Ralph H. Johnson V.A. Medical Center Reviews

ALL staff were incredible and helpful. They took good care of my husband who had a knee replacement. The hospital is under construction, but we barely heard any noise. Keep up the good work!

Volunteers top notch. Have to redo mri for some reason, going to be another month!

Every hospital has their issues and the government is trying to get it right, Ralph Johnson Center and MUSC affiliates have been good to me for 10 years, and they are very caring towards the vets, thank you Ralph Johnson Center and MUSC affiliates.

I had 3appts.today, I had to fast for 1 of them , soooo now I'm starving!!!!

The doctors and nurses for general care are amazing and very attentive.
Getting an appointment is a nightmare unless you go in person. However, the front desk personnel don't seem to know anything (they had no idea how to get the VHIC card) and the personnel who transfer calls are incredibly rude and dismissive (will almost always use a 'tone' with you).

The Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Hospital has been great to deal with every time I have visited. They make it very easy to find the patient you want to visit. They have plenty of self parking and even valet parking if necessary. The staff is very friendly, caring, and dedicated.

The staff was very helpful and friendly. We got completely lost and were escorted to our desired location by one of the LPN's going on break. The morale in this place looks pretty high,keep it up. Parking can be tough to find, but they do offer shuttles around the campus.

They staff us always proffesional and attentive to my needs. They have also saved my life when I had a heart attack and died on the table.

since being under the holistic care there I am a better person and my pain is manageable. thank you

Easy to find, but a pain to leave.
Parking is limited in the front. Vallia parking in the front. Have to play musical chairs to get a spot. Parking decks in the back.
Staff is courteous,helpful when asked a question. The doctors and assistants are nice and explains everything to me.
I had no problem with personal. But the parking is a different story.
They have approximately 900 parking spaces and 1000 +cars needing them.

There are no signs for where to enter hospital. Then the people working inside are no help. Was told follow signs for green team and there's none. Then people don't want to take a second to help but they had time to watch relegion on TV some preachers show. My appointment was at 930 it's now 1015 and still have not been seen. There seems to be more employees on their phones than really caring about the patients. There wasn't any time when I was in the building with the exception of the Dr's room that I didn't witness an employee texting. Amazing the lack of respect for the patients that demonstrates. It's a burden to check in a patient instead of a kiosk but OK to talk and text! It's no wonder the suicide rates of veterans are so high. If I could afford it I would NEVER step foot into the VA!

8-28-2020
I had a procedure done in the G.I. unit. I was taken good care of by the team. I loved Nurse Karen and Melissa. They took exceptional care of me and my needs. I saw personally how they took precautionary measures due to Covid and I was very much so impressed. Very professional staff whom worked well together. Thank you for serving the needs of veterans.

I've always received great care from good people. Of course, I had to wait but usually not any longer than at civilian clinics. You folks do a wonderful job for us vets. Thanks.

I have VA benefits unfortunately I live in Myrtle Beach so if I have a major problem I got a very long drive and you have to go through the ER it's a pretty quick visit you see a doctor they take care of the problem the VA's in South Carolina are fantastic compared to others

The staff (everyone of them) try to assist you if you look lost..the layout of the hospital is a bit complicated ....i respect the hard working staff that work their for us. I have had surgery there and other appointments and it's ok..never to long of a wait and smoothly ran.

It is a little tricky trying to get in and out of the parking lot but the facility itself is great. There are plenty of signs to get you in the right place.

The people answering the phone at the 477-0177 number are the RUDEST and most unenthusiastic customer care reps that I have ever dealt. This makes me regret serving our country.

Offers excellent care for veterans and family members from courteous staff

Parking can be tough so just go for the valet, it's free!

Friendly reception and registration. Quick to be seen. Nice nurses. Nurse Practitioner was compassionate and friendly.

The police officer jobs are terrible. Very low pay. Please do yourself a favor and apply elsewhere
Unless you like just walking around the parking lot all day and paying no attention to the inside of the hospital.

For real? You're reading reviews of a VA hospital? Look, either you're NOT a vet and it doesn't matter how nice the place is, or you ARE a vet and the place is what it is.

