Had the worst Christmas Eve ever but Dr. Coco was incredible. Kind, compassionate, attentive. The young blonde ER nurse with the jingle bell earrings was so friendly and stayed in the room to chat with me. THANK YOU read more

Found out January 1 2026 they will no longer be part of Humana Network and not taking insurance from people with Humana. UNC owns most doctors in the area and there forcing people the get new insurance. This is a disgrace to the elderly population who has supported them for years. putting profit over people life not good business UNC. read more

I need a zero star. They left my daughter sitting in the waiting room in a wheelchair having chest pain, light headed feeling like she was going pass out and short of breathe for 3 hours while they took in everyone. We left went to another ER where they had a team of 6 waiting in a bay for them to get her back there. Within minutes, she had bloodwork, X-ray, iv fluids, ekg that revealed issues wit heart beat. WMC never had to worry about see any of us ever again. read more

Do not bother going to this ER. They have been terrible to my daughter (who has a chronic illness). Worst experience we have ever had....all 5 times she went. read more

In my experience, the hospital has been a good hospital and efficient while providing quality care. However, I have had an extremely frustrating experience recently. I was scheduled for a test. I paid my bill in advance and fasted accordingly. I drove 45 minutes and waited at the Hospital registration check-in for an hour to be told the testing machine I needed I was broken. Needless to say, I was frustrated as I should have been called to tell me my appointment had to be changed. However, this morning I received a new bill stating I owed for my test that I never took and paid for in advance. Upon calling the hospital I was transferred to multiple departments with no one either to help me or available. This is ridiculous! I am going to back to Canon Hospital in Newland even though the drive is longer. It is well worth competent customer service. read more

What a poorly managed emergency center. 4 hours of waiting and no one could give me an update as when they would be able to see me. The reception was useles. Starting feeling worse because I couldn't take additional meds. Had to walk out. Poorest managed center ever. Could you imagine if you really had a critical emergency. read more

nurse neglected to plug oxygen up after patient was returned to the room. called for pain meds and steroids and caught the nurse in the hallway and was blown off and ignored. shit hospital... read more

Ok, call me crazy. Maybe I need a doctor. I thought I walked into the wrong building when I went into the new main entrance of WMC. The moment I stepped in and stopped to get my bearings, a nicely dressed lady with a smile on her face asked me if she can help me. That has never happened before. Helped me she did! The process has changed tremendously! It has gone from lackadaisical service to "What, it is that easy?" "Did you miss something?" "We are finished?" Night and day changes! read more

Best hospital experience I've ever had! Trust me when I say, I'd you have a kidney stone you have no time to wait, neither the patience. I had amazing service and didn't even have to wait. read more

Sherry, RN of 40 years, needs to work on her bedside manner. Condescending and just rude. MD's were fabulous and actually know how to communicate with another human being and make them feel understood. read more

After surgery when I was allowed food on normal diet it was awful. No rhyme or reason for there mixed choices but it seemed as if they just put the first thing on the plate they could find. It was not edible and this happened with all meals. unacceptable for a hospital who's only concern is making money. read more

I have never experienced worse hospital protocol in my life. Visits were severely limited to 1 hour a day with only one person getting to see my husband. On weekends there were no visits at all and getting an update on his condition was sporadic & frustrating. Often times no one answered the switchboards, and you spent several tries throughout the day trying to reach someone. The doctors never called to update me. Though my husband may have experienced a few kind and compassionate nurses, for the most part I found them to be without empathy or compassion. and at times outright rude. They rotated three different doctors who tended to him and not one has called to express his condolences. I would never ever recommend this abhorrent hospital and found it to be almost barbaric and medieval and most certainly backwards. To those rare few who were compassionate and kind, I say thank you. To the rest I just shake my head and wonder how they remain in a profession where compassion and kindness should be tantamount but within them its severely lacking. Horrible place. read more

