Our local hospitals

Case number one:
Because his condition took such a turn for the worse, none was admitted to the psychiatric ward. They basically just shoved him into a bed and started trying to force-feed him, which he’s been steadily refusing for over a week now. No IV drips, no nothing.
Yesterday, I finally asked if they had actually performed a CT scan or any kind of diagnostic testing.
The doctor😁was just like... well... um... the cancer is dormant, it hasn't spread...
Me: Cancer? Since when does he have cancer? (He’s actually suffering from that disease where the brain essentially turns to mush😢😢 I can't even remember the name)
Doctor: Total silence, followed by a frantic dash toward a patient who had just lit up a cigarette.😠
Once we got home, the phone rings—it's the esteemed doctor🙄 telling us they're sending him home.😲😲Apparently, he's being transferred to Key West. Okay. A bit confused, so I call the family GP to ask if the hospital doesn't usually transport patients to Key West. An hour later, the doctor calls back; he’s heading to Key West on Monday-Tuesday.

Case number two:
A friend of mine took her little boy to the children's hospital for what was supposed to be a routine checkup—just some blood work and things like that.
From the moment they drew his blood at 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM, the little guy, his mom, and her sister just sat there in the waiting room (the kid was sleeping on his mom's lap). For that entire duration, two hospital "divas" stood behind the reception desk gossiping about a third woman, just so one of them could get up for an hour, grab a cup of coffee, and walk over to tell them they’d have to "wait" until 5:00 PM for the blood test results.😲😲😲
I should emphasize: this hospital doesn't have a single thing—no play area, no restaurant, no cafeteria, nothing to make the wait even slightly tolerable for parents and kids who are stuck there all day long.

It looks like nobody else here has gone through anything quite like this... I know, I know, maybe this isn't the perfect spot for this topic? If I've got it wrong, I'd really appreciate it if a mod could move this to the right section, but honestly, it feels like it belongs right here.

The real issue is the management, because when you have subordinates—like nurses and doctors in this case—they're just going to act however they please based on whether their boss is actually competent or just a total disaster.

I'm not entirely sure if there’s already a thread dedicated to this...
But I really need to vent about hospitals and the self-important bureaucrats running them.😠

So, two weeks ago, my grandmother was rushed to the ER—her primary care physician sent her over—and she spent the ENTIRE day just sitting there. We're talking from 8:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night before she was finally admitted to the Gastroenterology ward for observation.
From that moment until just two days ago, she was supposedly "undergoing testing," but we haven't received a single shred of information. No one wants to tell us anything, no one will, and frankly, it feels like no one is even capable of giving us a straight answer.
It wasn't until two days ago that my mother—who is basically a saint for managing all of this—finally found out that my grandmother has colon cancer.
I should point out that both my mom and dad work standard 8:00 to 4:30 shifts, so they don't exactly have the luxury of spending their workdays calling the hospital to hunt down a doctor. In fact, we don't even know who is actually treating her because every time we call, someone just vaguely refers to "the doctor" without any specifics.
It’s honestly embarrassing that in the United States, in this day and age, you can't get a clear update on a patient's status from a single person.😠 😠 😠

If you look at how nobody seems to have any complaints about our hospitals, you’d almost think they were some kind of dreamland...

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the timeline here. Did anyone from the family actually stay with Grandma at the farmhouse, and has anyone even been checking in on her lately? Also, was there anyone present at the hospital who actually had the guts to demand a face-to-face meeting with the attending physician?

Daniel Bailey39 said:If nobody's complaining about our hospitals, you'd think they were some kind of dreamland...

Give me a break. It’s an open secret that our healthcare system is a total mess and the staff can be incredibly rude, so people just don't bother arguing about it anymore.🤷

It’s also pretty well known that patients can be super entitled sometimes, and they honestly don't seem to have a clue about their legal rights or what they're actually supposed to do.

fadedmarlin402 said:I’m honestly a bit confused here—was anyone from the family actually there at the nursing home with Grandma, or has anyone been checking in on her lately? Did anyone visit the unit and try to have a direct, face-to-face conversation with her doctor?

My uncle and I were there from about 8:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, and then my mom took over from 4:00 until 8:00 tonight. My mom usually heads over there every other day; we were actually just there today. As for who to ask, it’s a bit of a ridiculous situation because nobody ever bothered to tell us which physician is actually overseeing her care.🤷
We only heard through the grapevine that she was diagnosed with colon cancer following an MRI, but that’s just what she told us herself.

silvergull45 said:It’s a well-known fact that patients can be incredibly arrogant, often having no clue about their actual legal rights or responsibilities.

That sounds like a textbook example of our local doctor. Heaven forbid you actually ask a question or show even a shred of interest in what's happening.☕
But apparently, as long as they can pull in a $7,000 $3000 salary and brag in the local papers about restoring some vintage Art Nouveau townhouse, ☕ everything is just fine.

