If you were getting a major procedure done--say, surgery--and you had your choice of local hospitals, which would you choose?

Wash Co?
Waynesboro?
Chambersburg?
Martinsburg?

Let's say, hypothetically, Frederick and D.C. and Hopkins are all out of reach.

Anyone care to cast a vote? I'm choosing a doc, and thought I'd consider their hospital affiliation, too.

Personally, I’ve had no problems with Washco Hospital’s level of care. In the last 10 years I’ve had back surgery, a relative had back surgery and breast cancer surgery there, no major problems. Many ER and urgent care visits between my son and his many sports injuries and other family members from suspected heart attacks to bad flu-like symptoms and each time no major complaints I can recall just now. The wait in the ER/urgent care center can be really long – like 6 hours – at busy times, which is probably my biggest gripe. And there was one male nurse who acted like a jerk once. And semi-private rooms kinda suck. But overall, the care has been fine. I usually spend time finding a good doc – one who does lots of the procedures he’s gonna do on me or my family member, and one who is generally respected by fellow healthcare providers (look for a doc who treats the other docs’ family) and I think that is the most important thing.

I cannot comment on the other hospitals.

Johns Hopkins or Univ. of MD. I would drive to make sure I had the best.

However, I know most people get annoyed driving long distances. Washington County is my answer. My family and I have never had any problems that Wash. Co. couldn't cover.

I'd be more concerned with choosing the right surgeon than worrying about which hospital (s)he used. When it comes to docs, I tend to go by word of mouth, preferably from a really good doc that I already know.

I wouldn't take my dog to Martinsburg. I'm not real fond of WCH. I'm partial to Winchester.

I haven't heard anything good about Martinsburg. I've known of a couple of people having mis-diagnoses made by doctors there, and not really great care.

It's not on your list but I'm partial to Frederick Memorial. I've never been to Washington County Hosp. but haven't heard anything too terrible about it. They seem to have a lot to offer.

Since I used to work at WashCo, I'm partial to it, especially after getting to know a lot of the docs. I know who is an idiot and who isn't, by looking at the orders they write. If they can't figure out the strength and dosage of the meds they are ordering, (as in calling them frequently on several patients for several meds) I don't want them working on me!

I also have a favorite surgeon. He is a perfectionist. He also happens to be an excellent pilot. Can you say over-achiever? I have never had need of his services, but he is pretty rough on the staff. That's because he has the best interest of his patients at heart, and demands the best from the rest of the staff.

I have no problem with City in Martinsburg, but I've not been sick enough to need urgent care. They did handle my Mom's colonoscopy very well, although she had to go to Hopkins for the major surgery. I personally don't think that a doctor in Winchester or Hagerstown is any better than a doctor in Martinsburg.

X2

But out of the 4 I'd choose Chambersburg.
Wash Co is on my bad list, due to the fact that they have no NICU. Sent my wife and I to U of M hospital to deliver my son. Worst experience with a hospital room we ever had!!!

Rom,
Sorry to hear about your wife and baby. I know that the Festival of Trees in December was a fundraiser to get NICU beds. It's coming, too bad it wasn't in time for you guys.

My poor wife was so scared.

They said I had to go home get her stuff and "find" her once we get to UofM!!!!!
I wasn't allowed to ride in the ambulance with her!!!

The delivery went well and thank god my son was ok. After we got out of delivery we had to move into a "Shared room"!!!! I flat out told the nurses that we will not share a room because I needed to stay with my wife. No way in hell was I going to leave her with a newborn in Baltimore. We spent almost a week there without any of our family coming to see us and about 6 different nurses being assigned to us. Plus, students constantly came by with the head doctor to "observe" when he made his rounds.

My wife is expecting again this June. I told her doctor that we will not be going to Baltimore again, even if means I have to break hospital rules and drive her to Chambersburg or Winchester.

I can not phathom why a big hospital like Wash Co has no NICU. Martinsburg even has one!!!

I had emergency hernia surgery at Chambersburg hospital 3 summers ago. Be very careful when you enter, and make sure that every person who touches you accepts your insurance. Chambersburg Hospital takes MAMSI, but apparently Chambersburg Anesthesia Associates (the favored ones) doesn't. I got to the hospital at 9:00 AM and they didn't get me into surgery until 7:00 PM, but nobody ever told me that they didn't take my insurance. By the time they were ready to take me into surgery, I was recovered enough that I could have left the hospital and scheduled the surgery using an anesthesiologist who took my insurance, but I was never given that opportunity. I walked out of there a week later thinking everything was taken care of.

Imagine my surprise when I get a bill from Chambersburg Anesthesia Assoc. 3 months later for $1,350 - it was enough to give me ANOTHER hernia! When I called to inquire, they told me that insurances paid more for Waynesboro Hospital - that's nice, but I was in Chambersburg. And Chambersburg Hospital told me it wasn't their problem that neither their staff nor the anesthesia guy told me they didn't accept my insurance.

I fought it for about a year and finally got the insurance company to pay all but $86. It took the anesthesiologist until this past December to get their money, and I wouldn't have paid them a dime except they were going to send me to a collection agency.

So, the moral of my story is BE VERY CAREFUL, and don't let Chambersburg Anesthesiologists near you, or you will have an outrageous bill.

momsapilot - Would that favorite surgeons last name start with a "C"?

Congratulations Rom!

No, 'fraid not! 25 more choices!

Thanks for the info! Your story, Rom, was especially interesting, since I am looking for a new Ob/gyn.