I am a 47 year old woman, who is disabled. I have high blood pressure. I had very bad food poisoning and called a ambulance. I was admitted, and the doctor told me that I had eaten something bad. He kept me there, giving me test after test that I didn't need, and did not for the whole five days that I was there give me my blood pressure pills. When I asked, I was told that I was being argumentative. I tried to explain that I have a primary doctor, and a medical list. He completely ignored my wishes and continued not helping me. I would not recommend this hospital to my worst enemy.

I understand so many negative reviews - people are generally only at a hospital during stressful times. My father had a stroke and was brought to Albany Med from Ellis, and spent a month in ICU and a few more in normal treatment before a bed opened up at a rehab facility. I was at Albany Med 6 days a week for several hours at a time after work and not once was I disappointed in the treatment or service offered. The facility was always clean, the nurses and attendants were always responsive and understanding, and always did their absolute best to accommodate everyone - even when under pressure from HUNDREDS of other families in the same situation. There are literally HUNDREDS of processes and procedures that hospitals must adhere to, from intake to release, that are designed to protect the patients, families, and the hospital itself, and many times people fail to realize that these policies aren't hoops that can just be jumped through at a whim. The staff at this hospital have saved more lives and eased the suffering of so many more; for people to leave a 1-star rant because an over-worked nurse wasn't able to bring them an apple juice in a timely manner is absurd.

Yesterday was a lot. Had a bit of a health scare (all good though), but the level of disrespect that I received from the staff (doctors and nurses) at this hospital is something I'm still digesting. I was assumed to be homeless and drug seeking because they asked me if I was in pain after I told them I was. I am not homeless, nor was I drug seeking. I was also constantly mis-gendered even though I corrected them (politely) repeatedly.

Here is the problem with that. I was vulnerable. I was alone while I was there. A few times I wanted to just sign myself out and go home and hope this got better on it's own. The experience I endured at Albany Med was degrading and lonely.

People get so wrapped up in things that look different, but forget that at the end of it all, our bodies is no different from anyone else's.

People deserve to be treated as a human being no mater what. If I was homeless and drug seeking, I still would deserve the status of human. Our health care professionals need to be better and do better.

My elderly mother was a volunteer chaplain for Albany Med for a few years in the 90's.She used to come home crying and telling me the story of the HIV baby who passed away or grief of a family after losing their mother. It was a difficult, unpaid, thankless job but she did it. Recently my mother has become ill. She was in Albany med for a little over a week. During that time I had to call patient relations due to her poor care. She then had an assessment done for in home care, which she completely qualified for and was told she was all set for a referral. They discharge her one day after a horrible diagnosis, did not give her an oncology referral, did not give her the in home care referral and have been nothing but combative and rude when I try to get assistance from them. I have several calls to the social work department that went unreturned. If this is how someone associated with the hospital, that volunteered and gave her time so freely, imagine how they would treat you or your family member.

Was very excited to learn of this wonderful option for families with children in need of emergency care. Especially since the website boosts ‘ready access’ to services - any parent would be thrilled at not having their child suffer through long waits in the waitingroom, especially while sick or injured, in an unfamiliar place. That was just what we were hoping for when we brought our 4 year old on a Monday evening. Instead, the intake (possibly, nurse?) coordinator, recommended alternate care, before our daughter was examined, or even left the waiting room! She said that the current wait time was at least four hours. She instead suggested calling our pediatrician’s on-call for an immediate morning appointment or urgent care, when they open. Seriously? In truth, I appreciated her honesty and everyone was polite and professional BUT if you’re scared/worried/concerned enough to bring your child to the ER, do you really want to be told there is a 4-5 hr wait time and recommended to go elsewhere without being seen?
I’m sure (or, at least, I hope) that this is simply the result of a new practice working out the kinks but, when is okay to work though the kinks when it comes to the care of children?
Back to St. Peter’s, until I hear better....

UPDATE: after leaving AlbanyMed, we stopped at St. Peter’s ER and within 20 minutes of arriving, we were triaged and given a room. At least we have two hospitals within blocks of each other.