Don't even get me started... the other day at the ER, they brought my grandmother in. They got her settled and hooked up to an IV for the basics—it wasn't even a life-threatening emergency, but apparently, that’s just how you have to play it if you want them to actually admit you to the hospital. So, there I am, sitting in the waiting room, just observing the staff for a bit...
One doctor was busy texting right by the entrance, dressed in this high-fashion outfit that practically screamed for attention. Then a few more people wander in, and for a solid half hour, everyone is just huddled together admiring some iPhone right there in the middle of the trauma bay... and so on.
At the end of the day, the level of communication was zero. You're left completely in the dark; you won't know who is treating you, or even what's happening, unless you happen to be looking over someone's shoulder. It's honestly a mess.

Our hospitals are in a complete coma—honestly, they’re a perfect snapshot of how our healthcare system actually works in practice. Everyone loves to tell these heartwarming stories, but then—God forbid—you actually show up at a hospital and endure several psychological traumas before you even see a doctor. I’ve been walking through these halls for years now, and I still can’t wrap my head around how patients just take it so calmly. And it isn't just the patients; it’s the staff working under these conditions, too. Overcrowded waiting rooms, staffing shortages, lack of space, supplies, and equipment... it feels more like a war zone or some kind of natural disaster than a medical facility. Sure, an entitled patient might try to make a scene once in a while, but they’re quickly humbled. As for the medical staff—who we tend to criticize so much simply because they’re the ones we interact with—they don't have a choice: either adapt to the chaos or quit.
I think most people know that nurses and doctors in our hospitals often pull 24-hour shifts—and heaven help you if you end up in their care right at the end of that stretch.
Isn't continuous 24-hour work prohibited by labor law?
How on earth can a doctor or a nurse be capable of performing surgery after twenty hours of work without any rest? Because of all this, I almost bled out right in the middle of our tumor clinic during a totally routine procedure. It makes me realize why people talk about patients dying in waiting rooms without anyone stepping in to help. I felt it firsthand—and honestly, if I hadn't been persistent and loud about things being wrong, I probably would've been a goner myself.

So, one final question: why isn't anyone doing anything to change this?

I don't think the issue lies with the people themselves. I hear it constantly from everyone I talk to—that nothing seems to be working right, especially within the hospital system—but honestly, it feels like nobody just has the energy left to fight against these endless bureaucratic windmills anymore...
Take that one day I spent in the "waiting room." It was essentially just a little alcove carved into the wall where they crammed a bunch of chairs together. Aside from two mediocre cups of coffee, there was absolutely nothing. Given the amount of funding these places receive, you’d think they could at least mount a TV on the wall. Even if you kept it on mute, it would be better than staring at a single blank spot on the wall for twelve grueling hours...
And don't even get me started on the lack of a cafeteria. You can't even find a quiet corner to grab a decent bite or a drink. The food options are limited to those overpriced kiosks selling questionable snacks—think lukewarm sandwiches or pizza that looks like it's seen better days—all at premium prices.

As for the information desk? Honestly, it feels more like a fictional concept from a TV show than a real service...

I was actually just thinking about starting a thread like this because of the terrifying things I’ve dealt with over the last few days. If I were even a little bit bolder—or maybe just a bit crazier—one of those doctors might have ended up losing their license.
Situation No. 1: My dad started turning blue on Saturday afternoon; he couldn't breathe and was choking. Since he can't drive and I don't have my license, I called 911 to come get him, only for them to tell me they aren't some kind of taxi service. Does it not matter that citizens pay taxes to fund these emergency vehicles? Anyway, after a long argument, they finally agreed to come. We waited 25 minutes—which shouldn't take them even if they were walking!—and when they finally reached my dad, all they did was ask a couple of questions and give him a sedative injection. That was it. I was right there, so I saw everything. Once they left, I checked the paperwork: pulse 60, blood pressure 130/70, sugar... something, I can't quite make it out.
It seems we're just supposed to applaud doctors who have invented a "new" way of performing exams without any actual equipment or instruments, relying solely on a glance at the patient. 🤷
Two days later, I found out my neighbor, who was otherwise perfectly healthy, passed away. From talking to her daughter, I learned she had gone to the ER a few days prior complaining of stomach pains and black stools. They just gave her an antibiotic, and the woman bled out because of a ruptured ulcer.
I should mention that I never ran into these kinds of problems or people who couldn't be called doctors in a sane mind back in the major hospitals in Chicago. What is happening in these smaller towns is absolutely horrific. 🙂

