Northwest Hospital & Medical Center

Reviews 4

DO

Doug Shapleigh

This place is amazing. They literally saved my life. I was here in 2010 for emergency surgery and was well cared for. In Jan 2012 I fell incredibly ill and sought care at NW ER because of the quality of care I had received in the past (even though I live closer to another hospital). I was triaged within 10 minutes and was told there was no bed open but I would be brought back ASAP. I went to sit in the waiting room and lost consciousness within 5 minutes. Staff immediately came to my aid and brought me back, moving another patient into a hallway (sorry whoever you were). I was given medication to treat pain and nausea as well as fever reducer within 15 minutes. I was admitted after a bunch of tests and a CT scan. After a few days in general patient care I was moved to ICU as my liver and kidneys were shutting down and I could no longer communicate coherently. Started dialysis and it was determined I had to have my spleen removed and one of the docs took the very high risk and preformed the surgery that saved my life even though they told my family I had only a small chance of survival through the surgery and they urged them to transfer me to UW main campus although we all knew I wouldnt survive another few days. Turned out to be a rare blood condition that required immediate chemo. Chemo nurse was exceptional and sat with me through each round (3x a week for 5 months). I was in the bed for 5 months and couldnt walk due to this. Physical therapy was great and would find ways to modify exercises so I could do them. After 6 months my insurance decided I needed to be transferred to a nursing home but the hospital told them it wasnt happening until they said it was safe which was another 2 weeks beyond the insurance cos deadline. Through my 6 month stay I was always treated with complete and total respect, they allowed me to hang onto what dignity I could in this situation and always involved me and my family in the care choices. I feel everyone here had my best interest in every decision. My chemo nurse still calls me to see how Im doing and staff truly cares how I am doing to this date. I have been back for other problems since when I couldnt get into a doctors office because of a weekend or after hours and was treated just as well. I would never go anywhere else in Seattle for Emergency Care unless I had no choice.

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Cheryl Parke

Every time I called for a friend there, the static was absolutely awful - no conversation was possible. When I called to speak to a nurse or social worker, all I got was a chance to leave a voice mail.....which I have done on almost a daily basis and which were never returned. When I finally left a voice mail today that was more critical and pointing out that it had been over a week since I left the first voice mail (with several others as days passed), I finally got a return call, and she seemed rushed and pre-occupied. When I have asked legitimate questions, they either did not know or acted as if it was just too bad and such a shame the system is like this. When the call ended, I know no new or additional information about my friend. I called to see if I could mail some clean underwear to the patient, as it had been 10 days since he was admitted, and he had requested some. They hung up on me all 3 times I asked. I called main office, was connected to security and they checked to see if OK and had no answer.... just and I dont know.....shouldnt they? 10 days, Ive had no real contact with anyone that can answer valid questions or can give me any information on my friend (I am listed as OK to discuss w/ me).....just the runaround or actually being hung up on. Obviously, I am very frustrated by this. While President Trump wants to DRAIN THE SWAMP, I think its equally valid to propose DRAIN THE HOSPITAL-DOCTOR-NURSE-SOCIAL WORKER system....at least from an outsiders perspective. Im sure they all do a great job directly with the patient, its the external communication system that sucks and so frustrating...Ive spent hours on the phone, leaving countless voice mails, getting no return calls, and when you do finally talk to someone, they agree and commiserate at how frustrating the system is.....but nothing changes......to date, I know nothing new, updated or anything else about the questions I have on my friend that are very valid....wasted time.......might as well flip a coin for answers....... WARNING: The patient might live, but you might have an infarction or stroke and die with all the unnecessary hassle and frustration and irritation in dealing with this hospital by phone...... good luck!

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A Private User

Reading some of the reviews, I was concerned about the hospital, but after further review and visiting the facility prior to surgery I became comfortable enough to proceed. Now I look back and offer my personal experience. I found the building to be clean and comfortable in all areas. I live in Alaska and we have some really well equipped hospitals. North West lacked the latest and greatest automated equipment that I am used to, so instead of being constantly monitored for Blood Pressure, pulse, and oxygenation there were those interruptions every few hours when the nurse came in to collect vital signs. On the plus side, the staff was very very helpful, and even very enjoyable. I looked forward to visiting with them as they made their rounds. When I needed assistance, day or night, they were right at hand, never taking more than one or two minutes to reach my bedside. Furthermore, they were always cheerful and willing to help. The nursing and nursing assistant staff were just great, and of a great international mix, which I enjoyed. Going in, I was concerned about the working environment that I had read was bad. Curious, I asked nearly everyone I met "How is it to work here?" 100% of the responses were positive, most pointing to their many years of working there as proof of their satisfaction. I like to walk, even immediately after surgery, and so I walked, and I listened in on conversations. Never did I hear any complaining about work conditions. I was married to a nurse for 32 years, I know what things on the floor make them unhappy, and did not encounter any such talk. In my experience the hospital was very very good in nearly every way. Other than the previously mentioned lack of the latest monitoring equipment the only other shortcoming I encountered was that the food was not particularly good....in fact I didnt enjoy it at all. :-( The hospital did a very acceptable job for me and would recommend it with confidence.

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J. Fernandez

I had to go to the ER couple weeks ago and ended up needing to stay in the hospital for 7 days as they kept an eye on me to see if I needed surgery. It was my first time staying at a hospital over night. The doctors, nurses, and staff made this stay so much easier. They were amazing! I cant say enough good things about these people. Nurses: Helena, Erica, Morgan were incredible. They made me feel important and knew what I needed before I even asked for it. I am pretty shy and stubborn about my pain, so them knowing I needed this or that just by looking at me was pretty nice. There were other nurses whom names are escaping me that also made my stay much easier. Those three though def. brought my spirits up and made me feel like I was not even in a hospital. My doctors were Dr. Lange and Dr. Fylnn-Obrien. Again, amazing. Dr. Lange has been a huge help even after my hospital stay. You can really tell she cares about her patients. Dr. Flynn-Obrien checked in on me 2 some times 3 times a day when I was in the hospital and was always cheerful and very caring about how I was doing. Again, you could just tell she cared about getting her patients better. Could not ask for nicer doctors. All and all I liked this place so much that I made calls after calls to my insurance to change my primary care provider to them. That was all based off of the people and care I got when I had to stay there. Oh and I can not forget about how great the financial counselors were. Jacob called me during my stay to make sure I was able to find a way to get insurance. I over looked some things and he found it. HUGE help. I know everyones experience is different but I would highly recommend this hospital. I hope you dont need to go to a hospital but if you do I hope you have as welcoming experience as I did.

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