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She went in for a routine procedure, aspirated, and died 14 days later
I am deeply disappointed with the care provided at this hospital. While I understand that healthcare workers are often overworked and under pressure, that does not excuse the lack of communication, compassion, and attentiveness my family experienced during an incredibly vulnerable time. There were significant gaps in communication. We were often left with unanswered questions, unclear plans of care, and inconsistent information from different staff members. At times, it felt like we had to advocate aggressively just to receive basic explanations or updates. Compassion was also lacking. A hospital should be a place where patients and families feel supported, especially during serious or emotional situations. Unfortunately, there were moments when concerns were brushed off, emotions were minimized, and empathy was absent when it was most needed. No family should feel unheard, dismissed, or confused while entrusting their loved one to medical professionals. This experience added unnecessary stress to an already painful situation. My mother was 58 years old when she trusted this hospital with her life. She went in for what we were led to believe was a routine procedure—a gastric bypass that, in hindsight, was unnecessary. She was 5’4” and 230 lbs at her heaviest. During surgery, she aspirated, a fact the hospital was fully aware of. Despite this, she was sent to a regular room, not a higher-level unit. For two full days, my mother declined under their care while her daughters were not properly informed of what was happening or how serious her condition was. We were kept in the dark until it was too late—until she had to be placed on a ventilator. My mom remained on that ventilator for 14 days. I watched the life slowly leave her eyes. Throughout this experience, our family was lied to repeatedly - by surgeons and by hospital staff. Information changed, questions were dodged, and accountability was nowhere to be found. What we experienced was not just a medical failure, but a complete failure of honesty, communication, and humanity. I am sharing this as a warning, in hopes of preventing another family from experiencing this kind of loss. She was 58 years old. She had 4 girls one son and 10 grandkids. And now, everything that was her fits into a jar thats sits on a shelf.
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