My 1-star review is based on the results of today's interaction, but there's a history of poor…read morecommunication at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, MA.
I prepared for a hernia surgery this morning, Thursday, Oct 8th. I did everything I needed to; as my ride was about to deliver me there for the 830A admittance, I get a call from my surgeon and the anesthesiologist explaining that the surgery is being cancelled. I arrive with my brother to learn the situation.
Before setting this surgery up, I needed an echocardiogram; this appointment was scheduled for Thursday, Oct 1st. I went to the lobby and reported to the area to have my echo. The receptionist there told me I was not on the schedule. She proceeded to call another department where I heard her say, "His name is not in my scheduling program." Another woman came out to greet me and said that my echo was being done in another building (20 Oneil Blvd) and to follow her. She politely explained that there are two scheduling systems and that was the cause of confusion. My echocardiogram was so last minute that I was added to a different system. However, no one told me this.
The following Monday, Oct 5th, I awaited the results of my echo. Unfortunately, my heart doc was absent due to a family emergency. Without the results of the echo, I needed to change plans and not lose the PTO from work. However, I received a web portal message from my heart doctor saying my heart looked good enough for the hernia procedure. I contacted the day surgery receptionist to communicate this, and I felt relief that this was going to happen. Between Monday, Oct 5th and today on Thursday, Oct 8th, I received two phone calls from staff giving me instructions on bathing with the antiseptic soap, to avoid eating or drinking past 12AM this morning, and to have a trusted driver to bring me home.
At no time was I aware that the day surgery staff couldn't contact the heart cardiology department, or rather, they would not return the requests for disclosure of my echocardiogram results. They were also not aware of the message sent to me via web portal; only later did I see that it was a private message.
Sadly, this was not a one-time occurrence. Back in May 2026, I tried to have my hernia surgery. One week before the date, I got a call from the day surgery receptionist that the anesthesiologist wouldn't sign off on my procedure due to old records of my heart's health. [SIDE NOTE: I had heart failure after my father's passing in April 2023. I was treated at Sturdy Hospital, RI Hospital, and Morton Hospital for this condition.] I was instructed by the receptionist to contact Morton Hospital Cardiology to transfer my health records to them. I called Morton Hospital, faxed them my signed signature approving the release, and nothing came of it. Either no records were sent or no records were received properly. Later that day, the receptionist told me that the procedure was canceled outright and I would have to consult with the cardiology department further.
Throughout this whole ordeal of getting my hernia surgery, I have done what I needed to, from taking meds and showing up for appointments. In addition, I have made many calls acting as the message go-between trying to get various departments to talk to each other; why am I doing THIS as the patient?
I did register my complaint on exiting this morning. I spoke to two women in the Sturdy Hospital Chapel. While they did apologize profusely, they asked if there's anything they can do to make it right. My response, "Get your ship in order." The breakdown of communication here is appalling.
