St Michael’s Hospital

Usually the customer service is helpful — However the X-​ray department receptionists can be quite anal. My family doctor works for St. Michael’s Family Services, and had requested an xray for me. Because he hadn’t signed one part of the document requesting said x ray, I was refused service. I had to go back to my doctor at 410 Sherbourne 4^th floor, and have my doctor sign the form.
When I told him what happened, he just rolled his eyes.

St. Mike’s is, first and foremost, an inner city hospital. As such, if you come in through the ER, expect to be hustled through by triage nurses who’ve seen everything, and to see at least a couple beat up crackheads who are tweaking so hard, they don’t even know they’re injured. But the standard of care on offer here, belies all of that, and reveals a deeply caring staff of highly trained doctors and nurses, who, like the patients, put up with some of the inner-​city issues, because of the opportunity to change lives and help people who need it most.
I had to have emergency neurosurgery here, to relieve a severe spinal cord compression in my neck. Every single staff member that I interacted with, from the clinical assistants all the way up to the neurosurgeon who performed my operation (Dr. Perrin), treated me with respect and dignity and compassion for the fear and uncertainty that spinal surgery naturally brings out.
Nobody wants to end up in the hospital, but if you live in downtown Toronto, it’s comforting to know that the closest hospital is a really good choice.

I came here today for the fourth annual iBEST competition for the Ryerson and st Michaels collaboration. It was a great event, I was able to listen to many different research fields in biomedical physics. There was a student competition which allowed the winners to revive travel funds. Such a great idea and I am impressed of what came out of this competition.

I was not too pleased with my experience with their lithotripsy unit. I had a stent insertion and a lithotripsy done on one occasion, an additional lithotripsy on another, an unexpected admission and then the stent removal.
(1) I am diabetic and hence somewhat compromised in fighting infection. Antibiotics properly should have been given before (several days before) and after all three procedures. They were not.
(2) After the first and second procedure I developed a blood infection. As there was minimum pain in the kidney and a high fever with extreme chills, I can only assume this was sepsis and not a urinary tract infection. The first time it was misdiagnosed by another hospital’s ER (separate review) and subsequently treated successfully by my personal care physician.
(3) During the second time I again developed the same symptoms and visited St. Mikes’ ER. After waiting several hours I was seen by a physician who said she was still waiting for blood results. She said she would get back to me but it turned out she left the hospital to go off shift before the results were back and did not inform me. After about 10 hours they decided to admit me due to a high creatinine level. As it was normal a few weeks earlier and creatinine increases gradually in the case of kidney failure and not suddenly, I guess they covering their asses. But they did nothing during my overnight stay except to administer saline IV, which made me wonder if they were just looking for another admission to bill to OHIP. I recovered from the second fever by use of antibiotics and my personal care physicial wisely prescribed another course before the stent was removed.
(4) Stent insertion and removal was quite painful. I had had a stent inserted once before when I lived in Chicago and I was sedated to the point of sleeping. But despite the fact that I was having a lithotripsy immediately after the stent insertion and was going to be sedated for that they told me I could not be sedated for the stent insertion. This seems rather stupid since both procedures were taking place in immediate succession and they could not provide a good reason not to do so. I can understand not sedating during the removal of the stent as it did not involve another procedure.
(5) Allegedly the stent was to prevent scratching and bleeding due to broken up kidney stone pieces. But while it was in place I only passed a bit of sand. I did not pass broken up kidney stones until after it was removed. Despite their being rather large pieces, these caused no pain or bleeding. This makes me wonder if the whole idea of stenting prior to lithotripsy is another money-​making game played by urologists.
(6) The room I stayed in overnight was almost unbearably hot and it also housed two cardiac patients who just had valve replacements. Exposing cardiac patients to such an uncomfortable condition did not seem the wisest thing to do. Evidently the building is so old its infrastructure is falling apart!
I’d welcome any comments from the hospital or from medical professionals.

What can I say about St Michaels? This is by far the best ER hospital in the city. Their quick response time is amazing when unfortunately my husband and I got rear ended by a moronic taxi driver. Luckily we were ok just a bit in shock. And also at the time I slid off from the motorcycle during a trial test. I was not injured but I had a very sore body the next day. The doctors here are very attentive.
I also love St Michaels Women Clinic when I had to go for the semi annual colposcopy follow-​up; the clinic had a modern design to feel to it and state of the art medical equipment felt like you were in a dental clinic!