Horrible took a nurse a hour and half to come to one's room and my friend got a staff infection after first surgery sent home to early after surgery he was sent home in two days he wasn't even eating regular food this is no way to treat veteran that fought for our country would you treat your own family members this way ?? So treat all as you would expect to be treated you may one day be in there situation

I have to commend the hospital as a whole. They have much respect for the veterans who have served this great country. I have to give a special thanks to the nurses and staff of the 4th floor. Exceptional leadership Sara and Darrell. I personally had to witness what you had to endure on a daily basis.
Thank you
Michael and Samantha Avery.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can truly care less about their veterans. Especially here in Charleston,SC at the Ralph H Johnson VA hospital. Can't ever get an appointment and now I've been off my meds due to them not getting their heads out of their a** long enough to care. Horrible.

The care I have gotten there over the years has always been top notch! They share doctors with MUSC and Roper Hospital, which are high level hospitals!

Dr. Friedman in the Pain Cl is the worst I've ever dealt with in my entire life. I do not trust him or respect him as a physician. He should be striped of his license and put out to pasture like an old useless horse. Its doctors like him that gives the VA a bad name.

Wonderful staff and as punctual as can be be expected. Anyone with complaints should see a civilian doctor mainly psychiatric

In the renovation stages, but still up and running.

I am trying to contact the Eye Clinic, generally known to the world as optometry but in the VA system is the Eye Clinic, and the VA website only has a general number for the hospital. I called it and got transferred outside of the VA some how. I called back and the operator simply put me on hold and apparently forgot about me because I was on hold for about 10 minutes before I hung up. So I Google it and it gave a number that was for the wrong department. But the guy I talked to searched for the number in his directory and could not find it. He took my name and number and told me that he would run down stairs and ask them for their number and call me back, I really appreciate that. This is a failed system that is running on life support.

The VA police are ridiculous. I got pulled over and thoroughly talked to for not waiting a full 3 seconds at a stop sign. Not rolling through it - I stopped completely - just for not long enough, apparently. Some rent-a-cop in his 30s, maybe 40s, talked down to me, a disabled veteran, for a good 3-5 minutes, letting me know that he was letting me off easy. Came to write a review about the unprofessionalism I'd experienced, and lo and behold my stories been trumped by a man who got a $525 ticket for forgetting to pay for his refill in the cafeteria. Approach this place with extreme caution.

Treatment was excellent. The facilities are outdated.

Moved here from california and this is by far the worst va medical facility I have ever been to! Specialty care doctors in the pain management department refuse to continue my routine care that has taken more then 10 years to get in effect and has been routine for the past 4+ years and the only effective care I have received! Will be contacting the director of the hospital and then the secretary of the V.A. Have heard stories from other local Veterans of patients they have taken to the er dying in the hallway after waiting more then 8 hrs to be seen by a doctor.

This is one VA hospital that has many issues in which the director seems to be not interested in them. His words does not match his actions. The veterans health is NOT a top priority at this VA hospital.

My father passed away here on February 11 of this year. It is now February 27 and the doctor has still not signed the death certificate. So my dad still can not be put to rest. The doctor refuses to answer the phone and no one at the hospital can/will help.

Just don't go to Dr. Puder for mental health if you get PTSD benefits. Seems like a nice guy but he's busy framing away to get those benefits reduced. Ask him why he left Athens clinic in Georgia! DONT USE VA AND EVENTUALLY THE PARASITES WILL BE FORCED BACK INTO THE SEWER AND WE CAN GET VOUCHERS! DO YOUR PART!!!

Called and was sent over to records and got hung up on. Called back and was sent to eligibility and waited for 13 min and no one picked up. Called back and was sent to eligibility again and waited on hold for another 15 min. What is going on over there???

If only one word could describe the the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center and the VA system as a whole it would be: Disappointing.

My husband was in the VA for a week this month. I have nothing but praises for the Staff, Doctors and administration. My husband was in very serious condition and due to their concern and care he is doing well today. I must tell you that I have been to this same VA in past years with my father and it has come a long way from what it was in those days. Nothing and no one is perfect but we can pray to the one that is perfect for the hospital and it's staff that they will strive to do their best to take care of those who come there and put their trust and confidence in them.

This is my place of health care.well some of my medical care are at this hospital. Great care and services. Friendly staff.

