COREWELL HEALTH | ROYAL OAK
1. Postoperative Care & Timeline of Events
On July 21, 2026, I underwent sinus surgery. Prior to the procedure, my surgeon assured me that although he would be traveling out of the country during my recovery, appropriate coverage was in place to manage any postoperative issues. He also promised to call me personally to check on my progress. This never happened.
Neither the follow-up call nor the promised coverage materialized:
Onset of Complications: Shortly after surgery, I developed severe pain, uncontrolled vomiting, and a fever.
Lack of Outpatient Evaluation: My repeated calls to the surgeon's office detailing my deteriorating condition did not result in an evaluation by a coverage provider.
Emergency Department Referral: Instead of an in-office evaluation, I was instructed to report to the Corewell Health Emergency Department on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
2. Hospitalization & Diagnosis
Upon arrival at the emergency department on July 29, I was directly admitted to the hospital, where I remained through August 1, 2026 (5 North, Room 5645). I was diagnosed with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection--a healthcare-associated postoperative infection--and required three days of intravenous antibiotic treatment.
I am currently seeking a legal evaluation to determine whether the lack of postoperative follow-up, the absence of covered care, and the delay in direct intervention met the appropriate standard of care, and whether these failures contributed to the severity of my infection and subsequent hospitalization.
3. Hospital Care Advocacy & Staff Recognition
I want to explicitly state that my formal concerns regarding this stay are directed at facility resources and administrative oversight--not the clinical staff.
The bedside team on 5 North provided exceptional, compassionate, and professional care under difficult circumstances. I have submitted formal award nominations to recognize the following individuals whose dedication made a challenging stay manageable:
- Nursing Staff: Wade, RN; Olivia, RN; Kaitlyn, RN
- Medical Team: Dr. Gilbert (Neurology)
- Medical Assistants: Brooklynn, Syam, and Nicole
There were no blankets or pillows available, and I had to sleep in my clothes on my first night. There were also not enough rolling carts available for the nurses, and the scanners were not functioning. As a result, staff had to use refurbished cell phones to scan patients' wristbands and chart!
Last but certainly not least, there was no air conditioning, which made an already difficult stay even more uncomfortable.
I have been to this facility multiple times for procedures, and unfortunately, I have noticed that the quality of the experience continues to decline with each visit. This is ultimately why I felt compelled to write and share my concerns. I hope these issues will be taken seriously and addressed, as patients and staff deserve a safe, comfortable, and properly equipped environment.
While the care team was outstanding, the facility itself appears to be struggling with equipment shortages, malfunctioning technology, and physical infrastructure issues. My formal correspondence is intended to advocate for this clinical team so they receive the operational support and resources necessary to deliver the high standard of care to which they are clearly committed.
Due to this experience and the serious healthcare-associated bacterial infection I contracted, I have lost confidence in Corewell Health Royal Oak. I will be seeking all future care elsewhere and will share my experience with others when asked. read more