I rarely write reviews, but this experience deserves attention. I had a colonoscopy at this…read moresurgical center and, although the procedure itself went smoothly and the anesthesiologist was attentive, nearly everything else about the facility and staff was disorganized, inattentive, and at times downright unprofessional.
To begin, my appointment was scheduled for 12:30 PM, yet I wasn't called in until 1:30 PM. The nurse casually explained that "the doctor's paperwork states patients may have to wait longer because he's always very busy." That's an unacceptable attitude toward patients who are fasting, dehydrated, and exhausted after an all-night prep. The front desk staff were equally dismissive, giving short, condescending responses when multiple patients asked about the delay. No one offered an apology or update.
Once I was finally called in, I was told to place my belongings in a locker--but there were no keys, so all lockers were wide open. I was advised to take my purse with me and put it under my bed. The gowns were of the cheapest, scratchy material, and no slippers or socks were provided.
What felt especially ironic was that, while I was explaining to the anesthesiologist that I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder requiring, among other things, extreme care with IV placement), the nurse attempting to insert my IV seemed completely unaware of how to handle this properly. She repeatedly smacked the back of my hand to "bring up the vein," which was extremely painful and contraindicated for someone with fragile veins. Despite my saying "ouch" multiple times, she did not stop or reposition the IV.
The lack of professionalism continued after the procedure. No one offered water, or provided a call button for assistance. I lay in my recovery bed for about 20 minutes before the doctor appeared briefly to summarize results that were already written on my discharge paper. Finally, though the center required an emergency contact and driver for pickup, no one called my contact to let him know I was done. He only found out because I texted him myself while getting dressed. When he arrived, there was not a single staff member around to check me out or acknowledge my departure.
To make matters worse, several hours after the procedure, my hand is still swollen, red, and painful from the IV site--clear evidence of how poorly it was handled. The only positive aspect of the entire experience was the anesthesiologist, who took my EDS seriously and provided good care during the procedure itself. Otherwise, this center demonstrated poor patient communication, lack of basic amenities, and an alarming disregard for safety and respect. I strongly recommend that others consider alternative facilities where patient well-being and professionalism are treated as priorities.
