/r department. There were hospital beds up and down the hallways which is where we were taken. For the next 6 hours, that was my room. The nurse came by 2 maybe three times to check on me. The doctor came within the first hour. She ordered some type of scan, which took all but 10 mins. The rest of the time I just laid in this bed in a hallway watching people walk back and forth all day. Hours later, the doctor returned and gave me my information. I was discharged within 40 mins. When I left the E/R waiting room was overflowing. Serious. There were no chairs and people were sitting on the floor or leaning against walls. They were in for a very long wait. Now I understand that hospitals and E/R rooms get busy. And you may have to wait. And there is no way to anticipate how many people will come thru the doors on any particular day. However, they have realized they don't have enough rooms nor beds to handle their needs. To solve the problem the hallways have become patient areas. Beds line the hallways end to end. If you are dealing with something that you consider private, forget it. You hear what the others around are there for. Basically everything the doctors and nurses say, you hear. Do not expect privacy if your put in the hallway. It's not a holding area until they get you in a private room in the E/R. If you're being admitted, you will be there until they get a room. I assume they see patients in the most need first. I was there a total of 7 hours in that hallway. My mom ended up there a week later, in the hallway, for over 10 hours. I honestly don't know if it would be any better anywhere else. What bothered me as I laid there and watched for that many hours is how many nurses walk back and forth all day. No one makes eye contact. They don't want to be asked questions. They werent stopping at any patients in the area I was in. Just back and forth. Not carrying or pushing anything. It did not appear they were understaffed. Perhaps they are with doctors. Just know that if you're going here to the E/R department with expectations of a short wait and privacy, chances are slim to none that's what you receive. Plan on spending a good portion of your day or night there waiting. read more

This was the second trip in two days. The day before we were seen right away. Today a whole different story, one I was compelled to write. I totally understand the rush Emergency Room people must feel in a busy day, morning, afternoon BUT sometimes you just have to wonder if they really give a "crap"about the people that come through the door. The receptionist was pleasant and took our information quickly. We didn't even sit and the unfriendly Triage Nurse came to get us. I think she maybe a very good nurse but her personally as a front contact person SUCKS!! We arrived at 9:30 am The waiting area at 10 am was a handful of people then around 11 when we finally got called into the ER it was full no seats at all people where sitting in wheel chairs. The ER resident was very friendly, helpful and answered all my questions and calmed my concerns. We were told that there are no beds in the hospital that everyone in ER is on hold. Every room was occupied. By the time we were released to go home they had filled both hall ways with parents treating them in the hallway. Busy hospital busy time of year - a lot of older people over 70 seating and waiting. Upmc East needs a big ER and another hospital wing. I am seriously considering changing health care insurance for another hospital. How do you know your getting the right kind of care with an over crowded hospital ? I really like the ER staff !! They did a good job considering. read more

Yesterday, October 18th, 2023 - from 3:38 pm until almost 9:00 pm - I wasted my time and worsened my already-bad medical condition(s) by ignoring the reviews of UPMC East's ER Department. I chose this particular ER due to its proximity to my place of residence and the fact that I had to drive myself there. I relocated back to Pittsburgh in 2021, after a hiatus of 15 years spent out West. Prior to 2007, I had lived in Pittsburgh and even worked for the School of Medicine at Pitt for many years. I can wholeheartedly say that it is absolutely appalling how any human being can be treated with so much disrespect in a hospital and given the circumstances. From the sour, brusque young girl at the reception, to the parade of medical "professionals" in the triage room and inside the ER itself, there was no eye contact with the patient, not an iota of compassion for someone who walks through those doors due to actual... emergencies, let alone a simple question of "are you doing OK?" when the wait turns out being so long. After I went through the brief intake and a... telehealth encounter with - I presume - a physician, I was told to take a seat inside the ER, right by the nurses' station - because I would be seen faster that way, given the intensity and nature of my pain. Throughout four plus hours, no one came to ask how I was doing or to update me on the waiting time. My increasing discomfort (I had been bedridden for almost two weeks prior to last evening's attempt to be evaluated by a medical professional) should have been a clear sign that, at least, I should not have been asked to sit for such a prolonged time. From the start I mentioned that my pain severity was a "10," and I experienced numbness in my lower limbs. Yet, they took me in and had me sit all those hours in a chair! When the pain became outright unbearable, I decided to simply take my things and leave. To confirm the lack of professionalism, when I informed the triage staff member that I was leaving, she could not care less. No questions asked, not even a trite "have a good night"! What a mockery, what a travesty in medical care and a total disregard for human suffering. As I write these line, I am flat on my back, weathering the pain throughout the night (with episodes of vomiting and having difficulty breathing), and waiting for the morning hours when I will go to a different ER - preferably unaffiliated with UPMC. One thing is crystal clear. All my former colleagues - who have not retired yet and are still working under UPMC's umbrella - will hear my story in full detail. Except for the respectful young man at the entrance to the hospital (coming from the ground-floor garage), a kind lady who offered me a blanket when she noticed my sitting in a fetal position on the chair, and the pleasant lady at the check-out desk outside the ER when I left, most of those "medical providers" within the UPMC East Emergency Department get a failing grade in my book. I know how busy they can be and are (my daughter is an RN and works in an ICU at a major hospital on the East Coast), but this is not an excuse. If I feel sorry for them is that they work for UPMC. However, that, too, is not an excuse for the way they treat (some of) their patients. UPMC did not have a stellar reputation even in the '80s and/or the '90s, but what I have come across in the two years since I have re-entered the system is beyond comprehension. What a disgrace!! read more

