Dear Customer Service,…read more
I am writing to express my disappointment with the care and treatment I received in the CMC Emergency Department on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I have always had outstanding experiences with CMC. About three and a half years ago, when I moved to this area, I decided that CMC would be my healthcare provider because every doctor, nurse, and staff member I had encountered was kind, compassionate, and made me feel welcome. Unfortunately, my experience in the Emergency Department was completely different.
When I arrived, the gentleman working at the registration desk did not acknowledge or greet me. I had to approach him and ask if this was where I needed to register. Instead of welcoming me or asking how he could help, the first thing he told me was that there were a lot of people waiting, there were no beds available, and that I would have a long wait. He repeated this several times throughout our interaction.
At the time, there were only about five people in the waiting room. Whether there were five people or fifty people should not matter to someone seeking emergency medical care. Patients come to the Emergency Department because they are worried about their health, and hearing repeatedly how long the wait will be only adds to their anxiety.
While checking me in, I explained that I was experiencing chest pain that was radiating down my left arm. His response was, "I don't care about your arm. Tell me more about the chest pain." I understand that he may have been trying to focus on the most urgent symptom, but the way he said it was dismissive and lacked compassion. There are much more professional and caring ways to communicate with a patient who is frightened and not feeling well.
The night before, I had spoken with the on-call physician, who advised me to go to the Emergency Department because of my symptoms. Since it was late at night, I told the doctor I would come first thing in the morning unless my condition became worse, in which case I would call an ambulance. I tried several times to explain this, along with my other medical concerns, but I was never given the opportunity.
In addition to my chest pain, my legs and feet had become extremely swollen. My physician, Dr. Boykin, had prescribed medication to help reduce the fluid buildup because there was concern that my kidneys might not be functioning properly. The medication was not helping, and that was another important reason I came to the Emergency Department. Unfortunately, I felt as though no one wanted to hear about those concerns.
After my EKG was completed and I was told I was not having a heart attack, I became so discouraged by the way I had been treated that I decided to leave without receiving further evaluation. Looking back, I realize that was probably not the best decision, but I simply no longer felt comfortable staying. No patient should ever feel driven to leave an emergency department because they feel dismissed or unwelcome.
I also heard a nurse yelling loudly in the background while I was checking in. I do not know what the situation was, but from a patient's perspective, it came across as chaotic and unprofessional.
I understand that emergency departments can be extremely busy and stressful. I also understand that staff members deal with difficult situations every day. However, those circumstances should never prevent patients from being treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
I do not know the name of the employee who checked me in. He was a gentleman with gray hair working the registration desk that Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. I ask that you identify him and address this matter appropriately. Whether that involves coaching, additional customer service training, or another corrective action is your decision. I simply do not want another patient to have the same experience I had.
Again, I want to emphasize that this complaint is not about CMC as a whole. My experiences with your physicians, nurses, and office staff have consistently been excellent, which is exactly why this incident was so shocking and disappointing.
I would appreciate hearing from someone regarding this matter and learning what steps will be taken to address my concerns. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for considering my feedback.
Sincerely,
Rob H
11-01--64
