State of the healthcare system in America: Let's discuss why it's failing

This isn't just a local thing; it’s how the world works. Sure, we're online and enjoy this little illusion of anonymity, but a court order can pull your data whenever they want. We’re just laying out the reality so you don't get blindsided one day when an attorney's letter shows up on your doorstep. Whatever you type, you have to own—especially in court. And you better have damn good evidence, otherwise, you're just asking to lose a lawsuit and end up paying someone damages. It sounds absurd, but it happens. Keep that in mind.

Look, mistyjackal842, it's noble of you to want to warn people about these things, but what you're doing is starting to feel like a straight-up lynching. If you actually have proof, take it to court. If you don't, everyone online has already read what you wrote, so consider the mission accomplished. People are warned.

melloworca6 said:
You won't get a strike for this (even though honestly, you deserve one since both the admin and I asked you via PM to stop doing this), but I have to tell you, this is really uncalled for.

We let you post about your case everywhere, even when it was totally off-topic and had nothing to do with the thread. We didn't delete your posts or warn you until recently. Mistyjackal842, I am truly sorry for what you are going through, but you aren't the only one who has lost someone due to someone else's negligence. What would this forum look like if we allowed everyone to post their personal stories everywhere, regardless of whether it fits the topic or not?

As mods, our job is to maintain the hygiene of this forum. Given the state of this place, we actually show a lot of tolerance and allow way more than what's typically permitted elsewhere. Accusing people who are doctors—who spend their free time giving free advice and explaining things better than some actual doctors—of covering up for whoever is responsible for a death is a very, very low blow.
To surprise you, not all the mods in the Health section are medical professionals (some of us have nothing to do with medicine), and I have to tell you that this ban on dragging Vinogradska topics isn't just a decision by the doctor-mods; it's a decision by all the Health mods, the super-mods in charge of Health, and the admin.

That warning about being sued for libel was good-natured advice from the admin (and btw, leaking private messages is against forum rules and carries a fairly long ban, just so you know how much we mods are fed up with you). You won't believe it, but we've had cases where lawyers contacted the owner asking for IP addresses to sue people for defamation. Do you actually have evidence for everything you're saying? Setting aside the fact that I believe you, do you have evidence that would hold up in a court of law? If not, then thank God someone warned you. You never know who reads this forum or who might take offense at what you're doing and decide to sue you. You even mentioned certain doctors from Vinogradska by name; what's stopping them from filing a lawsuit against you? 🤷

I know you're going through it, but let's take a breather here. We’ve tried being patient and keeping things civil, but honestly, from here on out, we're deleting posts like this—and if it doesn't stop, we'll start handing out bans. And don't think this just applies to the Health section; this goes for the entire forum.

Also, please don't reply to this post right here. If you want to argue about it, we can talk in this thread: Messages, complaints, comments

I fully stand behind this post. I've seen this happen on this forum before—you can be sued for defamation, and then suddenly it's "oh, poor you." Everyone thinks this forum is anonymous, but it's not. Like melloworca6 said, it's possible to track down URLs and IP addresses, and that's not even the issue. The issue is that once you start filing lawsuits and all that, you won't be welcome in any hospital in the city of Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, or even abroad.
You say you see your future abroad, but don't think it's all sunshine and rainbows over there. Medical services cost a fortune, and they have waiting lists too. Just ask people living in the US how much gallbladder surgery costs. Have you ever wondered why Italians come here during their vacations to get dental work done? Personally, my family members live in Scandinavia, and even there, you have to wait up to 6 months for allergy tests and specialist appointments. They have waiting lists too.

Look, I get that you're bitter, really I do. But you keep mentioning how you studied Latin and logic back in high school—well, I didn't. So instead of playing doctor, I actually go see them. At least over the last couple of years, I’ve dealt with exams and checkups at plenty of hospitals all over Washington, D.C. If you're so hung up on why you didn't just head to the infectious disease hospital, then why didn't you just sign the waiver to take responsibility for transferring your late mother from Vinogradska Hospital to the infectious disease hospital?
You could have done that under your own responsibility. Looking back through all your posts I've followed, you mention your mother had kidney issues before, but you never brought that up earlier. Your father is a doctor, so why didn't he just handle things the same way?

I know things are rough and losing your mom is an incredible pain, but let's be real here for a second. The admins and mods gave you fair warnings and were honestly just trying to help.
My advice? Just listen to them.

