HCA Chippenham and Johnston-Willis Hospitals

On June 9th I was scheduled and had surgery for Cervical Spine Surgery by Dr Joshua H [redacted] (who I would like to note is an excellent surgeon .) A week prior to my surgery, I had my Pre-Admission appt which was with RN Karen W [redacted] and Mr Ernest P [redacted] which I feel your facility should know just how horribly they are conducting business for youIn compliance with what I was told, I brought in a printed list of my medications, (I was given a choice a list or my meds.) The list included my name, dob, date and a list of all meds, strength, dosage, and who prescribed them Due to surgery and some complications, I was told days earlier to stop taking certain onesI kept them on the list but mentioned why I was currently not taking themW [redacted] went over and over the list and kept questioning me as if she did not understand, the things I had writtenIt took her upwards of an hour to complete just my medication listThe same paperwork I had given to Dr H [redacted] office a month earlier and had been told what an amazing, easy to read, well detailed and list it wasWhen I was first taken to the room, I had told Ms W [redacted] that I knew my blood sugar would be high due to the step down course of prednisone I had been prescribed within the last a month and cortisone shots due to the pain and inflammation that was brining me to have surgery She snapped at me and said, "WELL, we are still doing your blood sugar test." And also, "Why would they give those to you if you were going to have surgery?" I kindly told her they had not realized I was going to have surgery until later And I knew your dept would still do the blood work, I expected them too, they needed to, but I just was trying to alert everyone why it would be highDuring her hour with me, Ms W [redacted] had said so many things that were rude and out of line that it really got to me One was commenting on my faulty medication list, a continuation f rolling her eyes at me and such, that I finally became upset and began to cry You need to understand, I had been in extreme pain for a long time and was really at the end of my rope I was not there for a battle, I was there to do what was needed so I could come and have surgery and get better One thinks of the Pre-Admis team as a sort of welcoming committee as well as doing the early work I still do not understand what on earth happened that day Prior to my appt with Pre-Admis I had see Ms Ingrid G [redacted] who goes over preparing for what you need to do once you are released and to keep from causing problems to your surgical sight, etcI had no problems with her, and that appt went very wellWhen Mr P [redacted] finally came in, he seemed to continue the same rude, ways of Ms W*** I felt he actually tried taking the road of a doctor, his questions were totally irrelevant to my Pre-Admis work, but more on the line of trying to out guess my doctorHe asked over times if I had mental illness or depressionNo I kept telling him, I do notHe wanted to know about why I took certain medications, most which are due to nerve path related issues, such as Gabapentine When I explained that to him, he told me it was for convulsions and then questioned me several times more if I had seizures or convulsionsSince I was going to have spinal surgery, nerve pain would be a very common problem from a person to have Then he said, "I think I know what your problem is." And he began checking me how my doctors in the past have done for FibromyalgiaIt was once believed that I had FMS but instead they now know I have LupusFMS and Lupus have similar symptoms, only Lupus is much worse I take oral medication for Lupus and also monthly infusions of Benlysta I let him know I knew what he was doing, I did not have that kind of pain, nor was mine semetricalHe also checked my neck for pain, ability to rotate my head and my pain levelI felt as if he was trying to re-diagnose me for something my Doctor = Spine Specialist had already concluded through his physical examination, X-rays, and MRIP [redacted] next made a comment about, "Well, if she cannot take NSIDS, then what are "we" going to give her post op?" What the heck? He is not prescribing my meds after surgery What is it of his concern, what my doctor does My doctor knew my NSID allergy and I was given appropriate medication post op If it were at all possible I would have left that appointment then and never come back The truth is after plus years of chronic debilitating pain, at last a doctor had finally properly diagnosed me and JW was his hospital of preferenceIf not for Dr H [redacted] I would not have completed my Pre-Admissions nor returned to JW Hospital for surgery And just so you know, I spoke with Dr H [redacted] and his nurse today about this and they assured me this is not the first time they have had run in with this departmentThere were other things that happened, these are just some and more than enough That day as the day was growing late, and before Mr P***, he looked at the cane I had brought with me and