Had a scheduled upper and lower GI scheduled for October 30. Recieved a call October 28 cancelling my procedures. My fiancee took Friday the 30th off to drive me home. I also had to drive all the way to Myrtle Beach clinic for Covid screening. To make matters worse, I have lost over 20 pounds in a little over a month. How much weight do I have to lose before these procedures are done. Ralph H Johnson VA Center doesn't seem to care.

Best staff ever!!! Hats Off to you guy's ans girls. They took excellent care of me.

Truly appreciate the care I received at the RHJohnson VA Medical Center in Charleston on 28 May 2019 in the GI Department on the 3rd Floor. Karen Long, Loretha Sarah, Susie, Lynn, Victoria, Anthony, Sam, and anyone else that I forgot, took such good care of me during my short 2 hour visit. Truly could not ask for a better team of healthcare providers. I can't say enough about how impressed I was with the facilities. For those who have never been, the Hall of Heroes on the first floor is a must see. The photographs of the men and women who served to protect our freedoms are beautifully displayed providing a glimpse at their past as well as their present.

Couples day ago my mother took my father here and he was having chest pains and couldn't breathe...my mother constantly asking for help and the nurses was sitting there talking about what kind of cookies and candy they like. So she goes back to the nurses station and tells them his breathing is getting worse so the nurse says they have no room for him he will have to wait. So my mother tells the nurse if anything happens to him its on her and she says ok. So my mother called 911 to get an ambulance to take him to another hospital then my father collapses in the waiting area and my mother starts screaming then they came running saying what's wrong with him. This hospital is a sec away from a lawsuit. Playing with people lives is not acceptable. I have not came across one decent doctor or nurse in this place. Stop treating this people like there a problem you wanted to become a nurse or doctor you need to treat people with respect and have respect for their lives. My family will not be quite about this.

Very friendly staff. They usually get you back at your appointment on time. The main complaint is the neverending battle for parking. You have to show up an hour early just to find parking. They have the free valet but you will wait in line for 30 minutes before you can drop your car off. The parking lots are cramped. The lanes are really close together which makes it difficult for people with trucks or large SUVs. They need a much larger parking garage.

I am so so disappointed. They didn t realize they were speaking to a health care professional when they made up lies about what they legally can and cannot do. If your veteran needs psychiatric help, don t bother.

Great VA, had surgery A+, primary care is very thorough. I drive 2 hours to get here from(cola), well worth it. Night and day diff.

5 VA vs 1

You do the math

this is by far the most screwed up va hospital I've ever seen. My ophthalmologist sends me out for a procedure and then my pre-approved appts run out and now it's been a couple months and I'm still fighting to get more appointments approved so i can finish the procedure. there has been no communication from the eye doc and now the va staff tells me i have to get ' my primary physician to put in for a consult so i can he seen again where they did my corneal cross-linking... blows my mind how stupid this process is---- and people wonder why so many veterans end up committing suicide. . damn.

The Physicians here at the Charleston VA are
caring and they pay close attention to detail,they truly have empathy, much more so than in Myrtle Beach .....over all I may have to drive 120 miles to get their, but I don't mind it when it comes to my health and the GREAT care giving,

Now having said all of that,the parking sucks,but I figured it out if you will I found out if i arrive 1/2 hr early I have no problems with the parking you just have to be patient.
Thank you Charleston VA
GodBless.

I have had several bad encounters with this hospital. My Grandfather had prostate cancer and he had tubes places in both of his kidneys. Unfortunately the cancer had spread and he was put in hospice care in August. The VA sent him home to be in hospice and FORGOT to give the transport his pain medication. When I called the VA they basically called me a liar and said that they sent the meds with the transport. Transport even said that they received a lot of bags and after going through them the meds were not found, so they explained that they did not have the meds. So he had enough to only last him a day since the pharmacy was closed every where else because when the hospital finally released him it was after 9pm. Long story short, the next day my Grandfather was in so much pain I had to call EMS to come get him. After going back to the VA I explained to the ER doctor the situation and after HE physically went to the pharmacist he FOUND the meds that they apparently sent with transport. So after getting him comfortable they were ready to discharge and send him home. I had administration come to me and advise that they were going to put him in my car. I advised her that he was unable to ride in my car due to him being bed bound, she was then going back and forth with me saying that he MADE to much money in SSI and how he ran out of transport rides for the month. I told her that there was no other choice, he is bed bound and there for i am not going to get put him in a car where he will be uncomfortable and then I would have to somehow find a way to get him in the house. Needless to say after fussing with them he got a way home.
I feel like they were more worried about the money then the patient and some of the things that I questioned about while in their care they would get an attitude about.