Superb, compassionate hospital with so many connections into the community. Very (from my experiences, all mr ER trips being very valid and very justified) excellent Emergency Dept, but like all hospitals, you never know wait time. That’s standard across any hospital. I’ve waited actually at St Mike’s very little. Again, I’ve had serious issues and they have always been ready for me — literally. The hospital is a live-​saver.
ER doctors are kind, nurses are very compassionate (remember, never go into ER being an idiot and demanding — be as kind as you can under your health circumstances and they are equally as kind and compassionate to you, truly — in ER, they have an –extremely stressful job– especially in the catchment area for St. Michael’s Hospital, which is the neighbourhood the hospital is in; at times people trying to seek drugs, as opposed to legit medical help, so give the ER a terrific hands up).
St. Michael’s has been a life-​saver many times and being a Catholic hospital, they strive to work by their mission and values very well and they go so VERY well. Thanks St Mike’s for being there. The number and variety of their programs and clinics is extensive and their doctors as well as all their support staff are really really friendly and helpful. They, (unlike a hospital like Mt Sinai), work with some poorer, less fortunate clients who deserve the same attention to medical care as anyone else and I’ve never seen a hospital work so incredibly well in the community and with outpatient services all the time.
They are Toronto’s Urban Angel.

I was first drawn to this hospital because I had to pick a place to give birth 20 years ago and I figured the Catholic way is the no-​nonsense way, you know: Push, scream, wipe, and then take it and go. I don’t need to be coddled when doing a chore (Women’s College with an allocated mid-​wife swaying a tannis root potpourri over your third eye). And I didn’t want to end up at that hospital known as Caesareans R Us (Mt Sinai) because the obstetrician-​on-​call had a golf weekend planned.
I successfully gave birth to two baby heathens (we are not Catholic!) at St. Mikes and could not be have happier with the delivery service and the care of the nurses.
Years later, in The Age of Internet Oversharing, I had my very first colonoscopy. This procedure is that thing you have to have do at a certain age and if you don’t, you’re a pussy. It’s middle aged hazing is what it is. To prepare you take 4 poop tablets and all night long you drink 4 litres of poop «prep.» Then you poop. All night. It’s not all that bad because you are bristling with the excitement knowing the next morning you will have an anal probe and cookies after. The ultimate day.
The Endoscopy Clinic at St. Mike’s is well run machine. You check in and you wait your turn. The very idea that motley group sitting in the waiting room was more or less voluntarily going to have the most intimate of procedures kind of blew my mind. THE CHOCOLATE STARFISH FEDERATION UNITED! Thoughts that run through your head in a hospital should probably not be shared but this is Unilocal and we are all friends here.
Everything was explained in a letter that was mailed months earlier. The key to success is in the prep and directions were very clear and the length of time time your hospital visit was estimated 3 – 3.5 hours which was exactly right.
The nurses at St Mikes and administration at the endoscopy clinic could not have been nicer. Anal probes are their business and they were extremely gracious about it, to the point it almost seemed normal like getting your nails done. The nurse who injected my fluid pack, which would later contain the painkillers, laughed at my jokes and eased my anxiety. Dr. Irvine, who performed the colonoscopy, was equally jovial and explained clearly what would happen and that the drugs would make me sleepy, not turn me into a werewolf. Or an exotic dancer.
Funny was the nurse who helped with the procedure said to me: «You seem agitated.» I know, right? I suppose she performs these so often that she can be non-​chalant about sticking a camera up a stranger’s butthole but I’m scared out of my mind! I get freaked when a dude slips a pinky up there during foreplay, I DON’T EVEN WEAR THONG UNDERWEAR.
But I sucked it up, lay on my side, and accepted the narcotic drip into my life. Narcotics… THAT is the answer, I felt nothing, emotionally or physically. I fell asleep (as they inserted the camera hose), into that kind of submissive sleep you drift into when you are watching Mad Men on Sunday night. I woke up minutes later to what looked like a close up on something on Top Chef during the calamari challenge. You can watch the procedure on the screen which is AWESOME. Nothing hurt, the whole thing took 20 minutes but it felt like no time at all.
Afterwards they wheel you on your bed to a room with the rest of the recuperating Chocolate Starfish Federation. They let you sleep some more and the nurses whisper in your ear: «It’s okay to fart.» And the low notes of relief fill the room.
And then you get cookies and juice!

Entered through emergency for a hernia that had blown out. I received «world class» treatment. Highly professional from admissions to leaving after 4 days in the trauma unit. Nurses, Surgeons, all staff were helpful and informed. I was treated with respect and spoken to in an educated manner explaining all aspects of the treatment and followup. I just wish that the respect they showed me would be in kind from some of the demanding, entitled patients that have no repect for the nurses or the other patients. They have spent the money where it counts in equipment and expert doctors, so don’t let the worn out furniture put you off. Be kind and kindness will be returned.