Jessica Adams7 said:I have to weigh in on this one. I live in Germany... and my answer is: Yes, they are!
If someone gets diagnosed with something like leukemia, like my father did... you don't sit around waiting two weeks for test results. You get treated immediately.
That’s what accountability looks like.
Even though people here can be a bit eccentric and different... this healthcare topic is vital.
No one gets left behind. It doesn't matter if it's a child, an elderly person, or anyone else.
They can go home with peace of mind.
As for this so-called "system" we have here... sorry, but calling it a system is a stretch. It's a complete mess.

Ma'am,

I know of an instance—specifically in Germany, though I won't go into specifics—where someone waited ages for a consultation, even longer for surgery, only for the outcome to be poor. In the end, she had to pay out of her own pocket using her savings to undergo a corrective procedure privately.

Now, I don't live in Germany myself, and I'm basing this on a single case, but it’s enough to illustrate my point: health systems anywhere aren't exactly flowing with milk and honey.

Furthermore, my point was specifically regarding strabismus and waiting for follow-up specialist consultations. A diagnosis like that isn't an emergency; it isn't life-threatening. And in America, there are certainly clinics where the wait for a strabismus exam is significantly shorter than at a major hub like Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is where everyone seems to want to go.

As this user pointed out:

Brandon Newman95 said:I fully stand behind this post. I've seen this happen on this forum before—you can be sued for defamation, and then suddenly it's "oh, poor you." Everyone thinks this forum is anonymous, but it's not. Like melloworca6 said, it's possible to track down URLs and IP addresses, and that's not even the issue. The issue is that once you start filing lawsuits and all that, you won't be welcome in any hospital in the city of Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, or even abroad.
You say you see your future abroad, but don't think it's all sunshine and rainbows over there. Medical services cost a fortune, and they have waiting lists too. Just ask people living in the US how much gallbladder surgery costs. Have you ever wondered why Italians come here during their vacations to get dental work done? Personally, my family members live in Scandinavia, and even there, you have to wait up to 6 months for allergy tests and specialist appointments. They have waiting lists too.

Look, I get that you're bitter, really I do. But you keep mentioning how you studied Latin and logic back in high school—well, I didn't. So instead of playing doctor, I actually go see them. At least over the last couple of years, I’ve dealt with exams and checkups at plenty of hospitals all over Washington, D.C. If you're so hung up on why you didn't just head to the infectious disease hospital, then why didn't you just sign the waiver to take responsibility for transferring your late mother from Vinogradska Hospital to the infectious disease hospital?
You could have done that under your own responsibility. Looking back through all your posts I've followed, you mention your mother had kidney issues before, but you never brought that up earlier. Your father is a doctor, so why didn't he just handle things the same way?

I know things are rough and losing your mom is an incredible pain, but let's be real here for a second. The admins and mods gave you fair warnings and were honestly just trying to help.
My advice? Just listen to them.

The bottom line is that people wait for exams and tests in other countries too, not just here. And we're talking about much wealthier, more developed nations!

Nicholas Myers said:Ma'am,

I know of an instance—specifically in Germany, though I won't go into specifics—where someone waited ages for a consultation, even longer for surgery, only for the outcome to be poor. In the end, she had to pay out of her own pocket using her savings to undergo a corrective procedure privately.

Now, I don't live in Germany myself, and I'm basing this on a single case, but it’s enough to illustrate my point: health systems anywhere aren't exactly flowing with milk and honey.

Furthermore, my point was specifically regarding strabismus and waiting for follow-up specialist consultations. A diagnosis like that isn't an emergency; it isn't life-threatening. And in America, there are certainly clinics where the wait for a strabismus exam is significantly shorter than at a major hub like Johns Hopkins Hospital, which is where everyone seems to want to go.

As this user pointed out:

The bottom line is that people wait for exams and tests in other countries too, not just here. And we're talking about much wealthier, more developed nations!

Take the United Kingdom, for instance—you could be waiting an absolute eternity just to see an allergist. Two whole years. Two entire years!I believe that's actually mentioned in the "Allergy and asthma help" book, published by Mosaic book.