I could not go with my spouse to the ER. He got there 5:15 pm. They took blood work 6;25. Results back 7:53. It is Currently 9:54 pm. At 9:41 pm I called and they said he should be seen 30 minutes to an hour. He is a quiet polite man but That doesn't mean he should have to wait that long. His hand is infected and red lines going up arm. I am sick with cancer and couldn't go with him. read more

If you are in need of an emergency room don't come to UPMC East. The doctors apparently get to choose the people they want to treat not caring that you might actually have pain. I felt like the last kid being picked for the team. I wasn't on anybodys list. But I did find out I had a super power, it was invisibility. The staff puts you in the hall and walk right past you, they avoid eye contact nor ask how you are. They walk around with their computers. I waited 3 hours which doesn't seem like a long time but I was in pain and hurting. I am a retired nurse and I do not abuse ERs. Then I was told there is only one doctor for the night shift which didn't give me much hope of ever being seen. I left angry and still hurting. No one tried to stop me or offer help. I will not be paying a co pay. No one spoke to me ( other than the triage nurse) I did not see a doctor and no supplies were used on me. I see from past reviews and many months the situation hasn't changed. UPMC is a very prestigious organization. To bad read more

Was brought into UPMC East in an ambulance on 06/05, experiencing shortness of breath and confusion. I believe that because I had no chest pain, blood sugar levels were good, and my COPD was in control, the staff did not take me seriously. When the young lady came to have me sign papers, on one of the forms she had written in large letter: HAVE INSURANCE? I was so embarrassed, because although I have insurance, I cannot imagine what it must be like for those who do not and show up at this hospital to be treated like less than. They hook up the leads for the electrocardiogram, and that was it. After a nurse helped me to the bathroom, she had disappeared so I returned to the room 26 on shaky legs. No one showed up to hook me back up, and beginning to feel worse, after two hours I insisted my husband take me home. I got home, and ripped out the IV that was still in my arm. They had the nerve to put the results for the electrocardiogram in my records as if they did something for me. I am still feeling a bit off, but I'll only go to that hospital again if I go feet first and unconscious. read more

Most terrible emergency room experience ever. The doctor treated me as if I was an idiot (I have a degree in microbiology and an background in working in the medical field), and the nurse literally walked away from me in mid-conversation. The most rude, inconsiderate nurse and the worst bedside manner I've ever had in a doctor. I will never go back. I've also discovered that Dr. Jeremy Gilbert referred me to the wrong type of specialist. I'm being billed $400 for the privilege of being mocked by a UPMC physician. I'm editing this review to underscore how incompetent Dr. Jeremy Gilbert is. The problem I went for was that I couldn't open my jaw more than about 10-15mm. I ended up having surgery because the disc in my TM joint had slipped out of place and adhered to my cheek bone. No thanks to UPMC East. read more

This place sucks. It took 10 hours to get blood work, an xray, and an EKG just for them to misdiagnose me. The front desk people and the nurses are very disrespectful. The doctors are okay but you barely see them. In my opinion you're better off going to a different hopsital or an urgent care. You will get seen quicker and better service and much nicer people. read more

I am so grateful to this hospital. I won't lie I've had a few visits were doctors have been very rude and haven't even tried to understand. Had even waited 8 hours in the waiting room to finally see a doctor who did nothing but that barely ever happens. Sadly I am there often as I have quite a few medical issues. The nurses are amazing doctors in the ER and on the floor are incredible!!! I truely love you all. Thank you for all you do! read more