I will say however, My grandfather was put back in the VA hospital where he lost his battle with cancer on 09/04/2017 and he was there that weekend he had 2 nurses that I absolutely adore and they did a wonderful job in keeping him comfortable through his transition. I could tell he was happy and his reaction to them was amazing. We were on 4b south and the young lady had very curly hair and was sweet and the other woman was Kea.

I've never had a bad experience at the CHS VA Hospital and actually look forward to visiting. My last visit I had MULTIPLE people offer to help by asking if I knew where I was going, and was even escorted by the personnel at the front desk to the appropriate section I was looking for. I won a free coffee at the cafe too! Going to hospitals is already stressful enough, however, there's a reason why their ratings are so high.

The parking is HORRIBLE. Do not bother parking in their extremely small parking lot. Use the MUSC lot next door. It is only 3 miles and if you're a veteran you should claim your miles and parking at the front desk. To some people this can be a major problem, however, I don't mind the short walk into the back of the hospital where there's actually less people.

Homeless programs and Patients Advocate need to be investigated. Had open complaint with Patients Advocate for over a YEAR now and they regularly avoid answering the phone. Went in person and they didnt have the case at all anymore. They dont actually log and report real complaints, have actual proof they work to BURY complaints to protect the V.A. not the patient.

Last straw....Called this morning to make an appointment and not only is this phone number not working, but every clinic number is not working.... Previously had the call center in Charleston hang up on me when I asked the representatives name, because it was not provided and they were super rude. Not once, but twice this happened about 2 weeks apart. Find another job if you dont want to work there! I complained to the patient advocacy about it as well as about the long response times from the PCP concerning medical care. (MRI referrals, etc) Never been followed up with by Patient Advocates to this day. Mental Health services are a joke, during the time I was using VA... I went through 4 different providers because they leave every 9 months for better jobs or are just trying to become a doctor and never have got one in person for care, EVER. Always talked to someone thru Skype. Half the time you arrive and talk to some random person because your assigned MH provider isn't available, even though you waited a month or longer for the appointment. Thankfully, I am retired and have Tricare and have moved on to better Primary Care as well as Mental Health care, other than the sleep specialist who cant be contacted this morning. I feel sorry for the veterans who have nothing but the VA to use for care. 3 years in the making....Rant complete.... for now...

This hospital is a mess. The one Orthopedic Doctor that they have there was seeing 17 patients before 12pm. He stated that he was stressed out. It was a waste of time for me to go there to see that doctor. I had to tell him to pull up my MRI report to show what was going on with my knee in reference to compare to my XRAY report. I will never go back there again.

MUSC and the VA Ralph Johnson Center working together that's awesome, been going here for over 10 years, a great group of Nurses and Doctors and Staff working together and providing a great service, thank you for all you do, just recently had surgery with the Urology Dept. and know in the recovery stages and they did an amazing job with my surgery and recovery at home recovering and calls from the hospital on my well being you just can't beat that kind of service elsewhere, thank you Ralph Johnson Center and MUSC hospital. For looking out for Veterans.
As you can see the hospital has been going through renovation and they did a awesome job, Beautiful place.

>is handicapped.
>requests signature for handicap license.
>lost paperwork with PII on it.

they are constantly striving to make each day better than the day before.

Your veterans are late to appointments, missing appointments, or getting their vehicles towed because of lack of parking. Count the number of veterans you have coming in for appointments each day, then count the number of parking slots. Math does not lie. A disabled vet should not have to risk an expensive tow fine in order to attend a mandatory appointment at a time when bus service is not working.

My exsperence at this Hospital,has been nothing but great, from the volunteers to the Surgeons, to the nurses. My experience was great!!!! Thank you so much.

