Elkhart General Hospital

Reviews 5

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Lisa Hassett

This is only in reference to the ER (and only concerning a few doctors/nurses) This is what I posted to their Facebook page, as well: I just left the ER and was treated horrible by Dr. Katharine Withorn who decided that I didnt need pain relief since I had chest pain with normal labs. I have printzmental angina and microvascular disease and that DOESNT show up on labs but is debilitating (pain-wise) at certain times. She treated me like a drug addict off the street. I have an actual diagnosed, extremely painful condition that wasnt responding to Nitro and she refused to help. Considering the entire ER has signs talking about how they can help get pain under control (and it is a goal) - it is shocking how some doctors get away with treating patients (with legitimate issues)like addicts. I understand that the ER sees a lot of people seeking pain medication for false reasons but common sense would show that in my case it was not addiction. Relieving pain in a patient that is suffering IS helping and often becomes the difference (in a chronic pain patient) easing out of a flare and being able to recover quicker (when pain management is not working at home). Not only was this doctor completely cold and checked-out - when I asked who I could talk to about it - a nurse sent in the charge nurse who was instantly non- receptive and defensive - not asking me what happened but instead barking orders at me and when I asked her why she was being like that she denied it and treated me like trash. Her name is Anette. I am calling the hospital tomorrow. I also plan on making the community aware of the complete disregard (for patients with diagnosed chronic issues) by several doctors and nurses on staff at EGH. I will say that several doctors that work in the ER, who actually understand the condition I have, have been amazing and helpful - but having that kind of vastly different approach among staff is horrifying and leaves patients, like myself, stunned when we are treated so badly by the few that are jaded and have turn against the Hippocratic oath. Excellent doctors know that tests will not always show how badly someone is suffering. [I added this to a comment]: I have been admitted to the hospital on several occasions and delivered my babies at EGH - I always had a great experience in those cases. I am only referring to several specific doctors (and a few nurses) from the ER that are just horrible. I want to point out that "emergencies" are not always life or death. They can be horrible pain that cannot be controlled at home. I have a pain doctor, I know how to deal with pain. I dont come in unless it is bad. I hadnt been there for this heart issue in almost three months. People commit suicide over pain - it is a real issue for those that deal with it day to day. Sometimes the pain medicine given (at home) just doesnt cover a horrible flare and it can be maddening to be in that kind of pain for several days. Try to understand that when someone comes in that has been trying to avoid coming to the ER but simply cannot deal with it any more. Even if we are not screaming and crying out loud - we may be in horrible pain. I know how to keep myself calm. I did start crying when this doctor treated me that way out of sheer exhaustion of hurting and being ignored - and treated like a "run of the mill" pain meds seeker. It sucks. And, it is wrong. VERY wrong.

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michael treu

I went here with my brother to treat a puncture wound in his hand. A sharp clamp went through the top and a wrench got pushed up through the bottom. there was a partial wound all the way through. The doctor initially was very nice and seem respectful but after he left it got real bad. So after they had got done "treating" his wound all they did was put a band aid on the top and a band aid on the bottom. They told him that he could return to work the next day with a 25 lb lift limit. he couldnt even lift 2 lbs without breaking open his wound. They sent him home with no bandages and said he was fine. SO far it has taken him over a week to get to the point where he can lift over 20 lbs. They told him he was good to go and sent him on his way. He had just had a seizure and didnt know if he was driving home alone. They didnt care i suppose. he was in a lot of pain for a week in a half. Now he has o go to a specialist o see if he needs surgery. So glad they had MANNY the intern give him a band-aid and no other help. Maybe EGH should start giving a damn about people . Also the fact that the other nurses though 2 band aids would be appropriate for a puncture wound that was bleeding all the way through the band-aids is mind boggling. I really hope that ll the nurses are not trained so poorly ... like i said maybe they just dont give a damn about how others are affected since it isnt them.

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Mark Slater

I went to EGH via ambulance with severe chest pain and they released me with chest pain. They gave me pain meds which made me feel better and then when medication wore off when I got home the same pain is back very severe. They told me to call cardiologist in the morning for follow up appointment. Which I did yesterday. Cant see him until Monday. As of right now I still have severe chest pain. I take Nitros under the tongue and chewable baby aspirin several times a day. They told me to come to ER if I continue to have chest pain. Why? So they can send me back home with pain. Its a waste of time and money. Ill just keep taking Nitros and baby aspirin until Monday when I see cardiologist. When I was released they didnt ask if I had any question and no paper work which I normally get. Felt like I got pushed out. I felt they were in a hurry to get me out because the waiting room was very busy. Didnt even get discharge papers. My wife was there with me and she wasnt satisfied with the service.

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Joshua C.

Calling in for my wife to check and see if we can induce labor if shes dilated to 4 cms or more considering the mandatory business meeting I have to be at across country in a few days. Kind I was to the woman I was talking to she snapped at every question I asked in a very rude manner. I asked questions but she kept blocking my statements and talking over me. This isnt the first time this has happened. Many family and friends have been treated very poorly as well. As for the "for women only" department for pregnancys we have experienced from a Dr. Sexual Harassment, hitting on my wife directly in front of me as well as saying things that shouldnt have been said. So women and men watch out. He may not do it to you but if he did it to us hell do it again to another person or couple.

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Jenn Doud

Everyone has different experiences at different hospitals but i can honestly say that the nurses and doctors in the elkhart emergency room are amazing at what they do. Goshen hospital is really nice looking but the nurses and doctors have poor bedside manner and do not run the needed tests. The doctors at goshen make assumptions and give improper treatment based on those assumptions. Leaving you misdiagnosed and sick. Elkhart runs all the proper tests based on symptoms and give you the proper treatments. After dealing with the staff at goshen i assumed all hospitals were the same and was doubtful of elkhart general but i was wrong. Good and caring doctors do exist.

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