David Ransen

Review of Good Samaritan Medical Center

I went to the ER with a paralyzed right arm. This ...

I went to the ER with a paralyzed right arm. This apparently occurred because I fell asleep on the floor with my arm underneath me for hours.

Everyone went into a well-rehearsed "check for stroke" mode. I had no signs or symptoms of stroke other than my injured my arm. Still they did a dozen tests and scans "just to be sure." Ever wonder why our healthcare costs so much? Throughout, they ignored my paralyzed arm completely.

Meanwhile it turned out that there was not a single neurologist present in the whole, huge hospital. I couldn't believe it when they wheeled in a TV monitor and camera, and a neurologist who could have been anywhere (except in the hospital), asked a few questions then made a diagnosis. They wheeled his image away, and admitted me "just in case" I would stroke. Hard to understand that decision, since they had already ruled out stroke.

No one physically examined my paralyzed arm, and no one seemed to care, because no questions were asked regarding how the injury might have occurred, where it hurt, or anything else.

After a sleepless night (the nurses were shouting and laughing without interruption all night), I still had not been examined by a physician of any kind. I had to walk into the common area wearing a gown just to get their attention to send me a physician to examine or discharge me. A physician showed up a few hours later and recommended physiotherapy 3x a week for 6 months, also without touching my arm. Do you know anyone who has that kind of time to spare? Then he casually strolled out, turning his back on me while I was still asking questions. I believe his white coat said Dr. Ortiz. I'm not saying he had a poor bedside manner; he had NO bedside manner. One might excuse this had the floor been busy. In fact most of the rooms were empty; still he turned his back on me mid-conversation and strolled out as if he were taking a leisurely walk in the park.

The next day I saw a specialist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) who has been caring for me for 18 years. It took him less than 5 minutes to announce that the TV doctor's diagnosis was wrong. Not vague or close - just wrong! He explained in detail what was really wrong and used high-tech EMG and nerve conduction equipment to pinpoint the injured nerves. He physically moved my arm and hand in many directions, while frequently asking if I felt pain or tingling. At last, a real exam. He said most people recover from this injury, but recovery would be slow - at least 3 months to regain mobility, and probably longer to be completely healed.

It's now been 10 months. My specialist was right on. After three months I had regained mobility from my shoulder down to my fingers. As he predicted, I still experience minor pain when I move in certain ways, but it is less severe every month.

This was the 2nd time I experienced incompetence and lack of concern at Good Sam. Needles to say, I won't be going there ever again.