A family member of mine was recently cared for in the ED while seeking treatment for alcoholism. While the crisis team was superb, attentive and timely, the nursing staff left something to be desired. It took a long time to convince him that there was help if he asked for it, and that he would not suffer unduly during withdrawal if he sought medical care to detox. The first nurse he came in contact with stated "We'll help you some with the withdrawals, but you're going to have to suffer a little bit, or it won't stick." This was the first alarm bell for me. I understand that there is a stigma attached to addiction, and that caring for patients with addiction issues can be very taxing and there is some amount of compassion fatigue. But surely, in this day and age, the understanding is widely known that addiction is a physical illness, and not something to be punished, especially in a place where patients should be able to trust the people who are providing care, where they come for help while in crisis. Addicts should be treated with as much respect as someone with another more "acceptable" illness, and offered timely symptom management, no matter the cause. I did not find that timely symptom management was provided. As I witnessed the progression of his withdrawal, as he started to tremor so badly that he couldn't hold a cup of water, and started to hallucinate, and as I called the nurse in for the 3rd time with concerns that he was obviously getting more symptomatic, and had been treated minimially with oral medications, she was not open to hearing my concerns. She stated, "Because his vital signs haven't been affected, he does not qualify for more medication." She stated that she had scored him only moderately on the CIWA scale (which I found interesting, given she hadn't actually conducted a full CiWA scale assessment on her shift, or a physical assessment for that matter) and that he simply did not qualify for additional intervention. As I watch my gentle and kind and sick family member tremor and shift endlessly in the tiny ER stretcher, hallucinate shadowy figures, and complain of a severe headache, develop nausea and diarrhea, he did not "qualify for additional medication." It's as if he would have to become medically unstable, or mentally incompetent, to qualify for more frequent assessment and increased medication intervals. We were not looking for him to get high, certainly not, nor were we expecting a luxury stay. We came with the understanding that he'd probably be in a very basic ER room, possibly for several days, attached to continuous monitors and treated appropriately and safely for his withdrawal symptoms. His night was truly miserable, and I know that a lot of that suffering could have been mitigated. Perhaps you can tell, but I have some healthcare experience of my own, so I was watching closely. The only time this nurse touched him was to give him an injection of medication 1.5 hours after my third attempt to get her to escalate his care, 7 hours into her shift. And while she did intermittently ask about his symptoms, there was infrequent and certainly not thorough assessment of his condition or needs. Yes, his vital signs remained stable, and for that I am grateful. I shudder to think of what other patients experience without someone to advocate for them. The nurse that cared for him prior to his discharge was fantastic (1 of the 3 that he encountered during his stay). They actually assessed him, administered medication appropriately, and facilitated discharge quickly and safely. Overall, it was not a favorable experience, and I hope that this review can help someone else, should they need similar care. read more

Worst ED experience ever. Tiny waiting area with two check-in "bays" that are merely a tall counter with some thick glass. Everyone's information is shouted due to the glass partition and the hospital representative sitting well below the level of those checking in, who must stand- in an ED wheee patients see in need of emergency care. Private information and reason for visit are broadcast for all to hear. Regardless of ED traffic or capacity, patients who are waiting are also here for an emergency medical need and just as important as those brought in on a bus. Expecting them to get up multiple times only to return to the small waiting area with others who are injured and sick is poor practice. I had to go back first for an EKG in a room whose gurney had a sheet that had probably been used by multiple patients. I was offered no assistance in laying down or getting up. In tears from pain, I was then told to walk to another room where an unpleasant employee took my vitals. She was less than gentle and had the attitude of not wanting to be at work. I was then taken back to the waiting area. Next, after waiting for quite some time, I was taken back for lab work and told I would be called back soon. Again, I had to return to the waiting area. Then, I was called back after another lengthy wait to do a chest x-ray in the hallway just inside the doors leading back to the waiting room!! I had to sit in a random chair beside a bathroom and had to remove any items with metal in the bathroom. Only a tiny napkin sized drape was placed in my lap where I held my belongings as I didn't want to place them on a filthy floor. After putting the items I had to remove back on, I was taken back to the waiting area where I waited for an incredible length of time watching people go in and out of the ED with refreshments and meals. This was an absolute disappointment and makes me quite hesitant of any type of procedure being done at Watauga Medical Center. Their last of cleanliness, professionalism, and patient care is some of the worst I've ever experienced. read more