Sarah Wells23 said:I was actually thinking about starting a thread just like this—honestly, after the nightmare I’ve dealt with over the last few days, if I were even slightly braver or crazier, one of those "doctors" would be looking for a new head right about now.
Scenario #1: My dad started gasping for air on Saturday afternoon—couldn't breathe, basically choking. I called 911 to get him an ambulance since he can't drive and I don't have my license, and they actually had the nerve to tell me they aren't some damn taxi service. Like, sorry, does it matter that taxpayers fund these vehicles? Anyway, after a massive argument, they finally agreed to come. We waited 25 minutes—which wouldn't even take them if they were walking—and when they finally got to Dad, they asked a couple of questions and gave him a sedative injection. That was it. That was the whole "medical intervention"—I was standing right there, saw everything. Once they cleared out, I checked the paperwork: pulse 60, BP 130/70, blood sugar—something, I can't quite make it out.
I guess we're all just supposed to applaud these doctors who've pioneered a revolutionary new way to diagnose people: just staring at them without using any actual equipment or tools. 🤷
Two days later, I find out my neighbor (who was perfectly healthy) passed away. Talking to her daughter, I found out she went to the ER a few days prior complaining of stomach pains and black stools. They just handed her an antibiotic, and the woman bled out because she had a ruptured ulcer.
Just to be clear, I never ran into these kinds of issues or people who couldn't be called doctors in their wildest dreams back in the big cities like Chicago or NYC. What’s happening in these smaller towns is absolutely horrific. 🙂

I can't speak for Chicago, but in Miami, the rule is pretty much that they won't show up for emergencies.😂 Unless it's a literal life-or-death miracle.🙏 They're just lazy bums...☕ and honestly, in Miami, they mostly hire people through connections/nepotism who have way worse credentials than other candidates...it's an open secret. Probably isn't any better in other cities either. So what do you expect from characters like that?🤷

As for a similar tragedy like that neighbor situation, I've got one too. I truly believe things will only improve once a few people lose their minds and start shooting, strangling, or whatever else happens to some of those high-and-mighty doctors. It won't happen any other way. Not until they actually start fearing for their own asses can we expect any real change.

Daniel Bailey39 said:I don't think the issue is actually the people. I hear so many folks saying everything is falling apart, especially in the hospitals, but honestly, nobody just has the energy left to fight those endless battles anymore...
That one day in the "waiting room"—it was basically just a little nook in a wall filled with cramped chairs and two coffee machines, nothing else. Seriously, with the amount of funding they get, couldn't they at least hang a TV on the wall? Even if it's on mute, staring at a single spot for twelve damn hours is brutal..
And don't even get me started on the lack of a cafeteria where you can actually grab a decent bite. The only options were those sketchy kiosks serving questionable food—like lukewarm sandwiches or pizza that looks like it'll make you sick—all for super high prices.

The info desk? What even is that? Something you see in movies, maybe...

There’s clearly no money for TVs or decent dining halls in public hospitals. If you want the kind of service you're describing, you need the kind of money found in the capitalist system your own side voted for. Next time you head to a waiting room, just bring a book. I’d recommend some spiritual, calming literature on Eastern philosophies. It might help you learn some patience and face reality. And hey, if those fast food stands have rats, call the health inspector. There are also formal complaint forms at the hospital where you can vent about your dissatisfaction or specify the exact dimensions of the TV you want. Either deal with it or stay quiet and stop stressing yourself out by chasing fantasies.

dustygardener25 said:Look, there’s zero budget for fancy IV fluids or gourmet cafeterias in public hospitals. If you want those kinds of luxuries, you need cash—which is exactly what your political crowd voted for in this capitalist system. Next time you’re sitting in the waiting room, bring a book. Actually, grab some spiritual stuff—Eastern philosophy or whatever—so you can learn some patience and face reality. And if you see rats in the local fast food joints, call the health inspector. There’s also a formal complaint form at the hospital where you can vent about the lack of premium IV drips or whatever else you're whining about. Either deal with it or just stay on mute and stop stressing over things that aren't happening.

Honestly, nobody would even be asking for "premium" treatment (not that that's even the point here🙏) if the conditions in these hospitals weren't such a mess. Yeah, I get it—public hospitals are broke. But does being underfunded give the staff an excuse to act like they don't care about their profession?🤷

wearydrifter8 said:And at the end of the day, why isn't anyone doing anything to change this?

Because it’s always easier to sit back and wait for "someone else" to fix the mess.
I agree with what someone else pointed out—people aren't just ignorant of their rights; they're clueless about their responsibilities, too.
I work for a cancer advocacy group. We started out as volunteers, but things eventually required a more serious, professional approach, largely due to all the reasons being hammered out in this thread.
The truth is, the system is a total wreck, but that broken system is built by everyone in this society—the medical staff, the patients, and every single one of us. As long as people stay quiet about their struggles and the irregularities they face, then in the eyes of the authorities, the problem simply doesn't exist.
Let me give you a very real example from the daily grind of oncology:
Waiting three months for radiation therapy isn't just "not ideal"—it's practically state-sanctioned manslaughter for people who actually have a legitimate shot at surviving and hitting remission. It’s rare to find a doctor who will look a patient in the eye and tell them that this delay is unacceptable. Likewise, a huge number of patients who *know* it's wrong choose to stay silent rather than go public and say, "I've been waiting three months for my tumor radiation!"
Some are afraid of offending "the doctor," while others just don't want their diagnosis made public knowledge, and so on. But clearly, they aren't afraid of the fact that the tumor is going to kill them if the treatment protocol isn't followed.

