UPMC WESTERN MARYLAND

I understand that hospitals can be busy, and that wait times are sometimes unavoidable. However, I wanted to share my experience from November 5th because it left me deeply concerned. I arrived with chest and abdominal pain and waited in the emergency room for over three hours. The only time I was brought back was to have blood drawn. I eventually had to leave before being seen by a doctor, and I’m assuming my blood sample will now be discarded. During my wait, I noticed an elderly patient who appeared to be in very poor condition sitting on a bed near the bathrooms in the waiting area. It was heartbreaking to see someone that unwell left unattended. The waiting room was also extremely cold so much so that it felt uncomfortable for everyone sitting there. Communication was also lacking. I wasn’t informed of my vital signs, my status in the queue, or what to expect next. When my blood was drawn, the needle was removed rather roughly, though I didn’t make an issue of it at the time. I know that many healthcare professionals work hard and care deeply for their patients, but experiences like this can make people lose trust in the system. Patients aren’t just numbers — we’re human beings who come seeking help and compassion. I hope this feedback can help improve communication and patient care for others in the future. I’ve been to other facilities, such as Keyser, and they seem to have more effective processes in place. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I was here October 28th 2021, with extreme pain in my right side,nausea,vomiting, extremely weak. I had been diagnosed with covid about 3 weeks prior. I was Left in a room off the waiting room for almost 4 hours in a fetal position on the floor in excruciating pain and vomiting. Noone ever checked on me till they came to get me. 3 nurses tried to IV me. I have very deep veins. The one nurse should have lost her job.That night. She should not be dealing with patients at all. They kept saying I was moving no matter how still I layed. The female "doctor" did a CT scan. Said "your constipated. But dont feel stupid. We've had people come to er for that before." I said REPEATEDLY "I dont feel comfortable going home." She replied "well, there is nothing there that's gonna kill you. Go home and drink citrate magnesium and take stool softener. " When I went to leave still doubled over in pain and crying,they physically got in front of me to stop me and said I had to go out some obscure back door because I had covid.( I was 3 weeks into covid and had had the fusion treatment) they sent me out the door that led to the back yard of the hospital at 2am. I had to walk all the way around in excruciating pain. I went home. I drank the stuff. I laid on my couch literally (which i didn't know yet,dying) Vomiting and passing out from pain. By 7pm the next night,my husband called the ambulance. I freaked completely out thinking I was going back to this horrible place. They were kind enough to take me to winchester. Where I was diagnosed with a blood clot in my right kidney,at which point Dr's and nurses came from everywhere. It had been better than 24 hrs since my pain had started,and my life was in serious danger When I told the hospital staff at winchester what happened, the hospitalist said they were calling cumberland. Whether they did. I don't know. But i did get a letter from these idiots that I didn't owe them any money from that trip. I bet!!! I should have sued but didn't. Now I am in therapy for PTSD. Yes, that's how bad it was. I haven't given half the details. Anyway,I have just now been able to talk bout this. That's why I'm doing it. To let others know that you could literally lose ypur life at this hospital. Very very rude,snobby,untrained,dont know what they're doing Dr's and staff. They treated me like I was a leper because I had covid. I promise you on my lord and savior, I never once got rude with these people. As a matter of fact, I tried to win them with kindness thinking I might be treated with a little more respect. But,alas, they have no respect for anyone or the value of life. Now, with therapy,I just wanted to speak out to save others. To late to sue. As, the blood clot hospitalized me for 7 days,and I had to be on blood thinners over a year. A PE hit my left lung 1 night Into my hospital stay. Which would not have happened had I been started on heparin and cumberland staff would have responded the way winchester did,hours earlier. Then i just couldn't talk about this. To a lawyer or anyone. Completely traumatized i was. Im glad I'm able to tell this story now to save others from seeking treatment from this house of horrors and their torture chamber ER. I do not remember any names, as I left the hospital crying,physically shaking,confused, and in extreme pain! UMPC should be shut down permanently before they can torture more people. Costing them possibly their life and sanity. My life was saved. My sanity from that 9 hours,is another story. I laid in a room off the er for over 3 hours. On the floor. In a fetal position turning grey. I tried to come out to find a couch. I was promptly escorted back to the little room. At that time my life was CLEARLY in danger. I only wanted a couch so I didn't have to lay on floor anymore. After 3 hrs. I didn't complain or even ask how much longer. I only wanted a comfortable place to lay. So,NO. I do not wish to speak to anyone associated with that place. You people have no idea what I suffered at the hands of your "professional " staff.

It’s It’s really sad how long everything takes here. We’ve been in the ER for nine hours and still don’t have a diagnosis. The CT scan has already been read by the radiologist, but because they don’t communicate directly with the ER staff, the results rely on an electronic system. Unfortunately, that system has been down for several hours. This means that anyone who has had a scan or an X-ray is stuck waiting with no information, simply because the results aren’t reaching the care team. It’s extremely concerning that a basic systems issue can delay care this badly. Even efforts to improve seem to fall short at this hospital.

Visiting the area and needed emergency care. Received prompt, efficient service. Everyone we dealt with from doctors and nurses to administrators and support personnel were friendly, professional and caring. Very happy with the experience and would definitely use again if the need arose. Thanks UPMC Western Maryland!

If i could give this place a negative review i would. Spent 4 hours before i was seen by a doctor, they barely check me out dont look into any of my symptoms in depth and say "youre good! We'll do some paperwork and get you out of here"