Hi everyone:-),
I won't claim everything here is perfect, but when it comes to emergencies—like a tumor diagnosis—things get handled immediately.
Of course, you still have to wait for screenings... but I haven't run into major issues personally. The longest I ever waited was a month for a CT scan. And I've been living in the US for 13 years now.
Luck?!
There’s actually a new law coming out... nobody should be waiting more than four weeks for any kind of exam anymore. At least they are trying to do something for the people.

As for the lady who is so bitter... I am truly sorry about your mother, but I have massive respect for you and your courage.
I understand the other side too... those who are writing that there will be problems. Sure, there might be... but she decided to go "all in," and for that, HUGE RESPECT!!!!
If everyone stood up for their rights like this, maybe we would actually get something done. But looking at this thread... it's clear everyone is just afraid.
It doesn't matter... everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I know we are very small compared to the doctors... everyone has connections, even when it comes to lawyers, but...
And regarding those gentlemen...
Do you really think those people sleep soundly at night????????
I believe that even those doctors have a conscience somewhere deep down...
That alone is enough of a punishment!!!!
We all know how it is. There is no point in pretending things are fine. They aren't.
But for those of us who speak our minds so freely, unfortunately, we aren't going to change anything.
At least we stand by our principles and refuse to support this so-called system.
I stand by everything I've written here. It's about my father... I have plenty of proof.
So, if you don't like it, feel free to look away.
Regarding the topic of American medicine... I am a nurse myself, and I am highly respected here in the US.
I worked back in the old country. I saw it all and lived through it all. Dealing with doctors.
I would never work back there again, even if I had to live under a bridge.
People... both patients and nurses, simply aren't respected. Not even a little bit.
If things continue to be supported exactly as they are... well, you know... it's only going to get worse.
You see it for yourselves... they are striking because they are being supported... it would be wonderful if the people actually united
and marched right up to the main doors... but the people... they just don't stand together.
In the end... who is to blame? The people themselves. Unfortunately, it's a disgrace.
And why?
Because they are afraid.
Conclusion:
It will never get better—it will only get worse. For everyone.
And when I was back home—and I hope this isn't misunderstood—I fought for every single right I had...
and if I were there now... I would fight just as hard.
Unfortunately... I couldn't rally the nation.

Best regards.

...I know there are still some good doctors out there...thank God for them...;-)

Jessica Adams7 said:Hi everyone:-),
I won't claim everything here is perfect, but when it comes to emergencies—like a tumor diagnosis—things get handled immediately.
Of course, you still have to wait for screenings... but I haven't run into major issues personally. The longest I ever waited was a month for a CT scan. And I've been living in the US for 13 years now.
Luck?!
There’s actually a new law coming out... nobody should be waiting more than four weeks for any kind of exam anymore. At least they are trying to do something for the people.

As for the lady who is so bitter... I am truly sorry about your mother, but I have massive respect for you and your courage.
I understand the other side too... those who are writing that there will be problems. Sure, there might be... but she decided to go "all in," and for that, HUGE RESPECT!!!!
If everyone stood up for their rights like this, maybe we would actually get something done. But looking at this thread... it's clear everyone is just afraid.
It doesn't matter... everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I know we are very small compared to the doctors... everyone has connections, even when it comes to lawyers, but...
And regarding those gentlemen...
Do you really think those people sleep soundly at night????????
I believe that even those doctors have a conscience somewhere deep down...
That alone is enough of a punishment!!!!
We all know how it is. There is no point in pretending things are fine. They aren't.
But for those of us who speak our minds so freely, unfortunately, we aren't going to change anything.
At least we stand by our principles and refuse to support this so-called system.
I stand by everything I've written here. It's about my father... I have plenty of proof.
So, if you don't like it, feel free to look away.
Regarding the topic of American medicine... I am a nurse myself, and I am highly respected here in the US.
I worked back in the old country. I saw it all and lived through it all. Dealing with doctors.
I would never work back there again, even if I had to live under a bridge.
People... both patients and nurses, simply aren't respected. Not even a little bit.
If things continue to be supported exactly as they are... well, you know... it's only going to get worse.
You see it for yourselves... they are striking because they are being supported... it would be wonderful if the people actually united
and marched right up to the main doors... but the people... they just don't stand together.
In the end... who is to blame? The people themselves. Unfortunately, it's a disgrace.
And why?
Because they are afraid.
Conclusion:
It will never get better—it will only get worse. For everyone.
And when I was back home—and I hope this isn't misunderstood—I fought for every single right I had...
and if I were there now... I would fight just as hard.
Unfortunately... I couldn't rally the nation.

