John D Dingell VA Medical Center

Reviews 4

AN

Andrea A

Worst care at this Detroit location. Takes months to see a doctor and forget about any specialized testing you are screwed! The only good doctor I found in the neurology department who had to fight the VA to send me outside of the VA ended up quitting because he said he was tired of going through the fight and red tape to give his patients the care they needed. The non VA testing that was finally approved (because the VA does not have the needed diagnostic equipment) had finally revealed some of the reasons why I was experiencing such debilitating symptoms. Now my new VA neurologist I was assigned to is going through the same fight get me approval for non VA care again as my medical issues worsen she admits they do not have neurologists with specialties at the VA or the diagnostic equipment needed to help diagnose and treat patients like me....and thats what our president calls acceptable care!! What a joke! Adding to my earlier post.... My pcp at the VA ordered a bone density test and after waiting 1 1/2 weeks with no calls to schedule I called the VA. I attempted multiple times to reach the radiology dept. with the phones ringing endlessly with no voicemail. I finally reached someone to be told they would need to take my number because they couldnt schedule me and gave me no reason. I said that I would be driving almost an hour to the VA today and if they had any cancellations I would take it. The lady then said well we have three openings today, but the tech is very "particular" about her testing and so I cant say you can take the appt. or not. She went over the prep. instructions and we agreed there were no issues there, but she alluded to the fact that the tech just likes to do things their way and couldnt schedule me in. She suggested I come in for my other appt. and ask my doc. in that dept. to look in the system to see if radiology put me into one of the three slots and then I would know (at the last minute) to come to the radiology appt. What the heck!! No wonder veterans are dying waiting for appts. Are the techs dictating their schedule or workload?? What would be the reason the lady could not schedule me at all that day when I finally reached someone? Oh and lets no forget the dirty bathrooms with no soap in the dispensers, trash overflowing in the trash bins and bodily fluids on the floors.

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Lisa B

I wish I didnt have to receive care here, but Ann Arbor (which is where I recommend veterans receive VA health care) is too far away. A 15-minute appt will take ALL DAY. Trust me. Bring a book, your homework, your smartphone, etc... I waited almost 3 hours to see my ENT doctor; an appt that lasted 10 minutes! Then I waited in Pharmacy another 2 hours. They SCREAM your name and it reminded me of basic training on the cattle-trucks when the Drill Sergeants were screaming at us for no reason. Pharmacy Services is unorganized and the Techs are unprofessional and rude. I generally think the other comments related to disrespectful service and rudeness can mainly be attributed to front-line staff. Once the veteran finally gets past the clerks and into the doctors office, the medical staff is professional. Remember, these physicians operate within a big, bureaucratic system, too. They feel the pinch. The problem is the clerks have already left you with a bad taste in your mouth about what the "rest of your visit is going to be like." I would suggest trying Ann Arbor Health System if you can drive that far. The administrative staff will not treat you like you just rolled out of a 1980 Caddy from the Hood. Thats how I feel when I receive care at the John D. Dingell VAMC, like I am just a sista in da hood. I am a two-time United States veteran, and I specifically chose the VA for my health care needs based on my Veteran Identity. This is the only health system in the world specifically designed to take care of this unique demographic like myself. I think its high time the Detroit VA understood veterans as a whole, a demographic group (a fraternity), and why we continue to subject ourselves to this maltreatment, despite being able to go across the street to another (civilian) hospital. Respecting our veteran status would go along way in getting better patient satisfaction scores, as well as admitting mistakes with true contrition, and NOT passing the buck. I hope this helps! May God continue to Bless all of your brave veterans out there fighting unimaginable illnesses. I pray you receive the care you are entitled to...the care you fought for and deserve.

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R.L. Brown

What a horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible experience! My father, who is a retired veteran First Lieutenant (1LT) US Army (1975-2005). Served in Italy, Persian Gulf and the Gulf War Operation Desert Shield. He is the most hard headed and stubborn person and bleeds Red, White and Blue and is an avid supporter of the VA Medical System, (especially John D Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, MI.) I am a Physician Assistant in Florida and received the call that my father was in the hospital for kidney stones and high blood pressure. When I was told that he went to the VA, MY HEART SANK! I grew up in Metro Detroit and the VA in Detroit has never had a good, positive reputation and horrible sub-par care! I immediately called the VA Hospital and was met with the rudest most unprofessional call center that told me on several occasions that my father was not in the hospital. This was told to me even after my mother (A Registered Nurse) just left him to go home and get him a change of clothes. I was told that I had the wrong hospital and was hung up on. I called back to request the AOD and was hung up on again. Finally, I got to a Rochelle the AOD and she was very nice but still handcuffed by the out dated system and she also had trouble locating my father. Finally, she finds him by calling to the ER to see if he was a patient. 10 minutes later she returns and asks me questions about a different patient!??? HIPPA, JCAHO! I then had to swallow my frustration and anger and be very calm and patient. Swallow my dismay and calmly explain who I was and who I was looking for. Rochelle the AOD was nice enough to apologize for the drama and personally found my father in the ER number 25 on the list. The patient tracking system is so archaic that you have to search for the patient! Micro-feech! He will never go to the VA Again! 1 star is only for Rochelle the AOD!

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titankratos

Hard to get anything done for my PTSD. Most of the time they make me feel like, Im wasting there time, and I am hurried out. Physical care is just the same. My pain is left untreated, and all they so is put me on opiates. Not a very good way to deal with chronic pain. They make it seem like I asked to be blown up. On top of that, its not stop packed, and they arent very aware of the vets with PTSD being triggered by lazy employees slamming doors and just dropping things rather than setting them down. Felt I needed to add this to hopefully prevent anything serious in the future. 3 months ago, I had my first in a series of black out spells believed to be caused by a heart problem after seeing my EKG. Horrid family history, and number of young deaths (including my mother at 32) has given doctors a big reason to worry about me. My health insurance situation forces me to receive care at the VA. However, finally had my cardiology appointment this morning after 3 months of waiting, only to be late by 20 minutes due to construction (and living an hour and a half away) and told I missed my slot and had to reschedule... ANOTHER 4 MONTHS OUT. Ive dropped, out like a light, inexplicably about 6 times now, once even in a Meijer (horribly embarrassing to wake up to a crowd of worried people because you are waiting for the VA). I cant drive, experience horrible chest pain, and have an overwhelming fear for my life. I dont know what to do, I wish I had more help from these guys, but Im only being told to wait. Just a warning, DO NOT GO TO THIS FACILITY FOR ANYTHING LIFE THREATENING!!! THEY WILL NOT TREAT YOU IN A TIMELY OR PROFESSIONAL MANNER!!!

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