My recent experience at Juravinski Hospital was a ...

My recent experience at Juravinski Hospital was a mixed bag.

My experience with the ambulatory emergency wing of RAZ was less than stellar to put it mildly. The nurses (I was there around 6:00 AM during shift transitions) who are mentioned in other reviews seemed more like gate keepers to actual care rather than professionals themselves. After being driven to the hospital by the ambulance and having most of my concerns dismissed, I was left strapped in the stretcher for an additional ~25 minutes. Only when I asked if I could be unbuckled and get up as I was becoming uncomfortable did the nurse and EMTs stop chatting and offer me a clean bed. At this point it was unknown if I had COVID-19, as I had not been tested. A test was administered, as was a round of IV antibiotics, steroids and oral Tylenol. Despite having a fever that did not break, a WBC count near 25K, bloody sputum, crippling headache/neck pain, radiating chest pain, extreme dehydration, and no results for COVID, I was discharged with a basic wide spectrum antibiotic.

The next day I returned to Emerg as I still had a fever over 101F, my chest pain was getting worse and I was beginning to cough up frank blood. I was admitted and seen quickly. This doctor (middle-aged Japanese fellow I believe) was much more receptive. He ordered chest x-rays and determined that I had a collection in my right lung, likely pneumonia. Still again I was discharged.

When I returned a third time I was finally admitted for in-patient care.

The rest of my experience at the hospital was fantastic. All of the nurses and doctors--particularly Liz, Becky and Dr. Tuner--had impeccable bedside manner. They seemed genuinely concerned with making patients as comfortable and well taken care of as possible. I give them great kudos.

I was discharged after a few days of fluids, antibiotics and additional diagnostic testing. Dr. Turner's office followed up with me and I was told that the sputum culture revealed I had a relatively bad case of legionellosis. My recovery since then has been as expected or better. Dr. Turner prescribed the correct oral antibiotics, and has scheduled me for additional bloodwork & follow-up tele-assessment.

It is a shame that the ambulatory section of Emerg seems to stonewall patients in receiving actual care and that a certain level of cynicism impedes their ability to perform their job and provide care. Had that not been the case, this would have been a 5-star rating.

Edit: I feel the need to mention that I understand that particularly during this time healthcare workers are under a great deal of stress. However, I do not think that should interfere with their ability to perform their job, especially when a patient is presenting with qualifiable and quantifiable symptoms.