Skagit Valley Hospital

I had a cardiac ablation procedure performed on January 12, 2016 to arrest my atrial flutter and return my heart’s sinus rhythm to normal. The care that I received from the admit staff, to the nursing staff, especially Barbara, to the cardiologist, Dr. Hanna, who performed the procedure, and his ablation team was absolutely outstanding! Not only did they explain in detail the procedure and the recovery process, they were exceptionally sensitive to my comfort during the process. In addition, they took great care to keep my wife informed about my progress before, during and after the procedure. Highly professional, personal, and caring sums up my visit.

Was at skagit today in excruciating pain thought my leg was broken. I kept asking for something for the pain as on a scale from one to ten it was an eleven. I am anti drug however when it’s obvious from a contusion and my heart rate I was only offered naproxen. When asked to speak to the senior dr on staff I was told they don’t have one… I saw O’kelley, Tomothy S DO. My recommendation is definitely don’t go to Skagit and if you must go there do not see Timothy O’kelley he was not sympathetic in fact he was rather rude and acted as if it was an inconvenience to see me. I am in management and if this guy worked for me he would be fired!!! Needless to say still in pain thanks Doc you didn’t help me at all!!!

My husband came here in severe pain and ended up getting his appendix removed. The staff here were kind, caring, knowledgeable and professional. Plus the food was really good!!!

My father just had a major surgery that that required a 4 day stay in this place. The care he received was so sub-​par I would not ever recommend this place to anybody. He left this place and within 24 hours of being discharged ended up in the E.R. for severe dehydration. He passed out and I am grateful me and my husband were there with him or he would have fallen. He is in his mid 70’s so not really someone that you want falling, especially after a major surgery. A week after his surgery, a visit to the E. R we visit his surgeon and his surgeon decides that he really needs to be back in the hospital for better one on one care and some and some rehabilitation for the surgery he just had. So after 5 hours waiting in the E.R. again the E.R. MD decides that he does not need to be admitted. He goes against the surgeon orders. WOW !!! This place is the biggest joke that I have ever came across. Who leaves a hospital so dehydrated that you pass out? I have grave concerns about the level of patient care that is happening at this place. There are several other issues that were noted as well.
The bottom line, If you value your life don’t go to this place

I recently had a major surgery which required a five day stay in the recovery area! This was my third procedure in the hospital and the first two were very favorable, but the third was a bust!
I always thought the recovery area was a place for peace and quite! They would leave my room door open and then go to the nurses stations and have social gatherings with loud laughter and good times. This was very aggravating, as I am suffering after the operation and have to be disturbed by this excessive levity!
I was on a liquid diet, so my wife asked the nurse for a couple of packages of brown sugar to make the breakfast gruel palatable. The nurse took this request as a personal affront to her skill classification and said there was no brown sugar. She also accused my wife of attacking her, even though I was there for the entire conversation and the only person being confrontational was the hotsy-​totsy nurse! After a few minutes, she did find the brown sugar!
My wife also asked her for a cup of frozen sherbert for me as it was one of the few items my stomach would tolerate! When she brought the sherbert, it was warm and steaming! My wife asked her what was that all about and she said it was frozen so they microwave it for 30 seconds to make it soft! I think she microwaved it for at least a minute!
The straw that broke the camels back, was when my wife was headed to the cafeteria to purchase me a FROZEN sherbert, the nurse was outside my room, relating to all her friends about what had transpired!
I will never have another operation in this hospital!

