If I could leave zero stars, I would…read more
We brought my friend here because she has a complex medical history, including a hybrid form of POTS and conditions affecting her heart and neurological system. She was experiencing extremely concerning symptoms: her right pupil was completely dilated, severe migraine, loss of vision in her right eye, dizziness, and BP over 170/150. We were concerned she could be having a stroke or another neurological emergency.
From the moment we walked in, the experience was appalling.
The receptionist was rude and dismissive, and while my friend was visibly in distress, the security guard actually joked about whether she was "on crack."
What we witnessed happening to other patients was equally disturbing. An older man was sent into the waiting room still wearing an IV and with a catheter bag strapped to his leg. He had soiled himself and was apparently being told to take a cab to another hospital. The way he was treated was heartbreaking.
Another man returned visibly doubled over in pain and vomiting. Apparently, he had previously felt better and signed out AMA. The receptionist immediately asked, "Why are you back here?" When he began moaning, crying, and vomiting, she told him, "Don't start that again, I don't want to hear it." When he asked for water, she aggressively responded, "You can't have any water, you'll just throw it up." Regardless of his previous decision to leave, he deserved basic compassion when he returned for help.
Meanwhile, my friend had to repeatedly advocate for further evaluation, including a CT scan. We were also concerned that an EKG and eye-pressure test had not initially been done given her symptoms and medical history.
They attempted her IV four separate times before succeeding. Afterward, the used supplies and trash from the IV/blood draw and a urine specimen were left sitting on the rolling tray instead of being promptly cleared away. Her consent paperwork was also left there and, to our knowledge, was never collected or reviewed.
Dr. Espetia was extremely dismissive and suggested anxiety as an explanation.
When my friend reported that her vision was getting worse, she was given eye drops. Afterward, her vision worsened, the pupil in the affected eye became extremely constricted, and the pupil in her previously unaffected eye became extremely dilated. We were then told the situation was "idiopathic" because they didn't know why it was happening.
We continued advocating for additional evaluation. An EKG was eventually performed, but afterward we were essentially told to wait and see whether her vision improved.
It didn't.
When a nurse returned, we made it clear that her vision was continuing to deteriorate and that we were not comfortable leaving without further answers. Only then was an eye-pressure test performed.
Most shocking was being told that if her eyesight had not improved within a week, she should then schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
A WEEK.
We came to an ER because she was actively losing vision, had dramatically abnormal pupils, severe symptoms, and dangerously elevated blood pressure. Being told to wait a week and then seek an ophthalmologist if her eyesight still hadn't returned was incredibly concerning.
Eventually, discharge paperwork was brought in and she was told she could leave. My friend then had to remind the nurse that she still had an IV in her arm and a blood-pressure cuff on.
Dr. Espetia's bedside manner was dismissive, and we left feeling that our concerns were repeatedly minimized. The conduct we personally witnessed from the front-desk staff toward multiple sick and vulnerable patients was unacceptable.
I understand emergency departments are busy and staff work under tremendous stress. That does not excuse mocking patients, speaking cruelly to people crying or vomiting in pain, or making people feel like an inconvenience for seeking emergency care.
We came here terrified for our friend's health and left with even less confidence that she had been appropriately cared for. Based on our experience and what we personally witnessed that night, I cannot recommend this emergency department.
One star only because zero isn't an option.