Best regards.

Your solo crusade, compared to all this, is a bit like Don Quixote tilting at windmills. You won't get anywhere. It's basically Mission Impossible.
Until we see a collective shift in how people perceive what is considered normal behavior versus what isn't, we're just going to keep spinning our wheels.

I didn't ask for a transfer to the Infectious disease hospital because, honestly, I had no idea at the time that they couldn't even identify or manage sepsis over at Vinogradska Hospital. And frankly, where I choose to go isn't any of your business. Besides, Canada isn't exactly a long trip away, so I know I'll be welcome there. Plus, I have my European health insurance card ready to go. The way they treated my mom at Vinogradska was just... it was inhuman, really, mostly because they're dealing with that strike. That's just the truth. I find all your little excuses to be incredibly mundane.

There were just some things even my father couldn't get a grip on; they were just doing things wrong on their own terms, I suppose.

mistyjackal842 said:I didn't ask for a transfer to the Infectious disease hospital because, honestly, I had no idea at the time that they couldn't even identify or manage sepsis over at Vinogradska Hospital. And frankly, where I choose to go isn't any of your business. Besides, Canada isn't exactly a long trip away, so I know I'll be welcome there. Plus, I have my European health insurance card ready to go. The way they treated my mom at Vinogradska was just... it was inhuman, really, mostly because they're dealing with that strike. That's just the truth. I find all your little excuses to be incredibly mundane.

A lot of American doctors work in Canada, and even further afield. 😉 You mentioned your dad is a doctor himself—well, there are tons of medical congresses and seminars where doctors meet up and swap stories.
The catch? They all know each other.
People are trying to give you well-meaning advice here. My advice? Listen to them, and listen to the mods and admins too.
I don't know exactly where, but somewhere on this subforum, for those exact reasons, I almost got hit with a defamation claim. I'll try to dig that post up for you. After that, both I and my family members dealt with nothing but headaches, and since how that turned out, I'm strictly keeping those details to private messages rather than posting them publicly.

If your dad is a doctor, and you're insisting that's how it went down... look, my parents aren't doctors, but I'd move heaven and earth for them just to get a loved one moved to a place where I actually think they'd be better off.
You say your father couldn't influence things, but he could have. He's a doctor.

This is just unbelievable—is it even possible to get an urgent eye exam in this country? I’ll give you the short version of what happened. On Monday, July 20th, 2015, I went to my primary doctor because of some issues with my right eye—it felt like something was stuck in there or something. She prescribed some meds and told me if it wasn't better by Wednesday, I should head over to the Mayo Clinic. So, on July 22nd at 8:15 AM, I showed up at the Mayo Clinic eye clinic (without a referral), and man, the crowd outside the outpatient area was insane. People were lining up for urgent exams, and they wouldn't even let me ask a nurse if there was any point in waiting or if I'd actually see anyone. By 10:30 AM, I figured there was no way I was wasting my whole day waiting for an appointment that wasn't going to happen, so I just gave up and went to work. After my shift, I went back to my doctor to explain the mess, and she finally gave me a referral—which is only valid for 24 hours since it's for emergencies—and told me to go straight to the Mayo Clinic emergency eye clinic. Since my doctor worked afternoon shifts (and because of the morning disaster where I ended up working until 6 PM only to finally get that referral after 7 PM), I didn't get to the ER until 9:00 PM that night. I spent forever wandering around the hospital, hoping to run into a nurse, a porter, or maybe even a janitor just to ask where I was supposed to go, but I couldn't find a soul. I had to follow signs for about 30 minutes just to locate the eye clinic. When I finally found it, a nurse opened the door, and I was met by this incredibly "friendly" doctor. This "charming" ophthalmologist wouldn't even listen to me, let alone examine me. He just told me to come back tomorrow at 7:15 AM and promised I'd definitely be seen then. While he was busy explaining his decision, he kept using this weird jargon involving lunch and something else that made absolutely zero sense (!?). I mean, seriously, what basis does this guy have to decide I don't need medical help? Based on my hair? I might have understood if he had actually examined me first and *then* decided I should come back the next day. This "lovely" doctor at the Mayo Clinic eye clinic refused to see me, even though nobody was there—well, okay, there was one woman behind me who said she had a stye—but despite me having an emergency referral, he somehow decided through sheer magic that I didn't need an exam and sent me packing. I went home hoping the issue would just clear up on its own and that I wouldn't need our doctors, but unfortunately, it didn't. On Monday, July 27th, at 1:00 PM, I called the Mayo Clinic eye clinic to see if I could come in for an urgent exam without a referral, and they told me urgent exams are only done in the morning and to come back then. I don't get it—I wanted to come during their regular business hours which end at 4:00 PM, but apparently, for some reason, urgent exams are only in the morning, even though you can't even get seen in the morning either! It's absurd. I've been trying to get an eye exam for days because something is wrong with my vision (and since I can only see out of one eye, this is pretty huge for me), but I can't succeed because nobody at the Mayo Clinic wants to see me, whether I have a referral or not. It makes me wonder, what is a person (who doesn't have money to throw around) supposed to do in this country to get an urgent eye exam? And what's the point? Why am I even paying for supplemental health insurance? Has the Mayo Clinic eye clinic become a European center of excellence in what exactly? Arrogance and unprofessionalism? After all the wasted effort trying to get seen by those "experts" at the Mayo Clinic, I finally gave up and headed to the Sister of Mercy eye clinic, even though it's not even in my immediate area. They treated me with such kindness and professionalism. Honestly, I could hardly believe I was in the same country. The doctor saw me immediately, performed the exam, and gave me a diagnosis. If you ever need an urgent eye exam, just skip the Mayo Clinic—you'll do nothing but get frustrated and waste your time. That kind of arrogance and total lack of responsibility from the Mayo Clinic eye clinic isn't just a disgrace to the medical profession, it's a disgrace to people in general.

