Summa Health System Thomas Campus

This is my first time at St Thomas(Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center) for a surgery. I came early for surgery & was greeted by very friendly staff. I was taken back to prep which is my least favorite part because I hate getting IV's. I believe the woman that did mine is named Allie. She saw that a wear a watch and decided to go in right there because a watch band will often constrict the area a bit and make it easier to find a vein. I have to say, she didn't hurt me at all and this was the best IV I've ever had!! I usually feel it and am constantly aware that it's there. Not this time. I'm able to move around and there is zero discomfort. Every single nurse I've had has been absolutely wonderful. The aides and dietary staff have been so friendly and helpful. The doctors have been great making sure all my questions are answered. I haven't had to wait more than one minute when I've had to push the call button for the nurse. Room service has been great about my orders. The food is just ok. The gravy on the pot roast had raw onions in it and the roast itself was extremely dry. The best things I had were the spinach side salad with French dressing and the cheeseburger for lunch and cream of wheat for breakfast. The eggs are your typical scrambled eggs that are bland and the turkey sausage was dry but overall, they didn't let me go hungry. I have to say I'm very impressed with everyone that has helped me here. If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it here in a second!

Review based on MRI and registration experience only. Because of this, I have not given it a 1 star rating as to be fair.

Awful, awful awful! Worst experience ever regarding a procedure. I am still in complete awe of how poorly this went.
I am a Lupus Warrior so medical appointments, procedures and processes are not new to me. I also worked in the medical field for 17 years.

I started off by going to the entrance on the rear of the building as instructed. The parking was free so bonus there. I walk in the entrance marked MRI. The interior was dark and abandoned. It was like I walked into a business that had closed. There was a check-in station, closed and unlit, a waiting lounge, again unlit, a chain across a hallway with a stop sign on it and another hallway off to the side. Ok...creepy. After standing and looking around, a gentleman walked in from outside and asked if I needed help (where he came from..no clue). Of course I said yes I am here for an MRI. He points to a phone sitting on the ledge of the check-in desk. Pick up the phone and they will help you. He then leaves. I pick up the phone, it begins ringing. A voice answers from the great beyond. Have I been to registration yet? Um no. Hang on I will be out. Ok. Finally a person walks up behind the chain. I'll get you started on your way to registration. Ok. Several turns down a long, desolate hallway and we reach a set of elevators. Ok take these up a floor...then more directions to registration. Up and away I go. Follow the directions except there is nothing on my left...Lots on my right. No information desk (I am actually at the main hospital entrance). I see a surgery desk. Low and behold, the same gentleman that helped me earlier saves me yet again! Now hurry up and wait and wait and wait. Almost 45 minutes later, it's my turn (the only person ahead of me was the one at the desk when I got there.) Finally registered. Now, to make the looonnngg journey back through the bowels of the hospital.

Back at the deserted desk. Pick up the phone. I'm backkkkk. The tech is now rushed as it is over an hour past my scheduled appointment. Rushes me through a bunch of questions and has me put my purse in a locker. Another tech gets me set up and sucks me in the machine. Oh, btw, this is for my ankle. I put my headphones on and she walks out of the room. No "Are you ok?" Or "We are starting now". Just music. No status checks or updates are given. I begin to feel my toes go numb. Ignore it. Now I involuntarily start tearing do to the extreme discomfort that has now turned into pain. Push the button....mistake!

A voice speaks to me through my headphones.
"What do you need?"
"Are we almost done?"
"NO, what's the problem?!"
"I am in pain, can we re-adjust?"
"NO! We have 20 minutes left. If we stop now, we have to start all over! What do you want to do?!"
"Continue I guess."
Silence.
Machine starts again.
So uncomfortable. I manage to the end somehow.
Out of the machine. I grab at my foot.
"Don't move yet! I have to put the table down!"
"Too bad, I am hurting!"
Table down. Glaring at me as I am not leaving the room fast enough. My foot is not cooperating. Finally stumble out of the room.
"Get your things. Go back out the way you came in."
Hobbling down the hallway, I let myself out of the chained hallway and to the parking lot.

Awful, awful awful....

Unbelievably historic. If you are a friend of bills this is a must visit! Meetings are here. And the chapel located right down the hall is a must see. Archive items on display are an added bonus!