Michael E Debakey Va Medical Center

On this Memorial Day weekend, I want to dedicate this review to those who provide services to us as we served to protect the freedom of this country.
Services at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center to me is a great lifetime benefit besides other privileges we receive. It is an honor to have a large scale facility in Houston. I get a little emotional when I read ranting reviews by people didn’t fully understand where VA medical centers came from.
Granted. The parking is not as easy, same as anywhere in the Medical Center area. They have been trying to build a garage for a while. We just have to learn to adopt a different way of getting here. The staff always warns me not to make appointments after 9 am. Getting into the parking lot is impossible, if you come through the main gate 71. It took me awhile to figure out a better way to find parking — enter through gate 70 as known as Almeda entrance or Parking Lot N. Set this coordinates 29.70 220, –95.38 751 on your GPS and thank me later. Go around the facility to the opposite end of campus as it would save your sanity.
There is a 15-​minutes grace period with doctor’s appointment. As long as you check in at the clinic counter on time, you are good. Appointments are only set by phone only. Oh boy. You need a very good patience dealing with them asking same questions over and over.
There are 2 types of people working at this VA Medical Center: bean counters and well-​trained professionals. You have to go through many lower level workers before being seen by the doctors. It took me 5 visits to get my ID card. Once 4 o’clock hits, they don’t care if you’re in line or not, the counter is closed. That means come back next business day, whenever that might be. Good luck with long weekend.
One day, I asked a receptionist at a check-​in counter for direction, «where is room 304?» A clerk said, «I don’t know. I haven’t logged in yet.» I thought in my head, «never mind, I can read the sign. Sorry to bother you.» Yeah, every room has a number, including bathrooms.
I have no issues with my doctor and his staff. Oh, the waiting room is very funky. There are 5 clinics and connected by doorways inside, so you can see through from first room to last room. My appointment reminder letter says «Space Room» but room label says Clinic 3. By the way, label for Clinic 5 doesn’t exist, go to Clinic 4. Cell and data signals diminish once you’re inside. There’s free WiFi in the waiting rooms but hard to get on.
The blood collection lab on the first floor is tricky. If you show up before 9 am, you are likely to be herded like cattle. Take a number and have a seat start from outer side of the wall near the door. You’ll need to move forward as the patients being seen by the phlebotomists. Think of it as a musical chair. It sucks if you have mobility problems. That’s the way they control a long line in a crowded room. Otherwise, the staff is very courteous. Please don’t get mad about how they do business.
I see everyone comes here have glorious stories behind them, but I haven’t met a soap box. The staff are always respecting their patients. I don’t see any Asians in here, except for medical staff.
The tax-​free gift shop is called PatriotStore or VCS (
). There are attractive sales promotions monthly. I’m waiting for its eCommerce to start so I can buy them online. The cafeteria PatriotCafé has plenty of seating and always busy during breakfast and lunchtime. There are choices of hot meals, sandwich maker at lunch, cold salads, hot beverages and other healthy stuff. There are few gift and crafts vendors outside of cafeteria in the corridor.
There are 3 sets of color-​coded elevators: Red, Green and Blue. The highest floor is 6^th floor, but only Blue elevator takes you there. It’s about a half mile from one end of building to the other. There are few open-​air atria the building for gardens to look out, basketball court and picnic area for the staff.
Being able to use this facility is a privilege, not a right. This is a government facility. Everything is going by the books, just like in the military.

Mack
In Feb 2016 the Doctor at Galveston put in a consult for ultrasound test on my chest for a problem I have with masses related to medication that were given to me by VA.
I called the number they gave me to set up my appointment with this outside Doctor.
In Feb they have not received the correct paper work from the VA C-​Base Dept in Houston
Called VA Gal. in March twice, Called the outside clinic missing paperwork. Called twice in April
They still have not received the information to give me an appointment Whoever the hell C_​Base is that is who Ms Sharon in Galveston keeps blaming this problem on.
First of May nothing, Today the 16^th of May nothing. called VA in Houston asked to speak to Administration got an advocate three times, smart ass attitude trying to blame this problem on me.— hung up on me — called back had to listen to her crap again. Why can a Veteran not speak to someone in the administration office. Think this my be a lot of the problem.
3:36 PM Still no appointment 4 4 4 4 4 months. No appointment.
And by the way these masses can turn to CANCER just as they do for women.
I have had 6 6 6 Surguries so far and I am still developing masses

I first came here 2 years ago, and I had to take a full day PTO to come here bc my visits averaged 6 – 8 hrs.
Now that the VA is «revamped» the wait is significantly less, however, that is paid with the utmost rudest staff in every wing.
Of all the rude staff I’ve had to encounter (anywhere), the ppl at the VA take the cake.
They treat you like you were born to make their lives miserable.
The only staff who are pleasant are in the mental health wing.
If you’re lost, be prepared to be talked to like a moron from the information booth.
The doctors belittled me as a patient and ignore symptoms (I have joint pain, dr would NOT perform tests and was adamant that every problem I had stemmed from diabetes– which I don’t have).
They don’t want to accommodate ppl with assisted equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, etc).
When I filed a complaint, it was just blown off. I filled out paperwork, spoke with the clinic director, still nothing. It’s been 2 months.
I originally came in for back pain (debilitating, sometimes I can’t walk, difficult for me to switch tasks, and so on).
I had to FORCE the dr to put in an order for x-​rays.
I had a 7 hour visit that day bc the dr didn’t order the proper labs.
After all this, I asked for an MRI at least 3 times. The dr stated I have a COMPRESSION on my S1 and says that I’m «fine» it’s just muscular and it’s probably because I’m «way too fat.» *Her exact words* This is AFTER I told her I have shooting pain that runs down my leg.
These ppl are ridiculous, they all need to be fired for their incompetence and carelessness.

