St. Mary's Hospital

H

Hardcrab

Member
I've been involved with hospitals and doctors on both coasts for the past 20 years.. I'm talking about major facilities (WEST COAST- Loma Linda , UCLA Medical Center, Cedars Sinai -  EAST COAST- Johns Hopkins, Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown and various smaller town hospitals also on both coasts. My wife has had 9 major surgeries and numerous lesser events. I sometimes think I've spent more time in medical facilities then the staff or Drs. have.
I've come to believe 2 things. One is that on any given day in any given hospital, the newest , least experienced doctor is no better or worse then the  most seasoned "professional" & Two is they're ALL blood sucking vampires with us as their victims.
If I sound bitter, I am. 20 years of watching my loved ones suffer at their incompetent, money grabbing, uncaring hands will do that. Oh I've met a few that were pretty good. My chiropractor is pretty compassionate. My vet also has a good bedside manner. And let me see. I knew a podiatrist once that seemed to care for his patients (if only their feet). Not so with all the other Internists, Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Oncologists, Endocrinologists, etc, etc, that I’ve had to deal with. I'm not bragging or complaining, just telling my personal experiences.
I only hope that when my times comes, I go quick and please, don't let me wake up with one of those b****ards thumping me on my chest trying to revive me so he can suck a few more $$$ out of my insurance company.

Hardcrab
 
G

Guest

Member
Hardcrab you couldn't of put it any better.  I have seen a lot of my loved ones suffer.  
 
G

Guest

Member
It is one of those things your word against theres.  I know someone that was fired.  She worked there for yearssss.  She was set up by someone and fired.  It is her word against theres.  Doctors have no say so there anymore either.  The individual had 30-50 doctor reinstate her but the hospital refused.  They lost someone very important.  The individual took very good care of patients and put a lot of heart into there work.  It is sad that they would do that to someone.  That is what scares me when they fire people like that who do such a good job.  And then all that it takes is one jealous person to spoil it.
I here that they are planning to add on to the hospital.   Maybe that is why they fired the individual so that is one less high payed salary that they don't have to worry about.
 
G

grizmonkey

Member
A couple of years ago, my wife had an emergency appendectomy at Civista.  A month or so later, we received a bill for over $300 from a Dr Gopal Guruswamy, saying that my insurance would not cover his services.  This was not the surgeon that worked on my wife, and she swears that there was nobody in the OR other than the Doctor, nurse and anesthesiologist.  Civista told me that he was probably the "backup doctor" required by the hospital, to assist in case something happens to the surgeon during the operation.  I then called my insurance company to let them know that I felt that this was fraud.  They told me that some hospitals require a backup doctor, but that he could be anywhere in the hospital - like the cafeteria.  As it turns out, the insurance company reimbursed him a little bit (over $100 I think) and, after many notices from the doctor's billing department, I sent them a letter stating that since he was not in the OR, that I felt the compensation he received from the insurance company was more than enough to cover his "services".  It has been a year now, and I haven't heard from him since.
 
vraiblonde

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Health care is such a racket anyway.  I've known too many people who felt perfectly fine, went to the doctor for a routine checkup, doctor "finds something wrong", decides they need surgery and a week later they're dead.  I loathe doctors and try to avoid them whenever possible.  Sure, you can sue them if they screw up but who cares?  You're already dead.

I've worked closely with people in the medical, dentistry, etc. professions and seen how they also sell treatments that you don't need.  But they make it sound like you're going to die without it so what are you gonna do?  I had a dentist recommend whitening for my daughter's teeth when she was 8 years old (and had perfectly normal coloration).  When I laughed and said hell no, he tried to play on my Mommy-guilt - as in I'm a bad Mommy if I don't get my kid's teeth whitened.

And if the doctor doesn't kill you, you'll die of old age waiting for them to honor your appointment time.  For some reason, they think their time is much more important than yours.

We accept doctors as authority figures and that's totally wrong.  They are nothing more than paid employees - we give them money to do their job, they're not doing us any favors by bothering to see us.
 
Abby_

Abby_

New Member
I've had very good experiences at St. Mary's hospital. Delivered my second child there and received excellent care. Had the children there (only a few times over the years) and the care was excellent!

However, there is another man in the area who has the same first and last name as my husband (different SS# obviously) and we receive bills for him all the time...including collection agency calls!:boxing:


One of my children, at 5 weeks old, was taken via ambulance from St. Mary's to Children's in DC. We didn't have a good experience there. Nearly the whole floor of children had RSV, there were signs everywhere stating that all employees had to gown up and wear masks when handling the infants. Not one followed the protocol. I could go on and on...about the quality of care we received...but like anywhere...it all depends upon the individual folks who provide the care. I've also learned to be an advocate for my child...today...I would stand up and tell them to gown up. Back then...I was a lot more reserved.

We now go to Johns Hopkins about 10+ times per year with the same child. We've been very pleased with the quality of care there. However, we still get billing mistakes and overcharges.

Lessons we've learned...keep very good records, trust your instincts as a parent and advocate for your child. No one else is going to take it on...that's for sure.
 
woogie

woogie

Active Member
The Shahs pretty much own St. Mary's Hospital.
They call all the shots there and have the final
say on policy and personnel right down to what
doctors have privileges there. Cross them and
you can't work at or have privileges at St. Mary's.
 
dave1959

dave1959

Active Member
Did'nt read all the post's...But, Had 2 children delivered there, wife had 2 surgerys and the family as a whole had many other visits too numerius to list. Never had anything but first class service.
 
Southern Belle

Southern Belle

New Member
Guest said:
I was just wondering what everyones thought's were on St. Mary's Hopital and the staff?  If you have had to use the place for whatever reason what was your experience like?  

I think the place sucks and the way that the board members there treat there employee's is cruel.
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I recently took my son the St Mary's ER. The waiting room was packed. I sat there for 3 hrs waiting for my son to been seen and was told that it would be several more hours because they didn't have any vacant beds in the back. I witnessed a boy who was 7 yrs old spitting up blood and laying on the floor. His parents asked if someone could help them and they were told they would have to wait. I also witnessed people who complained to social workers and upper management staff were seen before this boy and they came in afterwards. After I saw this, I took my son to Calvert who was seen before I could finish getting him registered. I brought him home but later had to return because he wasn't better. He was admitted to Calvert for a few days. I have to say that I was happy with the emergency room at Calvert, excellent service and very clean...not at all like St Mary's.
 
hotmomma

hotmomma

mmmmhmmmmm
I have never had issues with St. Mary's. No place is ever going to please everyone. Not even hospitals. I'm sure there will always be someone to say something negative about any place.
 
SShewbert

SShewbert

What love is all about
hotmomma said:
I have never had issues with St. Mary's. No place is ever going to please everyone. Not even hospitals. I'm sure there will always be someone to say something negative about any place.
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:yeahthat: I also don't think people think about that they are going to the ER, not a doctor's office. You are gonna have a wait....
And they only do so much to get you through the night hence why they have you follow up with your PCP.
 
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