Monongahela Valley Hospital

On August 2, 2018 while traveling I was admitted to the hospital after an ER visit. I have nothing but respect for the hospital staff--housekeeping through nurses and physicians--who were very professional and caring. My stay was above average in all respects (I've been unfortunate enough to be treated in enough hospitals to know), and for the size hospital MVH is the services provided were handled professionally and with compassion.

Arrived at ER and was treated for a urinary tract infection that had gone systemic, then sent to the floor with an order for Dilaudid every four hours, as needed. Once on the floor, Dr. Violago presented herself, removed the order for Dilaudid and replaced it with Toradol. The chills and pain increased and I asked for the Dilaudid. That's when the nurses informed me of the Toradol. I took the Toradol, waited a while, then told the nurses the Toradol did nothing. I also asked for a heavy blanket of the sort used in ICU. I was told they would contact Dr. Violago, and that they didn't have a heavy ICU blanket. Dr. Violago could not be found at the hospital and did not answer her cell phone. I told the nurses to get my paperwork ready, that I'm leaving. So, I left and arrived at another hospital with a temperature of 101.5. This is the same Mon Valley Hospital where, several years prior, I presented at the ER with chest pains. Once heart was ruled-out I was admitted and a doctor I could barely understand told me they were going to do x-rays or MRI of my back, which I told them had occasionally bothered me. I refused, removed the heart monitor, and walked out to the nurses' station. The telemetry unit didn't even know I had removed the monitor. I returned to the room and related to my roommate, who indeed had a heart attack earlier, what had just transpired. He said, "Well, that makes me feel real good."

I was admitted to the hospital after I had a severe asthma attack my heart rate was really high and I couldn't breath. They refused to give me anything to help the cough which was causing me to vomit in my oxygen mask. I couldn't sleep and they told me I had to wait 12 hours before I was allowed anything not even Tylenol. I do not recommend this place to anyone. There's a reason they are nicknamed deathvalley. The food is horrible the staff is horrible they ask what they can do to make you feel better and you tell them then they say no you can't have that for 12 hours. I took the cough meds 5 hours ago what cough medicine says you can't take for 17 hours.

The ER is terrible. Multiple times I have went there and have been misdiagnosed. Today a family member went there with an obvious growth in their neck and it was swollen at the bottom, they diagnosed it simply as "neck pain". The visit was a waste of time and money because we are still unsure of what the cause of this growth is.

I was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at Mon Valley Hospital in June 2018 and have been a patient there ever since. The care and compassion of everyone that I have dealt with has been top notch and 2nd to none. One of my nurses, Alaina K., on the 6th floor here at Mon Valley, she was my rock before, during, and after getting the news about my diagnosis. She gave me nothing but the utmost respect, care and compassion that anyone could want when receiving such life altering news. Not to exclude all the other nurses that were absolutely caring, compassionate, and wonderful dealing with me for a whole week while i was given all my testing to try to figure me out. Even the interns they had assisting their nurses were absolutely awesome. Every department I went thru during my stay, such as, x-ray, mri, cat scans, biopsy, everyone was absolutely awesome. The Cancer Center here at Mon Valley Hospital, I can't type enough words to express my gratitude towards how caring and compassionate and knowledgeable and wonderful everyone has been with me and my family in both the Radiation and Oncology Departments. Dr. Isaac and his team in the Radiation Department including Lori, Debbie, the (2)Chris' and way too many other names to type, but all have treated me as they would their own family or friends. Dr. Tonkonow and his Oncology Team including Loretta, Jane, Jessica, again the list is endless of wonderful, knowledgeable, compassionate, people that he has on his staff as well. I'm sure they don't get to hear it enough, and I hope they read this and know they have people out there that they have either treated or they are still currently treating, like myself, that do appreciate how truly awesome they are. And I can tell you from previous bad experiences at other hospitals and the poor quality of care that I have received at these places, I'm trusting my life as it goes forward with these wonderful people at Mon Valley Hospital. So hopefully these kind, wonderful, folks that work there get to see this review because they truly deserve the recognition for giving their patients such great care. And I am also hopeful this helps someone in making a decision where to go to receive the best care for whatever it is they are going through. And by the way, if you are staying for awhile at this hospital, their food is excellent. Kudos to the Hospital's Dietary Department and thanks again to everyone at Mon Valley Hospital that has had a hand in helping me fight my battle with cancer.