Worst Hospital Experience of My Life!
I had a terrible experience at Presbyterian Hospital that left lasting physical and emotional damage. After arriving in excruciating pain, I waited over 7 hours in the ER, during which time I passed out twice. I witnessed one patient suffer cardiac arrest and another die, just feet from me while waiting countless hours for critical care. New Mexico ranks 49th out of 50 in healthcare in US, and Presbyterian is the state's largest hospital.
I was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix which Presbyterian removed, but the IV drugs they used caused permanent hearing loss: 70% in my right ear and 20% in my left after only 3 days. Despite repeatedly informing the hospital, they dismissed my concerns.
An ENT later confirmed that this hearing loss is common with patients she sees after Presbyterian hospital stays. When I confronted the hospital with my records, they sent a hostile response and later removed all references to my hearing loss from my medical files. I recorded the entire hospital stay on my cell phone including every conversation I had with Presbyterian every day about my hearing loss.
Before I was discharged, I was wrongly told I likely had bladder cancer, causing months of anxiety while I waited to get another opinion. In violation of HIPAA, Presbyterian shared my private information with many oncology centers who called me daily while I waited to see a different MD, stoking my anxiety about cancer. I later had surgery to remove debris Presbyterian left inside me. A specialist outside Presbyterian confirmed the tumor had almost no chance of being cancer, which a biopsy later proved.
I've passed this to my lawyer for further action, and to the Joint Commission on Hospitals and all relevant medical licensing authorities to investigate, because the beautiful people of NM deserve so much better.
8 novembre 2023
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