Samantha Battis

Review of MGH YouthCare

We have used the Massachusetts General Hospital fr...

We have used the Massachusetts General Hospital franchise for a number of years, and at a number of their various locations. My son has autism, with other complex medical issues, and overall their service and treatment for my son has been impeccable. Their knowledge and family support at the Lurie Family Autism Center has been stellar. I am forced though, after a recent emergency room visit to give one star. While visiting Boston for a doctors appointment and leisure activities my son had an autism meltdown requiring an ambulance ride to MGH ER, at, when upon arrival, arrived completely calm and responsive. Our wait time to see a medical doctor was quick, and a cursory examination was done to medically clear my son. I thought we were getting discharged, but my 11 year old son was then transferred to a psychiatric area with adults. I explained to the nursing staff that the "special psychiatric" locked rooms would cause an increase in his anxiety, and since he was calm and relaxed we didn't need to be there. My request was ignored. We arrived at 5pm. We were examined by a female fellow with very limited knowledge on autism. Protocol at other hospitals we have been to have followed current recommendations in that those diagnosed with autism thrive better in their own environments. She decided to make him stay the night. I asked for a room that wasn't a "locked" room, one that had a chair for me, and that my son needed supper. They said no chair, and they couldn't help with dinner. My son remained calm and baseline the entire evening. Throughout the night I filmed my son so I could text his father, who was very worried. At 11:00pm, I was approached by head of security who explained that I could not use my phone to take pictures for HIPPA reasons, and that she would need to see all the pictures on my phone. I explained that my pictures were for his father, and that all pictures taken were done from the privacy of our locked room. I further explained that the three receptionists were "snap chatting" on their phones for a period of about 20 minutes in the public area, which I think would me more of a HIPPA concern. The unfortunate side of security pulling me away from my son needlessly was that he was terrified when I left the room, had an anxiety attack, requiring a shot of Haldol to relax him. For sleeping arrangements my son was on a narrow stretcher, and I sat at the end. The following morning we were evaluated by extremely knowledgable staff who discharged us immediately and apologized on behalf of their colleagues for having us stay needlessly. They were the polite, courteous and genuinely sweet. Upon discharge I asked for a shower for my son as he wet the bed and they said it wasn't possible. We left the hospital at 11:00am, for the 2 hour ride home with a wet son, who still hadn't eaten from the day before. If you need an emergency room for your child with autism, do not go to MGH. While their autism clinic in Lexington is top notch, their knowledge hasn't transferred to their Emergency room at their main campus. For a hospital with such amazing accolades I find it unacceptable. Without a doubt if my son had a brain tumor, or diabetes for sure our treatment would have been better, we would have been offered food, better sleeping accommodations, better access to medical staff, and I'm sure a shower. My son was not treated like a child with complex medical needs, he was treated like he was a bother. Do not choose this emergency room for autism spectrum disorder.