Watauga Medical Center is excellent! I had a total knee replacement almost a year ago. I received exceptional care during every part of my hospital stay, my surgery and throughout my healing process from App Ortho, Watauga Medical Center, CenterWell Home Health and Shuster Physical Therapy. Thank you Dr. Steven Anderson, Karen, Skyler, Rebekah, Dr. Nguyen, Ken, Kevin, Allan, Kelsey, Christie, Kayla, Donovan, Brie, Debbie, Lauren, Timothy, Isabel, Jack, Juanita, Jennifer, Emily, Carol, Haley, Susan, Dr. Que, Patrick, Jaclyn, Carrie, Kelsey, Dianne, Robin, Nupoor, Dan, Bob, and Nick. read more

My bf , came to the Er for mouth pain and they basically told him to stop smoking and get his teeth fixed . ( like everyone has the money for that) they first question they asked him before they asked why he was here was if he had a job ??? I have worked and been to may hospital and I have never seen a hospital have staff that just put their patient's down. Most I'm professional health care facility I have have been to. Needless to say I would never check my self in to this place willingly. read more

Can I give zero stars? Drive to next town, you will get faster service, even if you have to drive an hour away. Reception staff was rude and "cannot give you that information " before I asked the question. Was left in waiting room for 2 hours after x-rays done. Go somewhere else if you value service, if you are a sadist, this is your place! read more

Be very careful if you go here. They miss bone fractures on xrays. Then you have your home ortho service look them and they are very obvious. They also will not send you a bill at all, but immediately just turn it into a collection agency even though you have been calling asking for the bill. read more

Fell in hall in doorway landing. severe trauma to knees, one with total knee replacement. Hit jaw trying to stop the fall. Sat in the hallway for 1 hour. Told treatment was not allowed because I did not go th ER. cried. Called administration who hung up. ER DR. gave me medicine that lasts 3 hour. No pain medicine after discharged. No support whatever. read more

This hospital has 2 bathrooms that are ADA APPROVED. Very inconvenient for patients who are in wheel chair. Violation of ADA . HOSPITAL remark "grandfathered" so no attention to follow the mandates. X3 ADA HAS NO exception! Oh, the new "wing" will have all bathrooms for wheelchair. what happens now? Bring a bedpan. The ADA with the Department of Justice were told of this violation. read more

