My husband Len had the misfortune to go to Community Hospital, New Port Richey, Florida, soon after we arrived in Florida. As he is a diabetic we had to purchase insurance from Lloyd’s of London, here in America. We had a 500 pound deductible, at the time, which worked out to be $800 with the exchange rate then.
The doctor had told me to get Len to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately I took him to Community Hospital emergency room. I went up to the reception area and told them that the doctor wanted him to have immediate medical attention as he had or was having a heart attack.
We waited until I was called and the first thing I was asked for was his medical insurance details. I handed them the card and told them that he was insured for 2 million dollars. They wanted this form and that form filled out and I had to get really insistent that they took Len into the emergency area and start doing something for him.
It finally worked and I told my husband I would see him as soon as I was through with the paperwork. It took 2 hours and a check for $800 before I was allowed to go back and wait with Len.
I have to say that they had given him nitro and had him monitored and in a waiting area. He was in the holding station for several hours and finally given a room.
Len stayed in for a few days and was stabilized until he was transferred to Bayonet Point Hospital for his heart surgery.
Len has also had several day surgeries at Community Hospital. The first one was on his shoulder. We arrived at 5.30 a.m. and got him settled in a room. I waited while he had the surgery, which wasn’t successful, but that is another story.
I was allowed in his room late afternoon. They gave him sugar free jello, apple sauce, and lots to drink. Later he received a small dinner. I asked the nurse when he would be going home. She informed me as soon as he passed urine.
Well, this happened around 7.00 p.m. and when someone came in to the room I handed them the jug to record it. We continued to wait and other people came into the room. I told them that he was ready to go home. The word came back that he needed to pee. He had another pee and at 10.00 p.m. I was walking the aisles to find the nurse. I was promised she would come in.
11.00 p.m. a nurse put her head around the door and told us that it was a change of shifts and we had to wait for the next nurse. Even with me getting very irate it was 1.30 a.m. before I drove Len home.
This hospital may be close to home but I much prefer Bayonet Point hospital.