So, about two weeks ago, I went down to the local clinic near the Holy Spirit area to book a routine eye exam. They gave me an appointment for March 3rd, 2016, and let me pick whichever ophthalmologist I wanted. But, knowing how things go, this referral probably won't even be valid by then.

It’s kind of wild because just five years ago, my mom was scheduled for her exam and cataract surgery within just two months. I have no clue what changed in the system since then, other than hearing from the staff that her doctor actually moved away to work in Sweden. 😢

Ugh, honestly, they just don't want to deal with more than 15 patients a day—and that’s exactly why these waiting lists are blowing up when they used to be non-existent. Our doctors basically just want a massive paycheck, a cushy job, a cozy vibe, and constant respect. In a country where paying for health insurance is mandatory, this kind of attitude from our doctors is totally unacceptable. And as long as we just sit here quietly, complaining about nothing while paying into a system that seems designed only for the elite, our healthcare is just going to keep sliding downhill. Nobody needs medical help because they’re bored or just feeling fine—we need it because we’re actually sick. Waiting months, or even years, just to see a specialist is completely insane. Right now, our healthcare system is arguably worse than the one in the US; we're forced to pay into it, but that doesn't mean we'll actually get any help when we really need it.

Matthew Fox4 said:So, about two weeks ago, I went down to the local clinic near the Holy Spirit area to book a routine eye exam. They gave me an appointment for March 3rd, 2016, and let me pick whichever ophthalmologist I wanted. But, knowing how things go, this referral probably won't even be valid by then.

It’s kind of wild because just five years ago, my mom was scheduled for her exam and cataract surgery within just two months. I have no clue what changed in the system since then, other than hearing from the staff that her doctor actually moved away to work in Sweden. 😢

If I were you, I'd try booking an eye exam at the Sister of Mercy eye clinic; I'm pretty sure you won't be waiting nearly as long there. You actually have the right to pick which hospital or specialist you want to see. Maybe give them a call.
Sister of Mercy Hospital
Eye clinic
Vinogradska 29, 10000 Washington, D.C., USA
Tel: ++ 1 202 555 0123

narucivanje.vinogradska@kbcsm.hr
Phone numbers for info only:
Tel: (202) 555 0193
Tel: (202) 555 0158
A referral is required for booking.