I’ve been here a few times, as a patient or accompanying family members. I can’t say anything bad about this hospital, especially if I compare it to some of the US health care places I have been to (cough! expensive and less attentive). The specialists we’ve come across are caring, patient, and extremely knowledgeable yet able to explain complex medical situation in concise «normal» language. Love their «patient navigators» who are nurse professionals that guide and help you through whatever tests the doctors have ordered.
I wouldn’t wish sickness on me or anyone. But if I do get sick, it’s comforting to be in this place.

I came here for an allergy test with Dr. Vadas. He and his staff were very friendly and explained all the steps that I needed to take very clearly, which I greatly appreciated. They took the time to answer my questions and make me feel at ease, particularly during the prick test, which went by very quickly.
I kind of wonder about the quality of the tests, though, since I am incredibly allergic to cats (2 hours in a room and I lose the ability to breathe) and my cat allergy test came up negative. I wonder if it’s some residual allergy meds that I took earlier that week, but it was before the stated 3-​day cutoff. Then again, I take allergy meds maybe 5 times a year, so maybe they stay in my system longer? I don’t know.
Anyhow, the clinic was clean, though a bit tough to find.

Great hospital, staff and services but can be a bit confusing to get around.

I was recently taken to emergency by ambulance after being hit by a truck and trailer on my bike. From the nurse who gave me codeine to the plastic surgeon to the x-​ray technician, I was well taken care of. A month of surgery, healing and follow-​ups has resulted in being almost back to normal, which I owe to the hard work of the St. Michael’s team.

Here begins my tale of foot woe. I will have to agree with all previous ER reviews for this hospital — it wasn’t that great. But, according to the nurses and hospital staff, after being «bumped up» from the queue, my waiting time could have been a lot worse. And yes, I am sad to say, I had x-​rays done in front of people who were in the waiting room before me. With no rhyme or reason, I will chalk it up to me being sooo great (sarcasm).
So, the brilliant girl I am, I decided to jump off a 10 foot wall. Because you know, that’s how I roll. The immediate impact to my foot was… immediate. The closest hospital was SM’s and I was taken to Emerg and arrived at 1-​ish. The emerg is old. It looks like it came from a set of some 70’s movie, and the usual, small, kind of smelly etc… I knew I was in trouble because my issue (broken heel) would probably be anyone’s last concern. Not really an emergency, but I still needed to get it checked.
There is a reception lady who asks what happens. Then, I am to check in with another reception lady who asks for address, health card information etc… By the way, if you do not have your health card, that can be retrieved. I found it really cool how connected the systems were. Then, I was to wait in the waiting room to be called.
I was able to watch the Spanish UEFA game while waiting and 2 hours later, I was shuffled into another waiting room to wait for x-​rays. An hour later, I was shuffled into yet another waiting room to wait for x-​rays. One hour later, a 3 minute x-​ray was taken. After that, I was put in the same small waiting room to wait for CT scans to be taken. Meanwhile, I was watching the end of the Spanish soccer game, sitting beside a convict in chains who kept grinning at me (I reminded him of his girlfriend) and two police officers.
An hour later, I was taken to some ghost-​town floor for CT scans and another hour, the doctor told me I had a broken foot. A temporary splinter was put on my foot and 45 minutes later, someone remembered to get my pair of crutches. This was of course after my boyfriend went to ask someone where my crutches were. The nurse apologized for forgetting me.
I left SM’s emergency at 8:45 in the night — 7 hours and change after admission. All for a fracture in the heel. I WILL NEVER JUMP OF WALLS AGAIN!

‘Toronto’s Urban Angel’ truly sets itself as a leader in quality health care. Located in downtown Toronto, St. Michael’s was formerly a Catholic-​owned hospital turned public hospital offering preventive and emergency care to residents and visitors alike. Unlike many urban hospitals that I’ve visited before, visits to the ER at St. Michael’s couldn’t be more easier. Instead of waiting 9 – 10 hours at private U.S. hospitals (done that in the past), you are checked in and attended in a timely manner, ensuring you won’t be spending hours waiting patiently to see a doctor.
The hospital is home to many speciality doctors that you can see if the ER recommends that you see a physician for continuing care. While it can be a wait to see a doctor due to their schedules, the care and guidance provided during a private visit is worth the wait. The only negative aspect that I received during my first visit to St. Mike’s was with the billing department as I had not been in the province for the required 90 days before I qualified for OHIP, and therefore my private insurance took a while to pay the hospital. I had to reassure them that payment was on the way, but it was a nuisance to get statements in the mail every week. Note to billing: «Patience is a Virtue.»
Highly recommended if you’re in Toronto’s downtown core area and require immediate care!

