MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Emergency Room

May 2024

While at my doctor's office in the medical center, I steppd down from the examination table and gashed my calf. Believe them when they say Plavix and low dose asperin thins your blood. Within seconds, there was a huge puddle on the floor. The doctor used gauze and tape to put pressure on the cut and one of his staff wheeled me down to the ER. Triage was professiinal and quick and soon Michelle G. was stitching me up. (Did mention I got one of those warm blankets? I love me a warm ER blanket) When she was all done, Michelle told me I would need to have the wound checked and a new dressing applied. She said my PCP could do it or I could have home healh care come to my house so I chose home health. I was told it would be set up, I would get a call about the time that a nurse would come today. Sounds pretty good, right? No call, no nurse, so I called the ER number I was given and that's where the trouble began. I have a trach, so it's difficult for me to talk on the phone and hard for people to understand me. It helps when I use the speaker and I can usually get my message across. You'd think of all organizations, offices and businesses, the ER of a hospital would be the most competent. So many sick, injured, frightened people come through their doors that their jumbled explanations would be easy for medical staff to decipher. Nope. The first person was brusque and annoyed, even as I tried to explain that I have a trach; she handed me off to someone else. That person wouldn't listen to me and went off on a tangent, telling me what the procedure was. I tried to explain that I heard it already and just needed to know if a visiting nurse appointment was already made. Again, a curt response. Then a man got on the phone and gave me the number of a home health company, but before I could ask a question, he hung up on me, too. Luckily, my husband walked in the door and was able to call back. Unluckily, they were not any better to him, and he speaks clearly (because he teaches conversational English!!!) Still waiting for home health and hope my leg isn't rotting away rn. (Only kidding) But just in case those rude people read this today, May 1, ask the staff on duty April 30 if they remember the lady with the trach. I bet they'll tell you how cooperative and nice I was to them. I am grateful for medical staff and recognize that they are working to help me, so I NEVER give them a rough time. You know, this trach has been a Blessing to me. Since getting it 3 years ago, I've come to realize just how thoughtless and rude people can be to those who have a disability. I use a walker and have had plenty of people let doors go in my face, bumped into me and glared like it was my fault, quickly closed the elevator door so that I couldn't get in ... that kind of behavior. But, I digress. I'll let you know if I hear back from home health. This is an update, May 4, 2024 On Thursday, I got a call from Mission Home Health and was told that the nurse would call shortly. Within 5 minutes, she called and came to see me about 30 minutes later. Neither of these ladies had trouble understanding me (they didn't ask me to repeat myself or grumble that they couldn't hear me.) the nurse, Denise, arrived promptly, took care of my wound and told me when I would hear from another nurse this weekend. She was friendly, professional and fearless; I have a very protective senior rescue pup who barks at strangers, but Denise was calm, focused and ignored his behavior. It's not only the physical care you get, but the concern, professionalism and kindness of medical personnel that affect a patent.

Mar 2024

I am writing this review on behalf of my 85 year old mother who was recently had surgery and was hospitalized at Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center. I am an Orthopedic surgeon with 33 years of experience. In those years, I have seen medical care delivered first hand at over 40 different hospitals. Our experience with my mom's hospital stay at Saddleback exceeded the quality of care that I have ever seen, anywhere. The doctors and staff were extremely professional and caring towards patient and family members. The facility is very modern and clean yet welcoming and friendly, as are the staff who work there. Priyal P Dholakiya, MD is her surgeon who approached this very difficult and unusual case with professionalism and sensitivity. Dr Dholakiya performed a brilliant gynecologic surgery using the DaVinci robot. Consequently, my mother woke up pain free with the best possible outcome. This was a major surgery. 20 years ago a patient would have spent close to a week in the hospital but my mom went home the morning after surgery. Dr Dholakia's physician assistant, Natalie, was ever present for my mom's needs and provided additional explanation of her medical care as needed. Candice Filippini RN was the preop nurse on the morning of surgery. My mom was very nervous about undergoing this major surgery at age 85, but Candice put her fears to rest with a kind, calm and professional approach to her preop nursing care. The OR nurse, Glenda, took over when it was time for my mom to go into surgery. This nurse inspired me with confidence that my mom was in excellent hands. I could tell from Glenda's actions that the focus at Saddleback Hospital is on patient safety. The surgery went smoothly with the robot, and my mom woke up pain free. Afterwards, she was transferred to her hospital bed where the RN Chrissy took over my mom's care. The hospital room was a beautiful modern private room with a large window. The ward was spotlessly clean and a nice quiet environment for patients to recover in. Chrissy was immediately available any time my mom hit the call button, and she performed her nursing in a very sensitive, kind and professional manner. On the following day, Chrissy was again my mom's nurse. We loved this because it provided continuity of care. The final staff member who we encounterd was the physical therapist Janelle. Her care was consistent with everything else we had experienced with the staff at Saddleback. She presented herself as a very skilled professional, yet caring and kind. My mom needed to use the restroom before having physical therapy, and Janelle took this in stride, patiently waiting for my mom to get herself ready for her PT session. Janelle took my mom on a nice long 500 foot walk, making sure that she could safely ambulate before she goes home. After her PT session, my mom's discharge medications were delivered in a bag by the pharmacist to the bedside. We did not have to even go to the pharmacy. To summarize, I am awestruck by the quality of care that my mother received at Saddleback hospital and I would recommend this facility to anyone who needs to undergo a surgery.

Mar 2024

My baby was delivered at the Women's Hospital on December 8th. I came into the hospital at around 3am and was admitted. The nurse who treated me in triage was amazing. When I was admitted, the two nurses who were caring for me were great. When their shift ended, another nurse took her place and she was amazing! Her name was Sara and she was the sweetest ever and was very friendly and she helped me a lot while I was laboring. As a first time mom I was really nervous about the whole process but she was great and helped ease my nerves and anxiety. She was an amazing nurse and gave me the best kind of care I could have ever expected to receive. She went above and beyond. Her shift was over an hour before I gave birth but she even came in to say hi the next morning and greet our lil baby girl. She was amazing. I also received care from Raj and she was great too, she was very patient with all the questions I had about my baby and on how I was feeling. Overall I was very impressed with this hospital and would recommend it to anyone. Staff is wonderful and give the best care. Food is decent too for being hospital food and they provide lots of different options along with a celebratory breakfast.