I have had four experiences with the Watuga Hospital Emergency Room. All bad. First time, I brought my daughter for a UTI which she has a history of. They wanted to scan her head! WRONG END!!! Second time, I was brought in by ambulance with no pulse in my right leg. Neither by the groin, behind the knee, ankle or my foot. My whole leg was ice cold. My right foot was a purple gray. The x ray department doesn't have anyone who knows more than how to take X-rays. A Doppler is a common ultrasound procedure to hear a faint pulse that can't be felt or heard through a stethoscope. They have nobody there nights who is ultrasound qualified. Heaven forbid a pregnant woman gets in a car accident at night, they don't offer ultrasound to check the fetus. They sent me home with a purple gray ice cold limb. I was told to return in the morning to x ray for an ultrasound of my arteries in my legs. So I returned. Now I'm a transgender woman. Legally female for years now and living the same. I report to the emergency room intake as told. The jerk taking my information felt the need to question my legal gender. I asked for a supervisor and was told to wait in the emergency room waiting room. About a half hour later, the jerk and the supervisor comes out to the lobby. I show the supervisor my driver's license (which states my gender is female) the supervisor was fine. And then the jerk asked me if I have a penis! I was furious! Right in the middle of the emergency room waiting room, I ripped up my blouse and bra and told the jerk with my bare breasts exposed telling him that if he wants to judge me by my body, judge me by this. So ok. Same visit, I pass the intake jerk and onto x-ray to get my legs ultrasounded. They couldn't find anything. Three days later I had three emergency surgeries to save my right leg at a different hospital. Just recently, I ended up back in the emergency room. I have a failed spinal fusion and a herniated disc above the fusion. I was attacked and it aggravated the herniated disc and is (yes still) swollen and pinching is nerve root causing extreme pain in my left leg. They took x-rays. They did a CT scan, unfortunately neither of these imaging show soft tissue. A MRI is needed. They sent me away two hours before x-ray opened where they would have found the problem. And I protested then sending me home because of it. I'm been six weeks bedridden. I finally got well enough to see a back surgeon. Guess what? He ordered the exact same thing I told the ER doctor. The damn MRI. Watuga Hospital Emergency Room is the worst in the world. I'm an elderly disabled woman. I don't have dependable transportation so that Watuga Hospital Emergency Room is the only game in town. It's gotta be pretty much a life and death situation for me to go to the emergency room to start with. It almost cost me my right leg. It's cost me six weeks being bedridden. Mr Mantooth (the CEO) why? Roberta Michelle Moquin. Yeah, the same one who publicly called you out when one of your doctor facilities kept having trouble keeping doctors and I couldn't get my child's or my meds bridged. My daughter is a brittle type two diabetic. Going without her insulin can kill her. From what I understand, the hospital itself is good. The specialist I've delt with a great. BUT THE WATUGA HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM IS DANGEROUS!!! read more

My husband and I were in the area for a long weekend getaway and, unfortunately, had the need to visit Wautauga Medical Center. Unexpected surgery required a hospital stay and, since it was during COVID-19, the procedures were not the normal ones we are used to with regard to visiting patients or waiting for them during surgery. The Emergency Room team was very attentive to my ailing husband as well as to keeping me informed throughout the check-in and after-surgery process. The surgeon also called me after to update me (at 4 am). We were very impressed with the entire staff, including the nurses on the 2nd floor, and my husband says that there is no better place for emergency surgery. read more

I just came home from spending 3 days at Watauga Medical Center after I had a heart attack . They placed a stent the following day after I arrived and the procedure was very successful as well as done Quickly and efficiently. My nurse Brooklyn and her tech Alec were unbelievable to me and couldn't do enough for me. The entire staff was terrific as well as the facility was clean and well done. I've stayed at a few hospitals before but this hospital is beyond compare. Nobody wants to have to go to the hospital but this place is over the top and beyond compare. Thanking the entire staff for making my visit so great. read more

Please get some friendly staff in ER .my son was in ER for three nights and two days .with a bladder stone.he was given no water or food ,he became dehydrated ,i begged for them to give him water and a cheese cracker .he was so hungery and thristy.the tests they did did not requre he couldnt eat or have water .they had him transfered to another hospital with out my permission .i am his power of attorney.they tricked him in thinking he was going to the hospital him and i agreed to .and got my son to sign.with out my permission .the hospital they took him to turned out to be a caring hospital the doctors was friendly and jumped right in to help .they took the stone out and treated him for severe dehydration .he was so dehydrated.his bowels did not have enought moisture .his bowels blocked .this hospital has to undo what watauga hospital ER did to him .i wouldnt take my dog to watauga medical ER. read more

We came here while vacationing with family. My father was having horrible abdominal pain. He was seen right away. Diagnosed and was shipped to another hospital pretty quickly. Place was clean. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. read more

Went to the ER for severe lower abdominal pain in early hours of the morning. Staff from the admittance desk to the doctors were all friendly. I was seen within 15 minutes of arrival. Bloodwork and CT scan were completed quickly and diagnosis was made. Dr Pearson and RN JC were very professional and kind. They kept me well Informed on what was being done and were extremely attentive the entire time. Thanks for your dedication to your profession and for making me as comfortable as possible. read more