said, "I see you are using a cane, this means you fall a lot?" I told him I do not fall, I simply had been in so much leg pain that I was using it for supportHe continue to stress that "This means you fall." After or four more times restating what I had the first time I was fed upI finally was so angry and said in a not so nice way but to make a point and to shut him downl "Yeah, Yeah, your right, I fall all the time." W [redacted] and P [redacted] determined that I needed another set of x-rays before leaving But by then Ms W [redacted] could not find Mr P [redacted] for his signature because he had rushed out when it got near 4:30, his time to get off work So she tried checking to see if JW had any previously done x-rays on me of that area When information came back it turned out they did have but they were taken in (or about them.) Both W [redacted] and P [redacted] had told me earlier that I could not have been in such pain for so long, but now there was proof, I had been seeking help way back then, over years agoSo I said to Ms W***, "See, just like I told you, I have been suffering a long time." She nodding in agreement and looked a bit sheepish, noting I was rightAs I said, I came to my appointment but I also was ill, in great pain, and worn out from having to cut back on necessary meds which could not be taken before my surgery, etc I can not begin to outline to you the long list of painful complications that have gone on due to my spinal cord injury Thankfully today due to my surgery most have turned themselves around But I can tell you that I was worn out from them at that point, and the stenosis was so bad, I could feel I was not getting enough oxygen and blood to my brainI have worked hard all this time to keep pushing myself forward and not give up Still, I was in no condition for such a molishous undeserving battle or to defend myself against something so totally inappropriate to say the leastAnd I did not have the energy to set things straight while they were happeningIt was while I was having the x-rays taken that I realized I never got their names And by the time I was ready to leave it was nearing 5: Everyone should have been gone, but for some reason the head nurse from the Pre-Admission floor still was thereRN Kelly (forgot last name.) She was exceptional, a very sweet lady, who sat down with me and helped me a great deal and let me know, what happened was not how things should have gone I greatly admire that she stayed long enough to keep answer questions and help me to feel betterI hope to never meet W [redacted] or P***, and if I do so at JW I will request to have someone else attend to my needs The same would go for any of my family or friendsI personally feel they should be fired or at the least be given desk jobs where they do not deal with patientsAs for my other experiences with JW hospital from my admission on my surgical day (June 9th) all who cared for me, the hospital itself, etc on through to my discharge, were all outstanding I will recommend JW to others but make them leery of the Pre-Admis department employees I mentioned (W [redacted] and P***.) Please know that I would be happy to speak with you about this more should you choose, though I do not want to speak to either P [redacted] or W***Most Sincerely, Jerri Lyn G [redacted]

On June 9th I was scheduled and had surgery for Cervical Spine Surgery by Dr Joshua H[redacted] (who I would like to note is an excellent surgeon .) A week prior to my surgery, I had my Pre-Admission appt which was with RN Karen W[redacted] and Mr Ernest P[redacted] which I feel your facility should know just how horribly they are conducting business for you.
In compliance with what I was told, I brought in a printed list of my medications, (I was given a choice a list or my meds.) The list included my name, dob, date and a list of all meds, strength, dosage, and who prescribed them. Due to surgery and some complications, I was told days earlier to stop taking certain ones. I kept them on the list but mentioned why I was currently not taking them. W[redacted] went over and over the list and kept questioning me as if she did not understand, the things I had written. It took her upwards of an hour to complete just my medication list. The same paperwork I had given to Dr H[redacted] office a month earlier and had been told what an amazing, easy to read, well detailed and list it was.
When I was first taken to the room, I had told Ms W[redacted] that I knew my blood sugar would be high due to the step down course of prednisone I had been prescribed within the last a month and 2 cortisone shots due to the pain and inflammation that was brining me to have surgery. She snapped at me and said, "WELL, we are still doing your blood sugar test." And also, "Why would they give those to you if you were going to have surgery?" I kindly told her they had not realized I was going to have surgery until later. And I knew your dept would still do the blood work, I expected them too, they needed to, but I just was trying to alert everyone why it would be high.