Unless you are in danger of immediate death, do not use this facility. The health care providers are fine, but the billing department is still in the dark ages. After you over your health concern your problems are just beginning. In the 4 years I have lived in this area and used the Clinic or hospital, they have mishandled my billing over and over.
Once, I was forced to go to court against their «unscrupulous» collection agency, SB&C, Ltd. Armed with Canceled check, the clinic cashed, and bill with a 0 balance I was positive I would prevail. Alas, not to be. I was ordered to pay for part of THEIR attorneys fees. Since they would have never have taken this to court if, IF the billing department would have not sent it to them. SO, that was my fault somehow. Did I get reimbursed for this? NO!
Fast forward to the present. A workers comp injury. I was sure they could not mess this up, but they stepped to the plate and proved me wrong. I have received bill after bill. I have talked to the billing department three times to let them know it was not being billed correctly. Was told that the state declined the payment. I called the Department of Labor in Olympia and was informed they have never received a bill from Skagit Hospital/​Clinic. Today I received another Form Letter from the Pit Bull, and I hate using that term as it insults a fine breed of dog, SB&C, Ltd. Warning me of future Judgment’s. After another call to Skagit clinic’s billing department VOICE MAIL. I have been told it once again, they will contact me within 24 hours. Please, PLEASE find another facility.
One should never fear this incompliance after a health emergency

A totally unexpected overnight stay for my elderly father went seamlessly. The staff was zooming around in the hallway and I could hear them chattering about how busy they were, but when they came into Dad’s room, they were unrushed and totally focused on his needs. The doc was also very attentive, spoke directly to Dad (something that doesn’t always happen), and gave thoughtful answers to our questions. Very impressed.
As a contrast, my last stay there was the birth of my youngest son (28 years ago) and I called my husband in the wee hours of the morning to get me out of there! Great improvement.
Although not as important as good care, the décor, artwork, and landscaping are all very nice as well.
UPDATE: Husband also had a relatively easy 4-​day stay (except for his surgery itself), with attentive and friendly docs, nurses, and assistants. A bit slow getting released but I pin this more on his surgeon than the hospital.
UPDATE: Dad went in for non-​emergency ER visit (his assisted living facility over-​reacted and sent him to hospital for some unknown reason). The doc on call was mystified why he was there, as was I, but she did a very thorough exam including lab tests which all came back normal. Spent time talking with me about elder care in general, and was very available and responsive.

I have always received quality care at SVH, and I’ve been there a lot. It’s clean, modern, and everyone has a good attitude. The ER techs have a great sense of humor (the I suppose you’d need one in some situations). Maternity area is really nice and there is a huge waiting room for the families/​friends. Given a choice, I would pick this hospital over other local ones.

What is a 5-​star hospital anyway?
I’ve never had a hospital stay myself (knock and praise) but I’ve been to many hospitals and my experience at Skagit Valley Hospital was extremely positive on every score.
The location is convenient. Ground level parking is ample so there’s no foul-​mood-​high-​blood-​pressure-​creating multi-​level color-​coded garage parking madness to deal with. I observed the doctors, nurses and care team to be on it. The peace and serenity of private rooms is monumentally important to me from a recovery standpoint. There are hide-​a-​beds for overnight an family member or friend. There are ample visiting areas inside and pretty outdoor courtyard areas for visiting and waiting.
I like the piano in the common area and like it even more when it’s being played.
Whidbey Coffee has a set-​up along the corridor with espresso, very nice quality pastries and salads.
As of this writing I’d SERIOUSLY consider a stay at Skagit Valley Hospital over Evergreen or Overlake or Highline or Swedish or Providence or Harborview or Virginia Mason or Group Health or Valley or even Northwest.

Recently had a relative hospitilized at Skagit… All I can say is the care/​attention he received was incredible. Care was very comprehensive from the person who cleaned up to the attending physicans. If i ever needed to be hospitalized andI could choose. This would be the place I would want. Each room is a private room, HD tv,
rooms have couches that fold out into beds. They allow you to stay in the room. Only gripe I heard was they can’t select from a menu as far as meals are concerned, otherwise. let my dr sign me in.

Was pretty impressed by this small, community hospital. It is either brand new or has recently been remodeled. Went to visit a relative who had just had surgery and all staff that we came in contact with were nice and professional (especially the front desk gals!). Love how they have «windows» into patients rooms — where they can just open the shades and check on a patient plus they had couches and chairs for visitors. Relative (who’s gripes more than me) said care had been good…