Presence Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago

One of the weirdest and least helpful experiences I've ever had at a hospital. Most of the staff - admin to doctors - were not professional, had very strange demeanors, and explained nothing in between hours of waiting for someone to come tell me what was happening next or what my results of a certain test meant. There would be long periods of waiting and then rushed, empty answers when someone did show up. I saw probably 10 or more different doctors and staff, it was never the same person. There was no sense of urgency, and if I'd not aggressively (meaning repeated times, not anger) asked for answers or to get out of there since they couldn't help me, I felt like even more days would have gone by just charging away for my meals and time in the room. I am supposed to follow up with more specialists there but have no intention of doing so.

St. Joseph Hospital is a great Hospital to get help when you need it. The doctor and nurses were all good to me and they took care of me when I was. Thank you for taking care of me.

I just have to write with a good review of this place, especially in contrast to a horrible experience I had at a different hospital. I took myself to the ER here for something that came up following a severe illness (the one that got me to the other hospital). The first thing this hospital did was the person at check-in got all my personal information correct. Wow! I know, it’s basic stuff. And they continually check it to confirm, which is also just a thing I think hospitals are supposed to do. But after that being completely botched in the other location, I was super impressed by them doing it here. And yeah, I get it. Some people have had difficult experiences here. But also, hospitals are difficult places. Doctors are human, and it’s where people go to be sick - or worse. But my experience on this day was that a) the building itself was very pleasant and clean. Instead of only harsh white, they use some wood and softer colors, which puts you more at ease right away. B) The staff were EXTREMELY nice. And so was my doctor. C) They let my friend come in with my for emotional support, which also made the experience nicer. And not only was my doctor kind and friendly, but she was gentle, and when she explained things to me, she somehow managed to do it in such a way that I could understand what she was saying without dumbing things down to me. This, again, in stark contrast to the other hospital I had gone to, where I had followed up just two days before this visit at St. Joseph. There, the doctor basically abused me when I went to her for help. So I walked out - and ended up here two days later. And I’m glad I chose this place. So, to anyone who had a bad experience here, I would say: I believe you. Probably something went wrong. But it’s possible that it could have been very much more wrong somewhere else.

I have thought long and hard about writing a negative review about St. Joseph Hospital because the nursing staff is exemplary as are the phlebotomists, NCTs, imaging technicians, unfortunately this is where the good ends. My orhtopaedic surgeon, Dr. Scott Ackerman, treated me with indifference to my input. Lest you think I am a know-it-all, I am the recipient of four, now five joint replacement surgeries both hips, both knees(a re-do on the first knee joint replacement)and I believe that makes me a patient emeritus. I know exactly which medications are successful for me and which are not and I know this through trial and error, long conversations with my physiatrist(pain specialist M.D), and extensive reading. I am diligent in participating in not only my recovery but the shape I am in preoperatively. I discussed my preferred anesthesiologist, as she was my doctor through the two previous surgeries and believe me when I tell you that not all anesthesiologists are the alike, in point of fact if your anesthesiologist will not allow one to ask questions or request the cocktail of drugs required for surgery and carefully explain why one drug is preferred over the other makes for a scary situation(which I had). Post-surgically I was in tremendous pain(one cannot heal well if one's pain is not controlled). Ackerman displayed what can only be called arrogance, his response was casual in fact cavalier regarding my intense discomfort. I told him what drug and amount had best tamped down my pain level based on my four previous surgeries. I was in such bad shape due to pain which prevented me from sleeping more than two hours in a row. You cannot heal well if you cannot sleep and I could not sleep due to the pain, which was a fifty on the all-to-familiar 1-10 pain chart. Even in this current day and age, the one where the media outlets have labelled all opioid use as being in league with the devil. Not even the newspapers, television reporters et al take issue with painkillers post-surgically. If any of you have had joint replacement surgery then you know exactly what I am talking about. It took my nurse, Bridget, to plead my case and get me on the medicine I needed and even then it was done grudgingly by the attending physician. Additionally there were other complications. One was the swelling on my legs, which had always been controlled in my prior surgeries by wearing compression stockings, which makes ALL the difference in the world which by the way goes a long way for pain management. When I came to my senses I ordered my own heavy duty(standard medically appropriate)compression stockings from Amazon and the overnight shipping charges which by the way was on my dime. Tights such as these have always been the standard gear from every hospital for post-surgical joint replacement. But not anymore as these are expensive and the new company, Amita 'Health', is on an obvious mission to trim the budget fat in any way they can. Another alarming situation occurred, I went into the hospital on Tuesday at 9 a.m., at that time I weighed 114.5 pounds(on the hospital's scale)I was transferred, on the following Friday at 11 a.m., to the sub-acute floor and I was weighed by the nurse and my weight was 131.5 pounds. Alarming isn't it? A seventeen pound weight gain in three days I could not get a straight answer out of anyone that I queried. Is it any wonder I was in so much pain, I can only guess that I was pumped full of a vast quantity of liquid on the operating table. Now one can easily see why it is essential to know EVERYONE on one's surgical team. Toward the end of my stay I was greatly concerned about an infected area, about one and half centimeters long, at the top of the incision. I repeatedly asked, told, begged the doctors, nurses for a solution. Either lance and drain the infection or at the very least put neosporin on the area, but my concern was completely and rudely ignored. I need a revision on my left hip...and I will go to Rush or North Shore in Evanston. R.I.P.(the former and excellent)St Joseph Hospital.

The best hospital in IL! Genuine patient care and compassion from top surgeons to RN’s/cna’s to Admin to transport to cafeteria! Everyone is so nice here and they really know their stuff! I’ve had many surgeries here and delivered both my babies here. Love St Joseph’s Hospital!