Desert Regional Medical Center

HORRIBLE experience once my Mother was put on "comfort care". After being put on comfort care my Mother was moved from the ICU to a more private room for the family until her passing. We were moved to the Joint & Spine Pavilion. Basically, it was like they just found an empty room to put her in to let her pass on. The staff on that floor tending to her were horrible. They weren't providing her comfort, let alone even really making sure everything was okay. Luckily, I was able to be with her round the clock so I could ensure I was able to make her as comfortable as possible. I had to ask them to check her vitals as that is a key in telling me her level of comfort at this time in her life, one day they only checked her vitals at 7AM and not again until 11:45PM when I had to finally raise my concerns to the lead floor nurse on the night shift. I voiced my concerns about not feeling comfortable with them to even leave her alone for a minute. They weren't monitoring her Morphine and I had to let them know when it was getting low and to ensure they placed an order to have it ready when needed. I was the one cleaning her mouth out as they weren't coming in to check on her. Also, when I felt she wasn't comfortable they refused to increase her Morphine level as they said from their assessment "She Looks Comfortable". She was transferred to that room on a Saturday night, I was able to talk with the night nurse on that night and he increased her Morphine around 3 to 4am, however NO other staff would increase it at all until Monday night around 10:45 PM after I shared my concerns about her care, the day nurse she had that day that never came in to check on her let alone other issues with her. They then reviewed her chart from when in the ICU to realize that the Morphine was supposed to be increased much more frequently. They increased her Morphine at 10:45 PM and within one hour of that my mother's labored breathing did reduce some. The next morning before shift change her breathing was laboring again and her vitals increased so I asked that the Morphine be increased again however the day lead nurse coming on shift refused to increase it as in her own assessment "she looked comfortable". Well, she was wrong!! It wasn't until the resident doctors made their rounds that they entered the room saying she didn't look good nor did she look comfortable, they directed the nurse on shift to increase the Morphine as needed for comfort. Also, the same day nurse she had the day before was assigned to her care again and I refused it and told them to get another nurse as she was horrible and didn't provide care at all. She was too focused on her other patients and discharges she had to do. They did at least replace her and the day nurse assigned was more attentive. After the Morphine was increased around 10:45am on Tuesday my mothers labored breathing did reduce and she was finally able to be comfortable and pass in peace. I SHARE this horrible experience as if you've never had to see or deal with the passing of a loved one first hand you might believe some of the things you were told. Which weren't correct. I had to finally be my Mother's voice to let them know she wasn't comfortable and they needed to listen to those that knew her best. If you have a choice and are able to take a loved one home to be on hospice over comfort care in this hospital DO IT! Otherwise your loved one might have a horrible end of life experience as we did. I would give NEGATIVE stars but I have to pick a star to even share this, so that's why I gave a one star on this review.

The 2 stars are for the nursing staff. My 88 year old father broke his femur and had surgery. His closest family is 2 hours away. My brother and I live in separate states. We gave them our numbers and asked to be updated on his condition the day of his surgery. I was never informed when he went into surgery. My sister in law called to find out what was happening and on her request they called me to let me know he was out of surgery. That was the only call I got. The nurses would let me talk to him by taking him the phone so they were very helpful. I called today to ask how he was doing and they said he had been discharged 2 days ago. When I asked where they said it was a violation of hipaa to tell me that. I asked "even to tell his children?" The woman said, "we don't have any way to know who you are." I was speechless. I then found out from my sister in law that my brother had to call around various places to find out where he was. A horrible and potentially dangerous situation. Shame on you. You can't tell us where our disabled elderly father is but the facility he is at can tell us he's there? You were also able to tell us he was in your facility and give us information about his condition only on our word that we are his family.

I have come in for wound care and leave stressed out the attending doctor James, first name, was horrible,. I was in pain with a 10 level and he wanted to give me narco which effects my stomach I always get morphine, he then pointed his finger at me like I was some kind of a animal and said get out this is unacceptable, unprofessional in many ways of being a doctor. I’m going to let the world know with a BOLO be on alert for Asian Dr. James first name.

My dad passed away in the ER on June 9th. I can’t tell you how wonderful I was treated. The whole staff was wonderful but especially the young man who was my dads nurse. And they were extremely busy that morning but they all kept their cool and maintained a very professional, yet kind and gentle spirit.

