Medical Malpractice

Hospitals and Customer Service...Where has it gone?

We all have our fair share of horror stories at a hospital. But I've come to disrespect a small percentage of nurses and doctors who seem to forget that hospitals are businesses that have customers who should demand outstanding customer service. I mean - if I stayed in a hotel that cost $2,500 a night - I think I would expect to be treated well. So tell me, what hospitals have you had experience with that people should know about (both good and bad)?

Public Comments

1. because all the lawyers have made them spend so much time doing ooodles of paperwork, they can't spend the time being good customer service people. Don't let Hilary Clinton tell you the solution is to let HER fix health care. She's a lawyer, and the reason it COSTS 2500 bucks in the first place is because of all the lawsuits and frivolous malpractice costs.
2. I work at a hospital, and customer service is top priority here. People can and have lost their jobs for being rude to customers. It's simply not an option to be anything but your best here. On the other hand, I had a horrible experience at another hospital when my dad had a work-related accident. It was a catholic-run hospital, and surprisingly, their employees and even the nuns were absolutely horrible. Dad had a fall, and a head injury, so myself, my brother and my stepmother spent many nights in the ICU waiting area. In the "sleeping room", you're allowed one chair per family, and it's just one big room, with zero privacy, and you were only allowed in that room from 8p-7a. At 7a, they made you get up, get out into the other waiting room, and they took your pillows and blankets from you and you couldn't have them back until 8p. this was in January, and during the day one day I asked for a blanket because I was cold, they told me no. (in my hospital, if I told a customer no, I could just continue my merry arse out the door, we may not be able to satisfy every single demand, but we will do just about everything in our power to come to a satisfactory ending). I had my mom bring me a blanket from home, and the nun who worked the waiting room desk acted as though mom had brought me a big baggie of anthrax to throw around. Thankfully after my dad was stabilized, we could bring him back to my hospital (unfortunately we're not a trauma hospital) to finish his recovery. We're not perfect here, but at least we try, which is more than I can say for most hospitals.
3. At the hospital I'm not concerned with customer service I'm concerned with them fixing what is wrong with me/family/friend. I could care less if they were rude or not if I know everything is all right.