Mary Greeley Medical Center

Reviews 4

JO

Joanna Steven

I went to Mary Greeley to give birth, because my family was nervous about non-hospital births. I came with a birth plan to try and get some things out of the way -- no formula for my baby, no circumcision if its a boy, no pushing to get an epidural, etc. In the end, despite them saying that I didnt need to be checked regularly if I didnt want to, they sent in a nurse every 30 minutes to do so anyway. They put me on Pitocin, and botched the epidural I ended up getting, giving me 2 weeks of intense epidural headache. Dr Nau said that my birth plan jinxed me, and that my son needed to be fed formula, which he proceeded to give him. A nurse later on told me I could pump instead. Thanks, Dr Nau, for not suggesting that first. Also, no one told me I could eat. I thought everything had to be paid for as they gave me a menu with prices. I spent 3 days drinking juice boxes without anyone checking in to see if I was nourishing myself. When I was still pregnant, I told them I had a slight pain on my side, which I had had a long time before getting pregnant, and they said I needed an ultrasound because it might be an ectopic pregnancy. I said I didnt want to and wanted an alternative. They said there were none. I told them about the blood test that measures hormones. They moaned and said OK. I got it, and they said I was fine. Thanks for not suggesting the blood test. And finally, I was vitamin D deficient, and no one thought of testing me. I got gestational diabetes, a condition caused in half the cases by a D deficiency, and they didnt even think about it. How about keeping up with the latest research? In the end, Im pretty sure that if I had not been set on breastfeeding, it wouldnt have worked, and if I hadnt been set on a vaginal delivery, they would have given me a C section. I am most definitely not giving birth there next time, and will opt for a birth center instead. If youre into natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and being left alone while you labor, stay away from that hospital. Or, get many people with you to advocate for you, because when youre in labor, you definitely wont be in the right mindset to be your own lawyer.

---

LO

Loren Reed

Twice now Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa has written my complaints off as in my head. Twice I have told them exactly what has been wrong with me. Twice I have been right. TWICE they have PUT MY LIFE IN JEOPARDY. The facts: In August 2012 at 10pm, I checked into Mary Greeley ER, complaining of severe abdominal pain, telling them I believed my appendix was going to burst. (Thanks Dad for the diagnosis from over the phone!) I sat in a private room for HOURS before they actually scanned me. I ALWAYS went an HOUR or MORE between visits from the nurse. In the room next to mine, a girl had a sprained arm. She was looked at the minute she got there and done in thirty minutes. As soon as they saw the results they came over and were all like "Turns out you have appendicitis and need operated on today." Only then was I taken care of. TODAY, April 5th, 2014 at 2pm, my managers called the ambulance because I was shaking so bad I couldnt hold stuff, and I couldnt really stand. The ambulance men insisted I go with them. They then told me it was an anxiety attack. I explained that anxiety attacks and I are very familiar with each other and this was most certainly NOT an anxiety attack. I said I believed it was because of a recent increase in my Bupropion. They took my vitals, asked me questions, etc. I said I woke up with a migraine, which is unusual, since I usually dont get them until around noon. I stated that I was constantly seeing dots, that the world often seemed to be tilting, I had lost my sense of balance, and I couldnt stop shaking. I informed them, yes, I was nauseous. I explained that this had started with the medicine increase and only gotten worse. I stated that it got better and worse. The doctor barely saw me. It was the nurse who said, "sign these discharge papers." I was flabbergasted. They took a person who could barely walk from five minutes near her dorm to nearly a forty minute walk. They gave me a packet with information explaining when to call 911. EVERY SYMPTOM I HAD WAS IN THERE. Google symptoms of Buproprion and its clear I should be hospitalized.

---

KA

Kate Montgomery

Absolutely excellent! From the facility, to the volunteers, nurses, surgeon, and even the kitchen staff, everything was above and beyond my expectations. I came in on 7/28/17 for scheduled back surgery and was treated like family from the minute I came in the door. My surgeon, Dr. Kaspar, really takes the time to talk with you, answer any questions, and keep you up to date. The nurses and anesthesiologist in the OR were exceptionally friendly and really tried to put you at ease as they prepped you. My aftercare has been truly phenomenal. I have not gone one hour since surgery without someone checking in on me and making sure Im comfortable. I had a private room, with a huge bathroom and shower, they have a recliner and couch in the room as well. The couch can be converted into a bed for anyone who would like to stay with you.. which was great becuse my mom and aunt spent the night here. They give you a number of options for your post-op medications so they can adjust to what suits each person best. And you NEVER wait for your pain medications.. they are on top of your pain every step of the way and make you as comfortable as possible within minutes. I have never received such timely care anywhere in my life. The nurses communicated so well.. no one was ever "behind the ball" or didnt know what was going on. They do a full briefing with you at every shift change so the nurse coming on is personally introduced to you, your case, needs, etc. I am currently one day post-op and I have already been visited by both the physical and occupational therapists who prepare you for going home (and this was by noon!). They ask a number of questions about your home, vehicles, bathroom set up, etc., so they can prepare you for the specific needs YOU will face. I honestly just cant say enough about the staff. They are so great. You never feel like a burden or bother to them.. they treat you like you are their number one concern and it shows in the recovery of their patients. I HIGHLY recommend Mary Greeley for any procedures/care you need.

---

LI

Lizzy Q

I can say from experience wit both being a patient at Mary Greeley and our son being there that the hospital leaves much to be desired. I was misdiagnosed in the er with a heart attack and the meds they gave me made me worse. Our son came in with an appendicitis and the er Doctor kept insisting he just needed to poop even though he had a large BM earlier that day. They ordered a CT then forgot about him. Over four hours later I asked the nurse why no CT then they scrambled to get him one. It was a miracle his appendix did not burst before the ct was done because he was rushed into surgery very quickly. We have friends whom the husband was misdiagnosed in the er and sent home. After seeing his family physician they re-tested him and discovered that he needed surgery as soon as possible and it was a miracle he had not bleed out because of the mistake. Please, pick a hospital in Des Moines. In my opinion your life would be in better hands there. The hospital spends millions on renovations but fires nurses and support staff when they think they can hire someone else with less experience for less money but it compromises the patients care.

---

---