It’s honestly heartbreaking how little human life seems to matter around here sometimes. I’ve only ever had decent experiences with one hospital in Washington, D.C., and maybe one other place where I was only there for a very short time. They tell you that you have to go to the emergency room in your own local area, but I just can't bring myself to do that—I lost my mother in such a tragic way at a local hospital during a strike. How can we even fix this? Maybe we can't. I know of one lady who actually had to travel all the way to San Francisco for her chemotherapy just because she fell out of favor with the staff at her local facility. Meanwhile, politicians get every single test they need immediately, regardless of whether it's strictly necessary or not. They don't have to stick to their local zip code. I'm not even sure how migrants are handled, because from what I saw last summer, they certainly aren't treated as locals, even when staying in New Chicago. Is this perhaps the moment to consider traveling to Canada for a serious medical issue? It breaks my heart to think that if we had just taken my mom to Canada during that massive strike back in the fall of 2013, things might have been different.

I had a similar diagnosis myself last year after dealing with chest pains, relaxation issues, and an axis shift—so now it's the left axis and an incomplete right bundle branch block. I didn't receive any real explanation at all, because, clearly, they just didn't care about me. I’m living in constant fear, especially now that I've had lung pains for the third time. I changed my general practitioner, but I don't even know what to say... I guess it's just awkward for her to say something like that to a 44-year-old. Although, I suppose I have had good experiences there until now.

brightgull95 said:Then just don't use it! This time you didn't even use "quote-in-quote," you just replied directly inside my own post, which makes it a total pain for me when I try to respond. Just reply without any quoting at all and we're good, okay?

Ever since those bears showed up. Honestly, if they're from the Midwest, they'll probably be more helpful than some doctors have been so far.

The guy made a medical error, and the least you can do is file a complaint with the medical board. Because you should have been transferred to a hospital capable of performing a coronary angiography immediately during that first admission, simply because...

...you were already having an infarct back then. Myocardial, obviously. Since the troponin levels weren't staying constant but were showing clear dynamics. And I'm assuming the unit is micrograms per liter here—anything over 2.5 to 4.0 is already significantly elevated. There was a downward trend, sure, but there was still movement. Which proves it was an infarct—an NSTEMI in this case—and the acute phase had already passed by the time you hit the hospital. So, the doc screwed up even worse than a VAR call that just disallowed a perfectly good goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Did they happen to check your creatine kinase (CK) levels too?

Great, she can sue the medical board. What will that achieve? Nothing. Though I guess it would actually mean something if they actually handed out punishments around here.

Complaining about everything isn't going to do anyone any good, I really don't think so. You can tell just from what was written above. People make mistakes every single day. For me, the thing that jumped out most from the previous post was that mention of the gastroscopy. I mean, what does that even have to do with heart issues? Nothing, really. But regardless of that—and even if I hadn't written that long message about my mom—I still wouldn't want to go there. I simply don't want to, because I feel like if they weren't willing to help her, they won't be willing to help me either. There was this one lady who had a falling out with them, and she ended up having to go all the way to San Francisco for her chemotherapy. So, a solution clearly exists, and I'm going to find mine too. Just like she found hers.

mistyjackal842 said:Complaining about everything isn't going to do anyone any good, I really don't think so. You can tell just from what was written above. People make mistakes every single day. For me, the thing that jumped out most from the previous post was that mention of the gastroscopy. I mean, what does that even have to do with heart issues? Nothing, really. But regardless of that—and even if I hadn't written that long message about my mom—I still wouldn't want to go there. I simply don't want to, because I feel like if they weren't willing to help her, they won't be willing to help me either. There was this one lady who had a falling out with them, and she ended up having to go all the way to San Francisco for her chemotherapy. So, a solution clearly exists, and I'm going to find mine too. Just like she found hers.

Unfortunately, it won't work, but people need to start doing it, maybe then they'll finally wake up.

Brandon Newman95 said:Great, she can sue the medical board. What will that achieve? Nothing. Though I guess it would actually mean something if they actually handed out punishments around here.

We’ll find out once they decide whether or not to take any further action on this. But look, what this *will* achieve is making someone—unless they are genuinely so delusional that they believe they are incapable of being wrong—actually stop and think about whether another one of these complaints is going to pop up. Because sure, you can report him to the HLK, but a lawsuit—even though I used that word loosely earlier—is a different beast entirely. And that is just the first, most basic step. A step that, frankly, has plenty of merit if one were to file a legitimate lawsuit with the proper authorities.

It really depends on the department or even the specific hospital; some are top-tier, while others are absolute disasters.
That’s just how it works everywhere... everyone's going to have their own take, whether it's a success story or a total nightmare.