I wouldn't even give this place a star. Our wait time to be seen was very short but the doctor was convinced there was nothing wring with my roommate. He was acting like her pain wasn't anything major and before testing her was basically saying he predicts he wasn't going to find anything. Dr. Dean treated her and told her she had a kidney stone she could pass. At her follow up appointment at another doctor, we found out her stone was too large to pass and that she also had a second one that he did not tell her about. Overall we didn't have a good experience and unless an absolute emergency will not return. read more

I came into the ER with my friend who was in extreme pain and they waited 2 hours before they were even called into an exam room. It's been an hour since the nurse has seen us and still no sign of a doctor. God help any person who comes in here with a serious condition because they will probably die before anyone takes care of them. No one here seems to be motivated enough to even check in on a patient every half hour. If you really need medical help do not come here go elsewhere. 0/10 recommend!!!! read more

Well done! While summering in Boone, my daughter developed appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery. She received outstanding care from every person with whom we came into contact. Shockingly, the president of the hospital was walking the halls and stopped me to see how we were. Completely amazing, close-community care. Perhaps the arrow pointing the way to Emergency could be moved to the same line (on the sign coming in from State Farm Road) to more clearly help direct frazzled parents. Thank you read more

This is the absolute worst place on earth. God forbid anyone needs to go here. This is the response I left on the survey they sent: The absolutely worst emergency room I have ever been in in my life. I don't know how you people stay open. I walked in and collapsed on the floor crying and begging for help the person just called someone and treated me like my emergency situation was not an emergency. The lady who filled out my chart was an absolute BITCH (excuse my French). I was having an extremely sever panic attack and instead of talking to me and helping me calm down (I do that by talking to people) she gave rude remarks such as "I'm just trying to get your chart done. Will you let me do that?". Whenever I brought up a concern she stared at me as if I was crazy and made me feel completely uncomfortable, unheard, and uncared for. She had zero regard for human emotion and showed absolutely 0 sympathy for my extremely serious mental health condition that I didn't know I had. The doctor was extremely unprofessional. He explained absolutely nothing. Just said "it's anxiety go home".... I was in the hospital because my anxiety attack made my entire body numb for HOURS. I told him I didn't feel comfortable going home because I didn't feel good at all and I had to beg him to do tests to rule out anything else (as I've never been diagnosed with anxiety and was having anxiety because i thought something else was wrong). There were only 2 not horrible people there. The crisis team psych evaluation doctor and my main nurse who put in the IV. They were both extremely professional and amazing. They made me feel comfortable and safe. They listened closely and validated my feelings which is all someone who is having an anxiety attack wants. Overall your Emergency room staff are an absolute shit show and I wouldn't wish this god awful place on my worst enemy. read more

teams of Professional care givers working together to save lives.

I was rushed to the ER and then spent 5 days recovering. Everyone, from the ER Staff to the Nurses, Physician Assistants, Doctors and Surgeons were absolutely fabulous. Extremely professional, courteous and friendly. As someone from out of State I was very impressed and thankful for their attitude and services. Well done. read more

BEWARE! Of course this place deserves zero stars. Moved to the area a year ago have gone to the doctor twice - both times for 100% insurance covered annual physicals. The physician was good - Dr Stephanie Walker - however EVERYTHING ELSE IS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I have spent 15+ hours on the phone *and in person* getting billing codes corrected. Covered annual exams that were to be free of charge to me have been billed to my insruance company incorrectly and then to me at over $600 (for blood work and a tap on the knee).... They submitted the bills to insurance with INCORRECT coding THREE TIMES. They are cheats that are just another part of a very corrupt system that "accidentally" mis-codes items to their own favor... Other folks don't have 15-20 hours to DO OTHER PEOPLE'S JOB'S FOR THEM. High turn over also - everyone is "new" and only stays a few weeks. BEWARE!!!!!! read more

