PIH Health Hospital - Downey

Reviews 4

LU

Luis Torres

Dont go here if you can help it! My [adult] niece had surgery to replace a shunt in her head. [Ill spare you all the details as to why they waited until she had excruciating headaches to replace it]. One week after they released her, she was back in because there was an infection at the incision. So many (careless) things happened after that: they took a CT scan, but the doctor didnt check for results because no one recorded on her chart that a CT scan was even done. When the Physicians Assistant came into the room {2 days after the CT Scan was done} she looked at my niece and said, "well schedule a CT scan for her", the aunt said "she already had one." When the PA saw the CT results she said, "she needs to have surgery right away!" [can you imagine if the PA hadnt come in that day?] Before she went into surgery that day, the family reminded the medical team not to intibate her (put a tube in her air passageway) because her passageway is to narrow, (she was born premature and it is not fully developed); instead use an oxygen mask....which is how she always goes into surgery. Their response, "yeah...we got it." What do they do? They intibate her! And after surgery, the tube is still in her mouth because now theyre afraid to remove it because they had such a difficult time putting it in...[which is why they were supposed to use an oxygen mask!], and just in case she has problems breathing....which she didnt have before the surgery. Now she cant eat because theres a tube down her throat. So they suggest that she be transported to UCLA Medical so that medical doctors there could evaluate her breathing situation. UCLA said they had no rooms available yet, but in the meantime, "remove the tube and give her a tracheotomy (which she has had before). The Ear Nose Throat specialist at Downey, refused to do that. Long story short, after one week of having that tube in her mouth...and not eating... the ENT doctor at Downey, finally removed the tube and gave her a tracheotomy [which the UCLA doctor had said to do several days prior] and sent her home...not having been moved to UCLA at all...after waiting over 1 week for that transport. When she was released from Downey hospital to go home, the very same night she was back in ER because the trache was clogged and it wouldnt clear even with the equipment they sent home with her. Turns out, they didnt give her all the right equipment to care for the trache. She spent over 3 weeks in that hospital....2 weeks of it had to do with the tube in her mouth....which had they listened to use an oxygen mask, none of that would have happened. Then to be released only to go back in the very same night because they didnt give her the right equipment! Terrible! Terrible! Hospital! Stay away! Go somewhere else. By the way, when my niece returned to the hospital that night, she went to White Memorial.....a much better hospital!

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T

T C

My recent trip to the ER was uneventful. It was a long wait like most ER visits and it was a bit dirty in the bathroom but it could have been worse. I am not sure why some people walk in and expect to be seen within a half hour. It is an emergency room with incidents most people could not stomach to know. Things are going on behind the scenes that nobody else sees. When I took my daughter to the ER for a fever (which turned out to be an ear infection) I was so irritated to wait. I had been there for 2 hours and I had 5 kids under the age of 10 with me. I complained to the nurse and she promptly told me that when they were done with the gun shot victim and the kid that drowned maybe they could see me. I decided to stay quiet and be grateful that I was only there for a kid with a fever. This was years ago at Harbor UCLA medical center which is also a trauma center. I never forgot that lesson in humility and understanding. Although this hospital was a little dirty and the staff were not the brightest cheery hospital staff I have encountered, I attribute that to what they see on a daily. Also, the different attitudes and personalities they have to deal with every time they show up for their shift. If people stop getting so butt hurt and offended all the time and start trying to be a little more understanding of others then perhaps those attitudes will resonate with the people they are dealing with and it will be a different experience. I know when I choose to take that attitude then I see things from a different perspective. I finally figured out that the world does not revolve around me. I just have to remind myself of it from time to time because I tend to forget. Thank you to the doctor that stitched me up. I hope your father is well.

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NI

Nick Smith

Worst hospital ever, I truly hate this ER. Contacting the board on this place. Came in complain of weakness, numbness,heart palpitations, no real anxiety, Manual breathing, dizzy, worried of course. high blood pressure. Started getting weak in chair so wheelchairs me out back to waiting room , then got up to walk maybe catch my breath passed out in front of hospital. My gf was with me and caught me as I collapsed. Remember being wheeled back in, they did not check pupils, or pulse. which were dilated and completely flushed skin tone, didnt remember passing out. They still had me wait in waiting room after. Plus on Vic for pain, they knew this, after waiting for 2 hours! Got in at 8-830 so 10-1030they give me tramadol, which after asking my doc is a big NO. Major interactions between the two, seizures, etc. I could tell something was wrong and had demanded multiple times for help and please remove the iv w tramadol. My gf had to go ask even more times. Requested the charge nurse, NEVER showed. I had to find and confront her. This place can cost you your life! Plus the Dr would walk away from me while I was speaking and explaining. The nurse and doctor didnt even know that I had passed out up front! How? Terrible uneducated staff. The very last thing the Dr had to say was something could be wrong with your brain and offered a CT scan. Why wouldnt she offer that before? Only after I get up and say my Dr hasnt come back in over an hour and a half yet she offers the scan.

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JO

Jorge Castillo

I will never come to this hospital again. My wife was in Labor. Of course, the OB/GYN Doctor had to called. Theyre on call and not present. I informed nurse to call the doctor, but of course, she didnt. I then ask her to page a Code L&D for the Emergency Physician to assist in this Labor. She didnt. My wife delivered with the assistance of the Nurses. Thank God nothing happened to our son. When the Doctor arrived, she was upset with the Nursing Staff. She didnt understand why she wasnt called sooner. Then of course, you get your bill. Theyre quick to get their money, but lack in providing the best patient care. Called Accounting and spoke yo Patty. She would call me back the following day to address my bill. She took my number and assure she will call me back the next day. As a precaution, I got her extension, just in case. I ask to be transfered to her Supervisor. I spoke to her and felt that nothing was resolved. I ask to be transfered to Upper Management. Of course ,I got redirected to a different place. They transfered the call to PIH in Whittier. They couldnt help me out and redirected to PIH Downey. Finally, I got transfered to someone who handled complaints. I left her a message. I had to call Patty back due that I didnt here anything from her. I felt that they didnt care and I will not be coming back to this facility nor the one in Whittier. They lack Customer Service and will not refer any one to PIH. I wouldnt of gave them any star, but that was the only option I had.

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