During her hour with me, Ms W[redacted] had said so many things that were rude and out of line that it really got to me. One was commenting on my faulty medication list, a continuation f rolling her eyes at me and such, that I finally became upset and began to cry. You need to understand, I had been in extreme pain for a long time and was really at the end of my rope. I was not there for a battle, I was there to do what was needed so I could come and have surgery and get better. One thinks of the Pre-Admis team as a sort of welcoming committee as well as doing the early work. I still do not understand what on earth happened that day. Prior to my appt with Pre-Admis I had see Ms Ingrid G[redacted] who goes over preparing for what you need to do once you are released and to keep from causing problems to your surgical sight, etc. I had no problems with her, and that appt went very well.
When Mr P[redacted] finally came in, he seemed to continue the same rude, ways of Ms W[redacted]. I felt he actually tried taking the road of a doctor, his questions were totally irrelevant to my Pre-Admis work, but more on the line of trying to out guess my doctor..
He asked over 3 times if I had mental illness or depression. No I kept telling him, I do not. He wanted to know about why I took certain medications, most which are due to nerve path related issues, such as Gabapentine. When I explained that to him, he told me it was for convulsions and then questioned me several times more if I had seizures or convulsions. Since I was going to have spinal surgery, nerve pain would be a very common problem from a person to have. Then he said, "I think I know what your problem is." And he began checking me how my doctors in the past have done for Fibromyalgia. It was once believed that I had FMS but instead they now know I have Lupus. FMS and Lupus have similar symptoms, only Lupus is much worse. I take oral medication for Lupus and also monthly infusions of Benlysta. I let him know I knew what he was doing, I did not have that kind of pain, nor was mine semetrical. He also checked my neck for pain, ability to rotate my head and my pain level. I felt as if he was trying to re-diagnose me for something my Doctor = Spine Specialist had already concluded through his physical examination, X-rays, and MRI.
P[redacted] next made a comment about, "Well, if she cannot take NSIDS, then what are "we" going to give her post op?" What the heck? He is not prescribing my meds after surgery. What is it of his concern, what my doctor does. My doctor knew my NSID allergy and I was given appropriate medication post op. If it were at all possible I would have left that appointment then and never come back. The truth is after 25 plus years of chronic debilitating pain, at last a doctor had finally properly diagnosed me and JW was his hospital of preference. If not for Dr H[redacted] I would not have completed my Pre-Admissions nor returned to JW Hospital for surgery. And just so you know, I spoke with Dr H[redacted] and his nurse today about this and they assured me this is not the first time they have had run in with this department.
There were other things that happened, these are just some and more than enough. That day as the day was growing late, and before Mr P[redacted], he looked at the cane I had brought with me and said, "I see you are using a cane, this means you fall a lot?" I told him I do not fall, I simply had been in so much leg pain that I was using it for support. He continue to stress that "This means you fall." After 3 or four more times restating what I had the first time I was fed up. I finally was so angry and said in a not so nice way but to make a point and to shut him down. l "Yeah, Yeah, your right, I fall all the time."
W[redacted] and P[redacted] determined that I needed another set of x-rays before leaving. But by then Ms W[redacted] could not find Mr P[redacted] for his signature because he had rushed out when it got near 4:30, his time to get off work. So she tried checking to see if JW had any previously done x-rays on me of that area. When information came back it turned out they did have but they were taken in 1994 (or about them.) Both W[redacted] and P[redacted] had told me earlier that I could not have been in such pain for so long, but now there was proof, I had been seeking help way back then, over 20 years ago. So I said to Ms W[redacted], "See, just like I told you, I have been suffering a long time." She nodding in agreement and looked a bit sheepish, noting I was right.
As I said, I came to my appointment but I also was ill, in great pain, and worn out from having to cut back on necessary meds which could not be taken before my surgery, etc. I can not begin to outline to you the long list of painful complications that have gone on due to my spinal cord injury. Thankfully today due to my surgery most have turned themselves around.. But I can tell you that I was worn out from them at that point, and the stenosis was so bad, I could feel I was not getting enough oxygen and blood to my brain. I have worked hard all this time to keep pushing myself forward and not give up. Still, I was in no condition for such a molishous undeserving battle or to defend myself against something so totally inappropriate to say the least. And I did not have the energy to set things straight while they were happening.