Let's talk about individual responsibility and our duties to one another. I'm focusing on oncology since that's my wheelhouse, but it ties directly into the opening text.
In America, we still see far too many deaths from types of cancer that could be prevented or caught early through responsible behavior—things like regular checkups, early detection, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet. If we're looking at this pragmatically, catching these things early saves taxpayer money because the interventions are minimal compared to late-stage care.
To be specific, colorectal cancer is the second most common malignancy. Through screening and early detection, it can be cured in 90% of cases! This dysfunctional system has at least launched screening programs that are free; they mail fecal occult blood tests directly to the homes of people over 50, which is precisely the demographic most at risk. These tests are incredibly simple—all you have to do is collect a small sample for three days, put it in the provided kits, and mail it back using the prepaid postage. The response rate is a pathetic 30%. In some areas, it's measured in mere fractions of a percent.
Then, once the pain starts and the disease has already metastasized to the liver, people scramble to the doctor. Chaos ensues: chemotherapy, various lines of treatment, drugs that may or may not work, and incredibly expensive medications that cost upwards of $0.00 per month, all wrapped up in total uncertainty.
On top of that, we have young children battling rare tumors that can't be detected early or prevented. Their medication doses can cost as much as $0.00 per month. The government is broke. The money was wasted by those over 50 who thought their health was nobody's business but their own.

None of us has the right to complain. We have a healthcare system and hospitals exactly like the ones we deserve.😳

Grace Chase97 said:Honestly, nobody would be begging for private healthcare—(not that that’s really the point here🙏)—if our public hospitals actually offered decent conditions. Look, I get it, state-run facilities are strapped for cash, but does a lack of funding excuse staff from acting like professionals?🤷

I’ve had some great experiences at hospitals and one really terrible one, though a few of my relatives have dealt with absolutely awful treatment.

Angela Wright said:It’s because it feels easier to just wait for "someone else" to fix things.
I agree with someone earlier who mentioned that people aren't just unaware of their rights, but their responsibilities too.
I work for a cancer support nonprofit. We started out as volunteers, but eventually, things required a much more serious and professional approach—largely due to the exact reasons being discussed in this thread.
The truth is, the system is broken, but that system is built by everyone in this society: the medical staff, the patients, and every citizen. When both sides stay silent about the issues and irregularities they encounter, then in the eyes of the government, the problem doesn't even exist.
Here is a very real example from the daily grind of oncology:
waiting three months for radiation treatment isn't just an anomaly; it’s essentially a death sentence for people who actually have a very high chance of surviving and going into remission. Rarely does a doctor tell their patient that this delay isn't normal. Likewise, many patients who realize how wrong this is choose not to speak up publicly and say: I've been waiting three months for my tumor radiation!
Some are afraid of offending "the doctor," while others just don't want their diagnosis made public, and so on. But clearly, they aren't afraid of the fact that the tumor will kill them if the treatment protocol isn't followed.

Let’s talk about individual responsibility. I’ll focus on oncology since that's my area, but it ties back to the original post.
In the US, we still see far too many deaths from types of cancer that could be prevented or caught early through responsible behavior—things like regular checkups, early screening, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet. If we look at it pragmatically, catching these early minimizes both the physical toll and the cost to the taxpayers.
Specifically, colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies. Through screening and early detection, it can be cured in 90% of cases! Our flawed system has launched screening initiatives where free occult blood tests are mailed directly to the homes of people over 50, which is the most at-risk group. The tests are incredibly simple: you collect samples for three days, put them in the kits, and mail them back using the prepaid postage provided. The response rate is only 30%. In some areas, it’s practically negligible.
Then, once the disease takes hold—often after it has already metastasized to the liver—people rush to the doctor, panic sets in, and it becomes a cycle of chemotherapy, different lines of treatment, varying results, and incredibly expensive medications costing upwards of $0.00$30,000 per month, all while facing total uncertainty.
We also have young children suffering from rare tumors that cannot be easily detected or prevented. Their treatments can cost as much as $0.00$100,000 per month. The government is strapped for cash. That money was essentially wasted by those over 50 who felt that their health screenings were none of anyone else's business.

None of us can point fingers at anyone else. We have a healthcare system and hospitals that are exactly what we deserve.😳

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