Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

Reviews 4

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Tony Davis

I am confused about how should rate them. They have proven to be either the best care anywhere or the worst. They actually saved my life with a rapid response to a heart attack (extremely good with Cardiac or Strokes). When going in for neck pain and some numbness in my hand, I received a full cardiac work up given a muscle relaxer, and never addressed the Neck pain. A month later I was having severe pain in again in my my neck, and went over to be checked and was suddenly rushed in the ER for a full Cardiac work-up. I explained that it was neck pain. Once that was ruled out, they did a full Head scan and work up for a Stroke. Both times I received a CT scan, and I asked the tech if they were getting a scan of my neck, and both times I was told that had not been ordered. Then I was taken for an MRI, and I asked if they were doing a scan of my neck, and they said no that they had not been asked to do that. Once they came back normal, and I spent 10 hours in the ER, the Doctor came in and said that they had checked everything, and thought it must be muscle or soft tissue. That I should follow up with my primary care physician. Before I could ask any questions about my neck pain, my daughter said that is your doctor headed out the door. I asked to see the Doctor, and a new one came in to see me and told me that it was just muscle, and I was able to convince him to look at my neck. He found "some disk degeneration" and was able to give me a referral to Ortho-Spine. I continued with After some difficulties getting lines crossed and were finally uncrossed and I was allowed to see one of the Sharpest physicians I have ever met, and I came in the Army in 1976, so I have seen a few. He identified 4 disk that needed to be replaced. He explained the procedure, the possible outcomes. Excellent bedside manner. Obviously loved his job (just what you want in a surgeon), and cared about his patients. I was so excited to have found a surgeon of such a high quality. He performed the Surgery, and everything went well, and as I was recovering from the surgery, I began to have some unusual pain. it was a type of pain he explained was related to nerve measurement taken during surgery. He had explained that I should contact the clinic if I began to experience the pain. They said that he was on vacation and that the doctor covering for him was "not comfortable" prescribing medication for that type of pain. After calling back again, I was told that they would text him, but if I hadnt heard something by 2:30, I should go to the ER. So I gave them to about 5 pm. But no call. When I went to the ER and explained that I had just had surgery, and was referred back to them if I had not heard anything. They seemed unaware that this type of surgery was even performed there. They insisted on doing a full cardiac work up, to include an x-ray (if you go to this ER you are going to get an x-ray). After a full work-up the doctor came in and told me that there was no reason for the Shortness of breath, or no signs of a heart attack. I explained that I was there for the nerve pain from my surgery. The Doctor called the Ortho on call, and he wasnt comfortable addressing the complexities (and I wasnt comfortable without treatment) So one of us had to be uncomfortable, it was clear it would be me. The ER Doctor called Bethesda, but they were not comfortable treating a patient that had not seen before. * It is time to step up and find someone that can address the continuum of care for a post surgical ACDK patient. *The On call system needs to be addressed. If you cannot handle the patients, then you should not be covering the patients. *The communication between the clinics and the ER needs to be addressed, so that they know what to do with someone told to show up there. I have until Monday morning to suffer an amazing pain that exceeds the Kidney stone by a factor of 2 or more. I am praying that I can just make it through the day and 2 nights between now and then. I give you the 5 stars because you saved my life, for without that I wouldnt be here.

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Robert Marino

I have had very horrible treatment here. I was referred to Ortho for my shoulder. It took a month to just get an appointment and after seeing them the doc just said do physical therapy (which I have been doing). Five weeks later I see him again. He told me that there has been a little more tearing in my tendons and to try physical therapy for three more weeks. At this point I asked for a second opinion at Walter Reed. The doc at WR said that I needed surgery and shouldnt have been doing physical therapy because it most likely made it worse. It also takes forever to get an appointment for anything and for the wait to end up worthless because of the lack of care. One of the nurses at the ER also had a weird foot fetish and smelled my wifes shoe and her foot while she was being seen. A formal complaint was out in for that. Now my wife is being seen in Mammography for a lump on her breast. I was told that I cannot go back with her to support her when they do the biopsy done because there are other woman in the other rooms. Isnt that why all the rooms have curtains and doors? This is the worst hospital Ive ever been to. All of the medical technology in the world here and its all worthless when they refuse to do their job.

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Sheri Masek

I made my first visit to the new hospital ER on 19 Mar 15, around 3 pm. I wish to commend the entire staff for assisting me in a time of pain and high anxiety. I was in sad shape. I was processed very efficiently and left in the exam room to wait for the doctor and then I was getting very anxious and was developing clastraphobic tendencies. I had to get off the bed and open the door to calm me a bit. Dr. Dennis came in and examined me. I have a civilian doctor who was out of town and I had seen his partner - who gave me vicodin, sent me for 15 xrays and had me scheduled for a body bone scan on Friday - which I cancelled when I started feel so strange. Anyway, Dr. Dennis prescribed an immediate IV with various meds and within 5 minutes I got a lot of relief. Still had the pain in my thigh and difficult to walk. She gave me take home meds and I have been taking them today. I slept last night for the lst time in 3 days/nights and the pain was gone this morning. Still a little shaky but I feel so much better after a terrorizing week. Thank you Dewitt ER. Please pass on my deep appreciation to Dr.B. Dennis. CMSgt Sharon Masek, USAF-Ret)

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Karen Kirkup

Went into the ER almost unconscious. People carried me onto a wheelchair. Most staffs were gentle and caring, although they asked questions I couldnt answer because my mind was affected by the 106F fever. There was an ocean of voices around my lips and actions. I was frozen but most nurses and staffs tried to access the situation and help. Some were staring at me in amazement. This is the third MIL hospital Ive been to and always there are some lazy folks walking around like nothing is happening. Dont ever think your half-dead patients arent watching. I remembered every single one of you if my eye was half opened. I remember things with my bones and soul. I appreciate those who treated me like dear family even when I didnt look normal or significant. Fortunately, my friend was right beside me with her 4 kids and explained to the staffs that the situation wasnt normal. I salute to those silent helpers. Clean and professional was my last impression. The four stars are for those who did their jobs genuinely and saved my life.

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