As the wife of a patient and someone who has worked in the medical field for 30 years, I am deeply…read moredisappointed and disturbed by what I witnessed during our recent visit to the Emergency Department at St. Vincent's Hospital.
My husband was severely ill, actively vomiting, dehydrated, losing weight rapidly, and clearly in distress. We spent over 8 hours in the waiting room and a total of 13 hours in the ED with very little communication, compassion, or meaningful resolution. What was most upsetting was not just the wait time, but the lack of empathy and attentiveness from staff throughout the experience.
At one point, I overheard a nurse openly and loudly sharing negative opinions about patients within earshot of others. It was incredibly unprofessional and disheartening, especially in an environment where people are scared, vulnerable, and seeking help.
What stood out the most was that several people in the waiting room showed more concern for my husband's condition than many of the medical professionals caring for him. Complete strangers checked on him, offered kind words, and showed more humanity than what we experienced from parts of the staff.
The lack of communication among staff, the apparent neglect, and the absence of urgency for someone clearly struggling was alarming. I understand emergency departments are busy and healthcare workers are under pressure, but basic compassion, communication, and dignity should never be optional in patient care.
I rarely leave reviews, but after spending decades in healthcare myself, I felt compelled to speak up. Patients deserve to feel heard, cared for, and treated like human beings, especially during medical emergencies.
