Danielle Clark

Review of Albany Medical Center

I'm not sure what this place thinks they are doing...

I'm not sure what this place thinks they are doing to help their patients. I am not here to bash the hospital but what i am here to do is tell my story. I arrived Sunday 5/26/19 around 8pm. I was greeted and changed into the hospital attire. I was then put on a stretcher and wheeled to hallway where i stayed for my entire visit. I was told upon my arrival that i would probably be out the next morning which made me hopeful but unfortunately that was not true.

After I settled in (to my oh-so comfortable stretcher) I watched people go in and out of their assigned rooms as they were taken care of and were ready to go home. I had a lot of time to observe both the patients and staff. Many were compliant... some were belligerent and not very nice but what i noticed the most was how angry most patients were about their care. This was a shock because for someone that doesnt find themselves in the hospital often I expected sadness, hurt, trauma, HOPE, healing. What i saw was that they were angry about how long they were waiting for medical attention, they were angry about the overflow of beds causing us to spend our stay in the hallway with bright lights in our eyes, and they were angry that the nurses talked down to the patients. I personally heard a patient ask a staff to stop treating her like a child. I cringed as i heard the whole conversation and i had the same wishes for the patient. It was a hostile environment with zero privacy. I stayed quiet for most of my stay but there were points that i needed to advocate for not only myself but for others. Seems like the nurses enjoyed the power struggle. As a care manager and direct support professional myself, I understand the difference between protocol and a power struggle.

Because i arrived around 8pm I was cared for by the night shift when i got here. I cant say enough how great they made a not-so-great experience become (for the time being). The staff were nice and attentive. They spoke to you like equals and made you laugh. Marcus in hall D was my nurse upon arrival. When he left at 730am i was scared as to what was next... and rightfully so! This is when the hostile talk to patients began. My next nurse was attentive. At 330pm my last nurse threatened to hold me here longer. Mind you... i have not said anything disrespectful at this point. All i asked for was what I was waiting on. Questions seem to be a point of contention around here. Bedside manner is still a thing- isnt it?

I got to a point where i felt like i needed an advocate so i called another hospital for advice. Whenever I do get discharged i was told to get the name of the hospitals attorney. That seems like a little much, but almost necessary so others dont have to go through the same experience i did and others did.

I will never voluntarily be at this hospital again. Cant get worse.

Couldnt get a great picture of this bodily fluid on the ground but i posted what i could get.