Unhappy with his ER experience

In the old days we used to receive top service from insurance companies, doctors, nurses, specialists, etc.

Now in the year 2002 the whole scene has changed. When you go to a hospital with pain or problems, the first thing that is asked is are you able to pay some way or have a responsible person that can pay. Then the paperwork takes about three to five hours, including wait time before you are given assistance.

On Dec. 26, I had an accident at home. I fell on my back in a driveway and had a 90-lb. TV fall on top of me. I did not feel extreme pain for a couple of hours.

About three hours later, I had a friend drive me to Los Robles Hospital emergency. I sat in the waiting room for about three hours, filling out forms and waiting for other patients to be taken care of.

Then I waited an hour in the treating room. The doctor took x-rays and gave me a Darvon shot to ease the pain and gave me a prescription for Vicodin.

Then the doctor sent me home, telling me I had only chipped one vertebra and compressed my spine. I came home and took the prescription and I fell asleep.

At about 2 or 3 a.m., I had so much pain I called the paramedics to rush me to the hospital. I live alone and had no other choice.

I had to be carried downstairs in sheets because the gurney did not fit through the small door openings.

Then I arrived at the hospital ER, and that’s when the nightmare started.

On arrival, I waited about an hour before I was given a shot, then moved to the third floor for about two hours. Then moved down to the second floor for about one hour, then they found a room to share with another person.

I can see why the hospital won’t give out release questionnaires on quality and service. I had three different roommates who had the same complaints; when you would call for water or a dropped urinal or pain relief or change of bedding, etc., first the nurse who answered would say they would get back in a few minutes. Minutes turned into hours and in some cases days.

Now I know this is the excuse I receive from all. The HMOs are not paid enough by Medicare, we are short of staff, we are short of beds and all doctors are on vacation, etc.

If this is a fact, then why did Columbia purchase Westlake Hospital and then close same and then buy Charter Hospital and convert it to a rehab hospital? We would not have a shortage of the above-mentioned problems.

I guess the bottom line is net profit. Instead of shorting service and quality of care to ill people, why not short CEO salaries so the rest of us can survive?

Morris Rousso

Oak Park

An independent cancer care provider, Salick Healthcare, Inc., not Columbia, closed Westlake Hospital.