This is not the best VA, but it's not the worker's fault. It's the administration's fault.

CPAP office, Do they train any of you on professionalism or customer service? Because, I've never felt so belittled. You tell me to call before I come down, because I may not actually need to, but then I can't get anyone to answer the phone when I do. So, I go down to find out what is wrong with my machine, and I explain the problem as best as I can, only to be humiliated by Debra. How about instead of making your patients feel stupid, you educate them? I'm sorry I'm not an expert in your field.

Santa (my husband)goes to this V A medical center. There seems to be no waiting or anything whenever we have take him to see his doctor.

Please improve parking- I am grateful for the services and my medical team is great. The parking situation is appalling. The parking lot design is poor. To block off already limited spaces for "special guests" is not honorable. Then there are tons of spots designated for volunteers. There doesn't need to be so many spaces for drop off. Please think about think about the patients. Finish the parking garage. Also revisit the parking lot that gives no room and is accidents waiting to happen.

Also, please address staff who carry on with personal conversation. ENT check in and check out desk is especially bad, there are two woman who are always so loud and unprofessional. Also, this goes for the nurses too. Keep the personal stuff at the door please.

I have been in the VA health system for 11 years receiving care at three different hospitals. Two of them were competent and efficient. The Ralph H. Johnson hospital and the clinic I go to is abysmally incompetent. Twice , that I know of,they have falsified my records to cover their incompetence.

Good luck trying to obtain a new ID. Customer care is near non-existant and no one can tell me what address my new ID was sent to. Thanks for nothing.

Great medical facility I do not have much to say about that the Savannah Outpatient Clinic

The cafeteria doesn't offer Bubble Up soda anymore, which is a huge disappointment. I'm also extremely dissatisfied that a Police Officer would give a $525 federal fine for somebody refilling their drink cup. If the VA Medical Center didn't want people to use the self-serve soda fountain for refills, they should not have them sitting in public.

A busy place, and that is because the care there is the best in the VA.

Wait time in ER is outrageous. Been sitting for 3.5 hours and still not seen by a doctor.

Just wish that parking garage would be completed soon! Parking is tough, but doesn't change the excellent treatment of our veterans who deserve the best.

Mental health is a joke. Community resources are an illusion

No one there knows what the hell is going on. 20 parking spaces for veterans hundreds for employees... unprofessionalism runs rampant from the bottom to the top in this place....

My appt for a 15 min surgery was at 11 had to be thier at 10 to check in didn't get seened until 2:15 and had to wait again out of the prep room in the hallway hope I don't have to come back

Here for cardiovascular problems for three days. Nursing staff and Doctors about as good you could expect. No complaints at all.
VA doctors and Nurses are great.

Large Hospital, new and improved wings. Updated parking lot.

Best care ever. Alive today hanks to the great Doctors.

Just spent 18 days in this facility and I can vouch on how well I was taken care of , my situation required a stay in 4B South the nurses and techs both in A and B teams were so cheerful and compassionate in my care! As I was diagnosed, I ended up using radiology in several capacities, all nurses , Doctors, techs there were awesome, including a quick ride to MUSC for an mri by a professional transport team, following surgery I was in ICU for A few days, I can say my nurses Tom, Carolyn and my hero Tamara where so caring and compassionate and essential to my recovery. After ICU was transferred to 4B South again the nurses and techs took so very good care of me.A special shout out to the nutritionists and there cooks the meals were outstanding for the cardiac health picks. I'm so thankful for the entire Medical and Neurological/ Neurosurgery team for there care and genuine concern for my health. Well run facility you can tell by the demeanor of their employees who love their job and truly do care for you. Thank you all so much!

Seriously? Yesterday I went to my appointment yesterday to find out it had been canceled , luckily did get to see a Dr and she called in a prescription for pickup (yesterday). I m sitting here ( no line) 20 min and still not ready.
Privatize the VA let Drs and facilities earn our business and get rid of the drift wood that hangs out for a paycheck

Absolutely appalled at the things the staff wite in the patients medical charts. I was reviewing my father's medical chart and could not believe what I was reading. I have posted a picture in the picture section.

Blonde chick with skeleton toes that does c&p exams definitely needs a broom instead of lab coat