Date of incident: September 17, 2026
Facility: Saint Peter's…read moreUniversity Hospital
Department: Emergency Department
I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the care I received in the Emergency Department on 9/17/ 2026 at Saint Peter's University Hospital.
I initially presented for an appointment with my pulmonologist. I had previously been diagnosed with pneumonia, but the treatment I had been receiving was not improving my condition. Because of this, I decided to see a specialist. After evaluating me, my pulmonologist referred me to the hospital's Emergency Department for further evaluation and testing. He also communicated with the physicians in the Emergency Department regarding my condition.
While I was waiting for the results of the tests, I began experiencing an episode of atrial fibrillation (AFib). I called for assistance and informed the nursing technician, "I don't feel well; I'm having an AFib episode." She performed an electrocardiogram (ECG), which confirmed that I was experiencing AFib. I was then connected to a cardiac monitor so that the nursing staff would be alerted.
Several nurses came to check on me because of the monitor alarms, but the physician did not come to evaluate me promptly. I asked where the doctor was and was told that he was busy. I understand that Emergency Departments can be extremely busy; however, I was experiencing an active cardiac arrhythmia and felt that my condition required timely medical evaluation.
When the physician eventually arrived, he asked me a series of questions. I answered some of them and then asked whether he had reviewed my medical record. He responded that he wanted to hear the information directly from me. He then had me sit upright. My symptoms continued, and the physician left my treatment area.
Because I continued to feel unwell, I requested that the physician return. When he came back, I asked whether medication would be prescribed to help regulate my heart rate. He responded that he needed to order an ECG. I explained that an ECG had already been performed and had confirmed the AFib episode. He nevertheless stated that he needed to order another ECG.
I was concerned about this approach because I was continuing to experience symptoms associated with AFib. I am a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees, and based on my professional experience, I was particularly concerned about the need for timely assessment and management of my heart rate and overall cardiovascular status.
The physician subsequently stated that he was going to place an order for medication or treatment and left. Some time later, I asked the nurse what had been ordered. She told me that she did not know because the order had not yet appeared in the system. The order appeared later.
During this period, another physician came to my treatment area and stated that they were going to take several steps to address my condition. The interventions were successful in bringing my AFib episode under control.
I am grateful that the second physician intervened and that my condition eventually improved. However, during the preceding events, I felt extremely unwell and genuinely feared that my life could be in danger. I did not feel safe or confident that my condition was being addressed with the urgency I believed it required.
My concerns are specifically regarding:
1. The delay in physician evaluation after my AFib was confirmed.
2. The fact that I continued to experience symptoms while waiting for further intervention.
3. The decision to repeat an ECG after an ECG had already confirmed the AFib episode.
4. The lack of clear communication regarding what treatment or medication had been ordered.
5. The overall communication and response to my concerns while I was experiencing an active cardiac arrhythmia.
6. Whether appropriate emergency-department protocols and prioritization were followed in responding to my condition.
I am requesting that the hospital conduct a thorough review of my care, including the medical record, ECG results, cardiac-monitor records, medication orders, timestamps, nursing documentation, physician documentation, and the timeline of the interventions performed.
I would also appreciate a written response explaining the findings of this review and whether the care provided was consistent with the hospital's policies and appropriate standards for a patient experiencing symptomatic AFib in the Emergency Department.
My intention in submitting this complaint is not simply to criticize the staff. I believe that situations involving patients who feel that their lives are in danger should be carefully reviewed so that any problems in communication, prioritization, or clinical response can be identified and addressed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the investigation.
Sincerely,
Quisqueya Peguero
September 17, 2026. Date of the service of Emergency Department.
