St. Thomas Hospital

So today I’m having chest pains, I call my Doctor’s office and am told «go to the Emergency room» which I do. St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital– the «chest pain» center. I am promptly taken in and taken to a triage area. The young man assisting me is chewing gum — full on popping bubbles. He tells me he will need to do an ekg, please disrobe. Does not offer me a gown to change into or anything. I ask for one and he gets me one. There are open bags of chips laying on his desk and his cell phone is going off constantly. After the very brief test I am asked to go back to the waiting room.
I’m taken to a small room and the Doctor comes in to ask me questions. A nurse begins placing an iv line — which hurts extremely bad — I point that out, I’m not a «baby» — I know what pain is! She beings to tell me «this is a needle, it’s an iv line.» Ok, I’m aware of all that. I’m thinking to myself «whatever it is you are doing, the pain is indicative of something wrong» but I say nothing because I know how the medical community is. If you complain… you are screwed. They know far, far better than you what’s going on with your body so say nothing.
After being taken for a chest xray, the young tech is very friendly and helpful, I am asked to go down the hall to give a urine sample — where there are two port-​a-​potties full of urine and trash on the floor and in the sink I am back in my room and waiting. And waiting. I’m not told of what’s going to take place now or anything else. I wait. I’m left on a gourney in a room with the door wide open. Everyone going up and down the halls peering into the room. I have NO privacy and am left alone. After 3 plus hours I finally unhook myself from the heart/​blood pressure/​pulse ox monitor so I can go down the hall to ask «what am I waiting on.»? If looks could kill… how dare I ask what’s going on?
While I’m waiting a representative from Registration comes in to verify my insurance, make sure my records have current info. She takes my driver’s license and leaves. She returns about 45 min later with two copies and let’s me know «here’s an esitmate of your charges today, would you like to play cash or by card.»? HELLO! I’m in an ER, thinking I am possibly having a cardiac event — I don’t know what’s going on, what’s going to be ordered, what/​how I am being treated today and I’m being asked for money on the spot? You have GOT TO BE kidding me? I have premium insurance and you are seriously standging here asking me for money? Wow! Is this how hospitals have chosen to make up for Obama care? Utterly unthinkable! If I wasn’t having chest pains when I came here, I am now!
My arm is throbbing from this iv needle so I pull back the tape to see the needle is literally bent at a fifteen degree angle. No wonder it hurts! I take the tape off, remove the iv myself and find a band aid to put on my arm. I’m quite offended now at my 3 hour wait — I understand things take time but it’s unprofessional and down right rude to leave someone sitting in a room for such an extended period of time without letting the know what’s going on and what’s going to take place. I decide I am leaving soon, I shall wait no more and I put my clothing on.
I’m told my tests results are back and now we’re waiting on the Doctor. She comes in finally to let me know that I am not having a heart attack. Don’t I think I need to be admitted to determine why I’m having chest and arm pains? I’m sorry… you are the Doctor, I came here to be treated and you are asking ME what to do? I’m concerned now and growing more so after she asks me «do you think you need a round of antibiotics.»? Yeah, I don’t think I can be shocked anymore! I’m literally more afraid now than when I walked in the door. I decided I am better off simply finding a Cardiologist on my own and making an appointment.
From personnel chewing gum, expecting me to undress without the mere covering myself to being left sitting for a very extended period of time, inserting a needle into my arm incorrectly, dirty bathrooms and being asked for money– I am NOT impressed with how much of anything went today. If I were having a cardiac event… I would NOT want to return to this hospital and endure their practices again. Ever.
Unprofessional, rude, not clean and certainly not considerate of ANYTHING patient related.

I will start off by saying the hospital is beautiful and VERY clean. Also, You do not share rooms from the ER to being admitted. The nurses were very kind and amazing in the ER. My nurse during the late night shift to early morning on the 4^th floor after I was admitted was OUTSTANDING!!! The things that ruined me giving them 5 stars are as follows:
1. No one gave me a menu or a number to call to order my breakfast, the kitchen called me but the phone was so far away I couldn’t grab it being all wired up. I had to wait 2 hours after asking for breakfast.
2. I needed to take my pills before breakfast which they knew, they never did anything nor ordered them till I ASKED HER!!!
3. I told my nurse I needed my pill we set aside at 11:30am, didn’t bring it till a hour later and my lunch was already here so I again had to hold off taking it 2 more hours!
4. My evening pills, NO sign of them and finally at 6pm I just told them I just took ones in my purse cause I can’t hold off on them or I will be hurting!
5. Said they would bring my thyroid pill at 6am never got it till 8am!
6. Asked to see a doctor after not seeing one for 12 hours, they brushed me off and never saw the doctor.
Lastly I still haven’t seen a doctor for over 24 hours!!! The doc said if my BP increased I could go home, while it has been perfect the last 18hrs, Yet I am still here! I finally got mad, and left with out a discharge since the doctors didn’t feel it was important to see me after 26hrs and i asked to see a doctor 2 times! I will NEVER go back here and contacting their corporate line.