I went to the emergency room at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC on Christmas night 2 015 with back pain so severe I could not stand up straight and had to use a wheel chair. Dr. Felix was the so-called Dr on duty. He either did not believe me about my pain level or he resented me asking for specific meds. I am 61 years old and have never been prescribed pain med in my life. nurse friends with masters and 4 year degrees in nursing and 20 years experience had told me what to ask for. staff was great, however dr felix treated me like a liar and prescribed a pain pill with the effectiveness of a tic-tac. I called the next evening and asked the nurse to ask him if I could have something stronger. No reply. Called 1.5 hours later still no reply. Spoke to head of emergency medicine Dr. James Bell. He was no help, said I should have gone to my family Dr. On Christmas night? no research into the problem, he filed no incident report. he covered up and made excuses for dr felix. I hope i never have to use them for ANYTHING again. If I ever have to receive emergency treatment again I will go to Wake Forest Baptist 2 hours away so I can be at a real hospital with real and CARING doctors. By the way, 5 days later still can't stand up straight. Still hurting. read more

My son came to the ER in severe abdominal pain. He ended up having to have an appendectomy. The entire experience was fantastic. Dr Fisher in the ER was superb. His surgeon Dr Haizlip was professional and kind. All the nurses, dietary staff (brought us extra bottles of water and a special lunch tray) were lovely. Social Work came to check on him. He was showered with excellent care and attention. He recovered quickly thanks to the great care received. read more

We spent over 3 hours and 30 minutes in the ER just to be examined by someone. Keep in mind, less than 10 people were examined/"helped" throughout this 3 + hour timeframe. I have travelled all over the world and can say with confidence that this is the most inefficient medical facility I've ever seen in my life. read more

I went to the emergency room at 2 am for severe abdominal pain. All the staff treated me as if I was faking the pain or being melodramatic. Especially Dr. Felix who was my doctor there. It took me over an hour to get pain medicine because I had a kidney stone. Very poor service, during the most painful experience of my life. Dr. Felix was very condescending until he found out my pain was legitimate. read more

Be wary. My daughter went to the ER on a holiday weekend when none of the clinics were open with symptoms of a sinus infection. When they finally looked at her and performed a CT Scan of the Paranasal Sinuses to confirm the sinus blockage - you would think that would have been enough. Prescribe something for the infection, something for the pain (since she had a bad headache) and she's good to go. However - they decided to perform a full CT scan as well to the tune of $1300 to try and diagnose her headache! Really! She was sick and in pain, and they took advantage of this to perform very expensive and unnecessary tests. Surprisingly the results of the full CT scan were inconclusive. Over $2900 for 3-1/2 hours in the emergency room for a sinus infection. Be very wary if you ever have to go to this ER. read more

I want to like this hospital, but I can't....if I could give it 0 stars I would. The ER doctor (sent to staff the ER from Winston-Salem) was nonchalant and obviously thought I was a frequent flyer since he spoke to me in a condescending manner. I was sent to the ER by my primary care provider because of extremely high blood pressure and chest pains from the previous night. My daughter, who is quick to call me out if I'm too hard on a situation, agreed that the experience was less than adequate. If that wasn't bad enough, I signed up for a bill payment plan to pay the balance and the money was taken from my account monthly through December 2018. With no notice from Wake Forest Hospital, I was turned over to a bill collection agency on February 4, 2019. After multiple calls to the number on the only 2 bills I ever received from them, I was assured they did NOT turn me over to a collection agency, but to a new "billing" company. After 2 days of phone calls to Wake Forest University Health Sciences at Watauga Medical Center and Professional Recovery Cosultants, Inc, I paid them the less than 100.00 I owed (which the hospital would have had complete payment of this month) and was assured by everyone I spoke with at PRC, Inc that they were not a biller, but a collection agency. I am on the phone once again with Wake Forest University Health Sciences, on hold again no less, waiting to find out who turned an account in good standing over to a collection agency and called it a new biller.....totally disgusted with the care, the billing, the entire process. read more