Randy Ripp

Review of CentraCare Health - Monticello

First and foremost, always consider hospital alter...

First and foremost, always consider hospital alternatives-Buffalo, St. Cloud, Maple Grove, to name a few.

AUG 2015. Long story, 9 month pregnant wife had a grand mal seizure in the middle of night. I was in shock when ambulance came. Crew asked me where I wanted to go. I had no clue. They suggested and steered me to to the closest, Monticello Centracare. Wife was stable and starting to regain some memory. They should have at least mentioned Monticello DOES NOT have a Newborn-Intensive-Care-Unit, NOR a neurology department, both of which my wife and unborn son NEEDED.

1) After an hour of wasting time in Monticello, the ER nurse (head nurse I think) and the ER doctor said, "We have to swallow our pride and take you somewhere else, because honestly, we do not have a plan IF another seizure occurs. We should have NEVER accepted her as a patient". Transferred her to St. Cloud.

I felt like I failed my wife since I did not consider the neurology or NICU need while I was in shock, but I do believe the medical professionals should have considered it our behalf. Thankfully someone "swallowed their pride" and spoke up. I believe either the OB doc on-call or ER nurse were the one to actually make the decision.

So of course I was not only frustrated with the decision to waste time in Monticello, but billing thereafter charged me for both ambulance trips. Since I believe the first ride to Monticello was a waste of time, I do not want to pay for THAT ride (shorter of the two).

However after speaking with hospital staff for literally hours, I am on a payment plan.
-Billing lady: very helpful and kind. Hands tied.
-Ambulance Supervisor: Condescending and unhelpful.
-Ambulance Director: Very well spoken, kind, understanding, but firm on decision to waste time at Monticello. If not already in a local politician position, should consider running...
-ER director: Never called me to discuss the situation and why the ER staff said "we should have never accepted you". Ambulance director told me the ER director would be calling. Has not.

2) My wife's first memory of the night was the ride from Monti to St. Cloud in the ambulance. Paramedic in back with her said, "they should have never brought you to monti..."

3) Family acquaintance doctor who practices at Monticello Centracare Hospital confirmed the fact that is was a poor choice to come to Monti. Especially since the seizure was done and there was no longer an emergency when first ambulance arrived.

I've waiting over 3 months to post this poor review to see the final billing decision, but as expected, "no one's fault but mine." It is my fault for being in shock and not considering that Monticello could not handle a neurological or NICU situation.