It was while I was having the x-rays taken that I realized I never got their names. And by the time I was ready to leave it was nearing 5:30. Everyone should have been gone, but for some reason the head nurse from the Pre-Admission floor still was there. RN Kelly (forgot last name.) She was exceptional, a very sweet lady, who sat down with me and helped me a great deal and let me know, what happened was not how things should have gone. I greatly admire that she stayed long enough to keep answer questions and help me to feel better.
I hope to never meet W[redacted] or P[redacted], and if I do so at JW I will request to have someone else attend to my needs. The same would go for any of my family or friends. I personally feel they should be fired or at the least be given desk jobs where they do not deal with patients.
As for my other experiences with JW hospital from my admission on my surgical day (June 9th) all who cared for me, the hospital itself, etc on through to my discharge, were all outstanding. I will recommend JW to others but make them leery of the Pre-Admis department employees I mentioned (W[redacted] and P[redacted].)
Please know that I would be happy to speak with you about this more should you choose, though I do not want to speak to either P[redacted] or W[redacted].
Most Sincerely,
Jerri Lyn G[redacted]

On June 9th I was scheduled and had surgery for Cervical Spine Surgery by Dr Joshua H[redacted] (who I would like to note is an excellent surgeon .) A week prior to my surgery, I had my Pre-Admission appt which was with RN Karen W[redacted] and Mr Ernest P[redacted] which I feel your facility should know just how horribly they are conducting business for you.
In compliance with what I was told, I brought in a printed list of my medications, (I was given a choice a list or my meds.) The list included my name, dob, date and a list of all meds, strength, dosage, and who prescribed them. Due to surgery and some complications, I was told days earlier to stop taking certain ones. I kept them on the list but mentioned why I was currently not taking them. W[redacted] went over and over the list and kept questioning me as if she did not understand, the things I had written. It took her upwards of an hour to complete just my medication list. The same paperwork I had given to Dr H[redacted] office a month earlier and had been told what an amazing, easy to read, well detailed and list it was.
When I was first taken to the room, I had told Ms W[redacted] that I knew my blood sugar would be high due to the step down course of prednisone I had been prescribed within the last a month and 2 cortisone shots due to the pain and inflammation that was brining me to have surgery. She snapped at me and said, "WELL, we are still doing your blood sugar test." And also, "Why would they give those to you if you were going to have surgery?" I kindly told her they had not realized I was going to have surgery until later. And I knew your dept would still do the blood work, I expected them too, they needed to, but I just was trying to alert everyone why it would be high.
During her hour with me, Ms W[redacted] had said so many things that were rude and out of line that it really got to me. One was commenting on my faulty medication list, a continuation f rolling her eyes at me and such, that I finally became upset and began to cry. You need to understand, I had been in extreme pain for a long time and was really at the end of my rope. I was not there for a battle, I was there to do what was needed so I could come and have surgery and get better. One thinks of the Pre-Admis team as a sort of welcoming committee as well as doing the early work. I still do not understand what on earth happened that day. Prior to my appt with Pre-Admis I had see Ms Ingrid G[redacted] who goes over preparing for what you need to do once you are released and to keep from causing problems to your surgical sight, etc. I had no problems with her, and that appt went very well.
When Mr P[redacted] finally came in, he seemed to continue the same rude, ways of Ms W[redacted]. I felt he actually tried taking the road of a doctor, his questions were totally irrelevant to my Pre-Admis work, but more on the line of trying to out guess my doctor..
