DCH Health System

Like all hospitals, the ER wait is obscene and the staff is negligent. My roommate nearly cut the top of his finger off with a circular saw, and was gushing blood, and the triage nurse just gave him a wad of gauze and told him to rinse it in the bathroom. He then waited to see the doctor for over four hours. It wasn’t busy, so we had no idea what the hold up was. When the doctor finally came she was full of excuses and apathy. Unacceptable. I’ve never received prompt or competent care at this hospital either. The few times I’ve been in I received unnecessary CT scans (a cancer risk), and painkiller prescriptions I didn’t need or ask for. I know it’s weird to complain about that, but it made the doctors’ lack of concern that much more obvious. Do they even know whose chart is whose? Avoid this place if you can. It sucks.

The emergency room is always packed with waits taking up to 8 to 12 hours because so many people use it as primary care. It was so bad that, after a few emergencies, we started going to UAB. Despite the 45 minute drive, the treatment was faster. That said, once we got in to see a doctor, the ER care was first rate.

I must say that the staff here was polite and professional with my family. The room remained clean throughout the stay and they handled the family with care and respect. Kudos!