If I could give zero stars I would. The reviews here and on Google are exactly our experience at UPMC east. 14+ hour wait times, dismissive and rude doctors, no sanitizing of wait room chairs or atmosphere even as the waiting room (if it does) turns over. UPMC as an organization has been consistently taking a turn for the worse in recent years, made more obvious by our experiences at east. It's incredibly obvious that the entire organization is run by doctors and executives who consistently put profits over people and do not care about patient care or experience. Take a look at healthgrades.com reviews on Marc Eubanks, the Chief of emergency Medicine at this hellhole of an ED - that'll tell you everything you need to know. Arrogance, dismissive and condescending behavior, lack of empathy - these are NOT characteristics of a leader, and certainly not of one who should be leading a high volume ED in the years during a global pandemic. I understand burnout, I understand being understaffed - but there is zero excuse for patients to be treated as less than human by him, his staff, and this organization. Absolutely disgusted by UPMC and their quickly deteriorating "standard of care" across not just this ED, but regular well visits and scheduled appointments too. DISGUSTING. read more

I was sent to ER by my UPMC surgeon because of sharp pain in my lung area after surgery. The concern was a blood clot. All this information was presented at ER....3.5 hrs later they said it would take another 3-4 for CT scan. This is an example of the time frame with chest pain and a possible life threatening issue. Never again! Walked out went to another ER. read more

This would be a 5 star review if it weren't for the extremely rude treatment I received from the lady who registered me. I was coughing so bad I couldn't breathe and passing out, so I figured hey, it's time to go to the hospital. UPMC East is closest to me (though I generally go to Magee or St. Margaret), and I have UPMC insurance so I went. It was super clean, very secure (you go through a metal detector when you go in, which was weird but oddly comforting), I was moved to a room very quickly. As I was waiting the woman came in to register me- she was quite curt from the get-go, which I didn't understand, but assumed I was being over-sensitive. The doctor came in and asked questions, I waited a bit, got my diagnosis and a breathing treatment and I was on my way... but not before they came in for my copay. I asked if they'd bill me, as I ran out of the house without my checkbook or my wallet or really anything but a hoodie and a handkerchief, and she copped an attitude. "It's really due at time of service...." she said. She stood there. I apologized and said I understood but as this was an ER visit and I wasn't especially concerned with paying for the visit when I left the house struggling to breathe (and haven't ever had this problem before), I just forgot. She stood there about another half a minute just staring at me before storming off to get the paper, bringing it back, and leaving again in silence. When I walked out, the look she gave me cut so deep I should have turned around to get it sutured. While the medical treatment I received was awesome, I will probably suck it up and go to a slower hospital next time if I'm going to be treated like that. read more

I presented to the ER on Thursday evening with chest, back and stomach pain. I sat there for at least 25-30 minutes before my husband got up and told the receptionist that I was having chest pain and it was getting worse. With somewhat of an attitude she told him she would let the nurse know. I don't go to Forbes Hospital because they don't give chest pain a priority and now I feel the same way about UPMC East. After another 10 minutes the triage nurse came and got me and did a ekg immediately. She was very nice and professional and told me it looked good. I was sent back to the waiting room until they had a bed for me. Once I was in the back everyone was very nice. However I was sent home after 5 1/2 hours with no answers. I was never tested for Covid, they never looked in my throat. The next morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat. I went to Med Express where they did a throat culture and gave me a very strong antibiotic. I'm still not feeling well but I'm still on the antibiotic. I don't feel I should have had to be treated at another facility. Next time I'll just go to med express they were much more attentive. read more

Recent visit to ER for abdominal pain. Door to Doc time was less than 15 minutes. Triage and vitals done very quickly. Dr. Garg was kind and explained tests and diagnosis to me. RNs W and P were great. Down time/waste was minimal. Went on a Sunday evening, was in and out in less than 2 hours. read more

I was let to wait in the waiting room moaning in agony with abdominal pain , rated at a 12 for over 1 1/2 hours before taken back . Diagnosed with a perforated appendix and peritonitis. My surgeon dr shalaby was awesome. As were most of the other staff. Except on discharge day I was pretty much left to myself even when I stated I had severe nausea. I was given a green bag and left alone. I went in Wednesday shipped out Friday. The er triage girls pretty much suck for any compassion. The tech got annoyed when she couldn't read my temp and shoved the probe in til I gagged. Upmc you think you are great because you are a large group but that doesn't mean a thing. You are only after money and pay no taxes . If I was in Medicaid my treatment would have been better! I've witnessed that. I have premium network that I pay for , yet my spouse has to care for me at home and I'm better off. Once back in er I was taken care of , but might have died as a result of the idiots that are working check in and triage. Shame on you for professing to be the best most of your employees suck because your corporation makes them hate their jobs. This type of health care cannot be tolerated. You are too busy worried about all the Medicaid patients because you already receive my premium. read more