He asked over 3 times if I had mental illness or depression. No I kept telling him, I do not. He wanted to know about why I took certain medications, most which are due to nerve path related issues, such as Gabapentine. When I explained that to him, he told me it was for convulsions and then questioned me several times more if I had seizures or convulsions. Since I was going to have spinal surgery, nerve pain would be a very common problem from a person to have. Then he said, "I think I know what your problem is." And he began checking me how my doctors in the past have done for Fibromyalgia. It was once believed that I had FMS but instead they now know I have Lupus. FMS and Lupus have similar symptoms, only Lupus is much worse. I take oral medication for Lupus and also monthly infusions of Benlysta. I let him know I knew what he was doing, I did not have that kind of pain, nor was mine semetrical. He also checked my neck for pain, ability to rotate my head and my pain level. I felt as if he was trying to re-diagnose me for something my Doctor = Spine Specialist had already concluded through his physical examination, X-rays, and MRI.
P[redacted] next made a comment about, "Well, if she cannot take NSIDS, then what are "we" going to give her post op?" What the heck? He is not prescribing my meds after surgery. What is it of his concern, what my doctor does. My doctor knew my NSID allergy and I was given appropriate medication post op. If it were at all possible I would have left that appointment then and never come back. The truth is after 25 plus years of chronic debilitating pain, at last a doctor had finally properly diagnosed me and JW was his hospital of preference. If not for Dr H[redacted] I would not have completed my Pre-Admissions nor returned to JW Hospital for surgery. And just so you know, I spoke with Dr H[redacted] and his nurse today about this and they assured me this is not the first time they have had run in with this department.
There were other things that happened, these are just some and more than enough. That day as the day was growing late, and before Mr P[redacted], he looked at the cane I had brought with me and said, "I see you are using a cane, this means you fall a lot?" I told him I do not fall, I simply had been in so much leg pain that I was using it for support. He continue to stress that "This means you fall." After 3 or four more times restating what I had the first time I was fed up. I finally was so angry and said in a not so nice way but to make a point and to shut him down. l "Yeah, Yeah, your right, I fall all the time."
W[redacted] and P[redacted] determined that I needed another set of x-rays before leaving. But by then Ms W[redacted] could not find Mr P[redacted] for his signature because he had rushed out when it got near 4:30, his time to get off work. So she tried checking to see if JW had any previously done x-rays on me of that area. When information came back it turned out they did have but they were taken in 1994 (or about them.) Both W[redacted] and P[redacted] had told me earlier that I could not have been in such pain for so long, but now there was proof, I had been seeking help way back then, over 20 years ago. So I said to Ms W[redacted], "See, just like I told you, I have been suffering a long time." She nodding in agreement and looked a bit sheepish, noting I was right.
As I said, I came to my appointment but I also was ill, in great pain, and worn out from having to cut back on necessary meds which could not be taken before my surgery, etc. I can not begin to outline to you the long list of painful complications that have gone on due to my spinal cord injury. Thankfully today due to my surgery most have turned themselves around.. But I can tell you that I was worn out from them at that point, and the stenosis was so bad, I could feel I was not getting enough oxygen and blood to my brain. I have worked hard all this time to keep pushing myself forward and not give up. Still, I was in no condition for such a molishous undeserving battle or to defend myself against something so totally inappropriate to say the least. And I did not have the energy to set things straight while they were happening.
It was while I was having the x-rays taken that I realized I never got their names. And by the time I was ready to leave it was nearing 5:30. Everyone should have been gone, but for some reason the head nurse from the Pre-Admission floor still was there. RN Kelly (forgot last name.) She was exceptional, a very sweet lady, who sat down with me and helped me a great deal and let me know, what happened was not how things should have gone. I greatly admire that she stayed long enough to keep answer questions and help me to feel better.
I hope to never meet W[redacted] or P[redacted], and if I do so at JW I will request to have someone else attend to my needs. The same would go for any of my family or friends. I personally feel they should be fired or at the least be given desk jobs where they do not deal with patients.
As for my other experiences with JW hospital from my admission on my surgical day (June 9th) all who cared for me, the hospital itself, etc on through to my discharge, were all outstanding. I will recommend JW to others but make them leery of the Pre-Admis department employees I mentioned (W[redacted] and P[redacted].)
Please know that I would be happy to speak with you about this more should you choose, though I do not want to speak to either P[redacted] or W[redacted].
Most Sincerely,
Jerri Lyn G[redacted]