We came to Desert Hospital on 10/6, spent 12 hours in ER. Mom was having chest pains. She was admitted and released 10/8. Returned on 10/11, after she started experiencing the same chest pains. This ER stay was 10-1/2hrs. She was admitted again. Total experience has been HORRIBLE!! The wait time, the cleanliness, the lack of privacy HIPAA and even the dismissive attitude of some of the medical staff. Thank God, I was available to be an advocate for my mom! On a positive note…. I would like to recognize one particular ER nurse, Emily G. She was so compassionate and considerate. Her level of care is want you want for anyone in distress. We were able to observe and hear her interact with other patients with the same compassionate and concern as we experienced. Emily G. is a dying breed of what everyone wants in not only a nurse but from anyone charged with their care. She deserves 5 stars, a raise, a shout out, a commendation and more! We were blessed to have had her as a nurse. She is a definite asset to Desert Hospital. Thank you, RN Emily G!!

So I was brought in to the ER by ambulance Friday from JFK to Desert Regional for further testing. I was told when I arrived I will be receiving another X-ray to determine my cause of severe abdominal pain I was having. Fast forward 3days, being admitting in the hospital only to be receiving IV fluids and pain medicine oh and not to mention on a clear liquid diet cause I have to wait for a X-ray to be done. I have NOT seen not ONE doctor during my stay only RN. Keep asking when I’m getting the X-ray and the answer was also “oh your next on the list” 3day long list apparently! I’ll been patient and understand but at this point it has gone. So idk Desert Regional my stay here has not meet the expectations I thought this hospital was said out to be.

I was in a bad accident was admitted here. It is day 10 my surgery has been delayed for 3 days now and still currently waiting for my surgery to close up my wound and have me on no food and water intake currently .. I about to hit 16 hrs but according to the nurse “I am still on the list” Only reason I give one start is the few attentive nurses I have received during my care when I mean few I mean like 3-5 nurses who do this not just for the money. I am far from home I hope Kaiser takes me in sooner this place is a nightmare especially at night.

My Brother is currently hospitalized there and I've never had such a horrible experience from his nurse in ICU Cardiac Venus who is extremely rude talking condescending to the families of our loved ones, to the security at the front desk.I hope none of my family will ever be back there. This hospital was one I was very pleased with but apparently they have no empathy in Human Services or training. They are also under staffed therefore leaving us the family to change my brother's sheets, bathe him, and do their jobs. Horrible experience!!!!

I've always had the greatest care here. The staff has ALWAYS been pleasant and helpful. Remember they are NOT your servants. You are there for health care. They are doing the best they can for YOU medically. They are HOSPITAL staff not Servants!

I was covid positive, feeling pretty good after taking paxlovid and isolating. Two days later, started vomiting, diarrhea, jaw pain and extreme fatigue. In PS on vacation, but went to ER. Saw a Physician's assistant who asked a couple question, did no physical exam, took no medical history or ask about meds. I have 2 serious but controlled autoimmune diseases and told him, he was not interested. Took my vitals once, when I got there. Diagnosed me with no labs. They were very very busy but that is just unacceptable. Called a friend who is an ER doc who came over and I believe she saved me. The PA actually did not know what my autoimmune diseases were, had never heard of them. What? They're not unusual! I was then able to see a doctor. Did labs, Ekg, started IV. Turns out I was dehydrated, still covid positive, close to renal failure. Put me in a ward with three other people one was a women's husband who was homeless. Never saw another doctor. We connected to their online portal, where we saw my lab results. Doctors I never saw wrote notes of seeing me, examining me, how my heart/lungs were great. Yet I could not drink water or eat. Had abdominal pain the entire time. Nurses, with a couple wonderful exceptions, were absolutely not interested. Once they realized I was covid positive they were mad at everyone. Charge nurse on night shift was great, moved to a private room. Stayed 3 days, took out my own IV and left as soon as I was discharged. They never gave me my regular meds, which I needed and finally just took my own. I couldn't eat but they put me on a regular diet and got 2 meals the whole time despite repeated requests. My husband wouldn't have minded a meal. Can't wait for the itemized bill. Read a discharge summary full of details about a physical exam. It actually said "Talked to patient face to face". Never laid eyes on the man. My husband called and demanded he come answer questions. By then I was dressed and ready to escape. He pointed these things out and told him they were lies, it was not good medicine and he would be liable in a court of law etc, The guy took it well, surprisingly. Still got no answers though on why my kidneys were affected. Probably covid related. Anyway, I feel lucky to have survived that place. 12 hours in the most fractured, disorganised ER I have ever seen. And I'm an ER nurse. One night in a ward with a woman peeing ALL OVER the bathroom, it was shocking. The private room was heaven, finally able to sleep but what a nuthouse. Everyone was in training to be something else. The combined depth of knowledge was maybe a year. The meds I did get were crumbling, falling apart. This means they don't work, couldn't take them; you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. Yet they continued to bring them. I don't know if they are understaffed or just don't care. Docs and nurses. I was afraid the whole time. If you need an ER, run in the opposite direction. Run like you're on fire.