We had a very good experience with St. Michael’s Hospital. My daughter was delivered there. Some highlights are:
— Great nurses — of course not all of them are perfect, but even those that I didn’t like that much didn’t do anything wrong.
— Great infrastructure — everything looks clean and new.
— Delivery — all staff employed in the actual delivery were caring, dedicated professionals. The nurse that actually made the delivery was terrific, she was patient, optimistic, focused and was of paramount importance to the successful outcome.
One of my favourite experiences regarding this hospital was this: your obgyn probably gives you a pamphlet early in your pregnancy with your «schedule». This pamphlet is actually from the hospital, and it tells you what you should do in each week (this week there’s the anatomical ultrasound, this week you should book prenatal classes, etc). There was saying that we should book the hospital tour at the 35^th week (I guess). I called them and they told me that I actually should have called one month earlier, because they were fully booked. I pointed out that they were the ones that told me to do that at that time but the lady was unmoved. I left a message to the Patient Affairs department just asking them to fix their material, because if people rely on the pamphlet they are in for a surprise — expecting nothing more than a fake «alright, sir, will do». They actually called me, very concerned about us not making the tour, and arranged us to be on the next one. I was very impressed.
St. Michael’s is a great place to have a baby. It makes me even more happy to realize that everybody can have the same opportunity as we did, regardless of their wallet size. God I love Canada.

This review is specifically for the Obstetrics department which is located in the Bond street side of the hospital (accessible through the Queen St. side as well).
I moved here from the States (private health care) about five months ago and found out I was expecting during that time. I contacted my local md who recommended that I go and see Dr. S. Kives at St Mikes as shes a great OB and surgeon not to mention also her doctor as well. I double checked with a quick online search and most people had great reviews of her so I was game. This is the beginning of my experiences as and adult using the health care system.
I guess St. Mikes is undergoing some renovations (correct me on this if its always like this, it was my first time going so I dont know if it always looks like this) because the office that they are usually in has been moved to the other hospital building and is in one of the basement floors. The waiting area is a series of chairs and enough room for a stroller as well. I didnt have to wait longer that 7 minutes so it was fine. The front staff was nice but behind a glass window… not sure why. The nurse who saw me first was not Dr. Kives’ usual nurse but was covering because the other nurse was busy already with some patients. This nurse was so nice and took the time to explain everything to me even as far as some logistics at the hospital because it is very different between here and the care I had in the States (tests and so forth). It turned out Dr. Kives was away in Guatemala doing surgeries there,(cool eh?) so I would be seeing the other doctor in the practice, a male! I was like as long as there is no internal checking im fine. He was nice too and took the time to talk to us and explain quite a bit to us again as the nurse before. I mention taking the time because many health care professionals often dont and I think its important that they take time because we as the public dont know anything about medicine or the health care system so its refreshing when someone explains us stuff.
All in all the office staff was very friendly and the nurses were quite helpful. I will update once I get to meet my specific OB. Yes the office looks shabby and is in the basement with low ceilings and nasty lighting, I doubt the staff likes it much as well so I shouldn’t complain they have to see it every day. My mantra was «Stop complaining, its free and you are lucky to have it!!!»

It’s a hospital, and I’m pretty sure that there is only so much you can expect. waiting times are no one’s friend, especially in a hospital in Toronto. But I was actually quite content with my experience in the hospital last night. Although my condition was not one of physical ailment, everyone from the triage nurse to the doctor was amazing to me. The cops from my earlier review stayed with me until I was registered and maybe that’s the only reason that the triage nurse decided to me kind to me, as the officers explained to her why I was there.
It was 3:30 in the morning and another patient has given me another chair to put my feet up so i could get some sleep. He tried joking with the janitorial staff who didn’t even crack a smile then proceeded to tell on us to security that we had our feet up. Keep in mind the chairs are already filthy and it wasn’t like they were in use. But with security down my throat for a silly thing was kind of annoying.
Once I was in the hospital room, I opted to sit on the chair in the corner. This idea didn’t last long once I realized the bed wasn’t getting any use. I curled up in the bed and passed right out. The attending nurse woke me up to discuss why I was in the hospital and when she left, turned off the light for me and brought me a proper blanket so I didn’t have to use my jacket for warmth.
I was asleep for my entire wait in the room, but when the doctor came in, she was amazing with me and like the officers, reassured me that this is just a phase and the steps I need to take. Listening to everything I said and not skipping a beat to be supportive and just beyond kind.
After being at the hospital for over 7 hours, she said I could leave whenever I wanted, although sooner is better for obvious reasons. So as soon as I could, I bolted from the hospital bed to my own.

Got sick!
Got well!