Palomar Medical Center Escondido

Worst place to come! They don’t allow you to go back with your family member that’s admitted. Security act like they have all the power in the world. If I could put their names on here I would. If you care about your families take them any where but here!

Deplorable nursing staff, especially Jennifer from the 7th floor! I came in, diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia, weighing only 78.5 lbs. After getting to my room, I was brought lunch, the one and only meal I received without having to ask. Shortly after doing my intake interview with Jennifer, I was put into isolation for TB. I was examined by 4 different doctors, none of whom thought I had TB. Only the doctor, who never even saw me, only received info given by Jennifer, thought I had TB. I was told I had to give four septum samples, of which the nurses insisted I only gave 3 - I think I know how many tubes I had to spit in. That first sample sat on the counter for over six hours before the night nurse, not Jennifer, submitted it. I was told I could not get out of isolation until they got the test results back. Over two days later, still no results. It was not until I questioned the night nurse about the results and he called the lab, that the first two tests were started. I did not receive dinner the first night. The staff was not allowed to bring it to me directly because I was in isolation. Jennifer NEVER brought my dinner in. It sat there until the night nurse showed up and mentioned that it was sitting in the ante room. By that time, it was cold, mushy, and completely inedible. The ice cream had completely melted. After that, every time I saw the staff deliver my meal, I rang the nurse to bring it in. Every time, they acted like I was asking for something outrageous and the delay got longer and longer. The second night, it took over 25 minutes to get dinner, which again was cold. Remember, I was way under weight to begin with! At no time, did the nurses offer to bring food at anytime. I was running a fever due to the pneumonia. Instead of giving me Tylenol to bring it down, Jennifer kept cranking up the AC. She told me I had better get rid of some of my blankets to bring down the fever, which was low-grade anyway. She then threatened ice packs. I was hooked up to the air pump on both legs to prevent blood clots. This alternates legs every two minutes or so. I asked Jennifer if it could be turned off at night at least so I could get some sleep. Her answer was absolutely not. I could refuse treatment, but the hospital would not be responsible for any blood clots. The night nurse later informed me that, of course, it was to be turned off for sleep. Jennifer also determined I was unable to stand on my own and needed assistance whenever I needed to go to the bathroom. After ringing for help and having to wait over 15 minutes for assistance, I had had several accidents. I was on heavy antibiotics and received no food, along with constant IV fluids. Luckily, I was smart enough to have brought several changes of clothes. At no time, was my bedding changed. Neither was my dressing gown, which was humongous and weighed down by the heart monitor. The rest of the nursing staff saw no reason for the designation that I needed assistance going to the bathroom, and I went on my own. I was also promised a shower, which never happened. Eventually, I left so I could get food and sleep. I had lost an additional two pounds! I gained three pounds once I was home. By the way, as I was leaving, two of the three TB test came back - NO TB! Shocker!

I was on the 7th floor Orthopedics 3 1/2 weeks ago. I have nothing but praise for the staff and interns! They treated me like I was theit only patient. They made me feel so comfortable and honestly, I didn't want to leave them! They managed my pain and if I needed some helo, they responded immediately! One more thing. Although I didn't always feel like eating, the food was excellent! I miss all of the kind staff AND I appreciate the very special get well card (signed by all) that was recently sent to my home. Keep up the fantastic job! I commend all of you for your excellent care!

Sincerely,
Debbie Modzelewski
Total hip replacement patient

I came here cause my oncologist told Me I needed more blood and my blood count was realy. Low so I went right after my chemotherapy got there at 2 pm first thing the do they draw blood from me like 6 viles of blood and told me to wait out side well think it was around 8: 30 pm when they call me in for the transfusion good thing it was wasn't a matter of life and dead here they look like very caring people

I've never been seen so quick at any hospital before. Though my L&D nurse had no bedside manner & was incredibly rude the second nurse (Beth I think) was so sweet & so patient with me. My doctor checked on me about 10 times during my short time there & my ultrasound tech was wonderful. I will NEVER be returning to Tri-city for any reason & will be giving birth at Palomar.

I came in for chest pain after having air enter the lines during my dialysis treatment at my clinic. I came in, waited two hours for tests, and then another hour for a doctor. I figured if it was an emergency, they would have called me in right away. So I left before seeing the doctor since my chest pain was getting less strong. They took my insurance information at the beginning when I came in, however did not bill the insurances for the tests I did. Now I have to go through the hassle of straightening it out again. The whole mess with incorrect insurance billing is the reason why I went to Palomar instead of Tri-City, but I guess this is a common issue. I contacted Palomar Hospital and they referred me to another number because they outsource their billing to a different center for labs. Thankfully I left before seeing the doctor because that is a different billing center as well. The Palomar employee was really nice and helpful but the billing issue is something that could use some improvement.

My grandmother was admitted to the 6th floor in the progressive care side and the nurses and staff on this floor were amazing they made my grandmother comfortable as possible even though she was a spanish speaker with little english. Tuan the nurse was the best in informing me on what is going on with the progress and care of her and Christina the Charge nurse on the floor came in to help us as well if we needed anything. The best experience of all was a volunteer named Matthew who came in and asked my grandmother if she needed anything and if i wanted some water and coffee as well.he reassured that if any of us needed anything at all or had a question to call his extension. He actually made us feel at home and welcomed he told us he was in high school and had an ambition to be a RN and he would make an awesome one with the level of compassion and love he had helping us. I love Palomar Medical they really care about you