Waited 3 hours after the appointment time that we had arrived 30 minutes early to. The staff was not helpful nor were they apologetic. I understand places get busy but 3 hrs of just sitting doing nothing is ridiculous. Veterans deserve MUCH better health care than what is provided here.

This is my first time at this VA Hospital. The parking is as crazy here like in CT & FL VA hospitals. I was told that they valet park over 1100 cars on a daily basis. At least here they have a system which makes it easier. Easier? Yup, that’s how bad the others are with parking.
I did find this Hospital much more orderly. Three times I was asked if I was lost by staff members and if I needed directions. They didn’t tell me how to get there but they walked me to where I needed to go.
My 2 appointments went smoothly. Yes, I was thoroughly impressed.

This place needs a duplicate hospital. Too many people but for the most part they are life savers. And I am truly greatful to them for saving my dad.

The doctors and nurses are very helpful but the way the admin treats the veteran is appalling when you as for items that are necessary to help get you through the day they say they don’t do that here at this va

It is such an honor to come here and bring the Lady for an appointment. Good communication, very pleasant and knowledgeable staff. I love sitting and talking with the vets on their service. I am humbled.

Ok, the funniest thing happen on the way to dropping off my parents. My brother was in the hospital and I was going to drop off my parents there to visit him. He was due to be released the same day. The MOMENT the nurses peeped someone was there, they ran in with the discharge papers and we were out of there in 20 minutes, OOOPS visiting time is over… let’s keep it moving people.
So of course I take my dear brother home, I had no choice. That was the quickest check-​out I have ever experienced. It took me longer to park. and I’m serious

Great hospital. Great staff and doctors. Treat veterans with respect. Great medical care. When you walk in from the staff, doctors, nurses until you leave the valet personal. Excellent service. I thank god we moved back to Texas. Very thankful for this VA hospital.

Always get here an hour or more early due to parking issues. I always bring a friend for their VA visits and parking is awful. You need a lot of patience.

They really need to do something about the parking here. With only one entrance and exit for patient parking it took 25 minutes to get out of the patient lot.

It seems bias if I’d make a review here for obvious reason! Well like any other institutions in the med center parking is a struggle, patience and stressful pursuit so I will advise patients to come at least an hour or two prior their time of appointment. There is valley parking available but it can be traffic at the entrance driveway.

Let me start this by saying I have been to many va hospitals and this place lives up to the low va standards. Be prepRed to look for parking, it’s like finding a needle in a hay stack. Also be on time so arrive 30 min early and expect to be seen 20 min late. Don’t expect friendly service from the low level employees. Some are nice but for the most part they act like they are doing you a favor. I’m am so tired of the bad attitudes from these people.

Ok. It was worth the wait. I finally got an appointment in Texas City clinic. It still is a long wait to see the doctor even if you have an appointment. Also, until you know how things are done, You end up spending more time waiting. If you have an appointment, show up early, and take a number. You have to check in for your appointment, and that’s what the number is for. When they call your number, go to the front desk and check in. (If you are 15 minutes late checking in, you loose your appointment, so be there early just in case there are a lot of people checking in). After check in take a seat and wait till they call you by name. If you have an appointment for labs, just go in and wait for them to call your name. No checkin needed (but you might verify that your name is on the clip board list when the lab tech comes out to call a name.) Lab visits go through the door on the left side of the waiting room. Doctor appointments go through the door on the right. Bring a book to read and ignore the bitching from some of the vets. Prescriptions are delivered through the mail. Takes about a week.
Everyone there, including the door guard are nice and sympathetic to your needs. Remember that they are here to help you. They are very busy.

What a massive facility. I have been transferring from the Robert J Dole VA to this one and the size difference is unreal! I can’t say that I really like the parking here all that much but with a facility this size I don’t see any great solution that I would be happy with. At least they have tons of trees to keep your super long walk shaded. :)
For my first visit here to transfer everything I had to go to a couple of different offices. None of the folks seemed to be happy. The lab or «blood collection» gentleman who was checking in both times I needed lab work there was so rude both times that it made me uncomfortable. I wish I knew who to complain to and might look into that once I am done here. He ordered me and the people I saw check in after me like I was in boot camp again. In fact I remember leaving that day wishing I could go back to Kansas with the nice folks. I don’t like it when people are rude just to be rude. BE NICE PEOPLE! You picked your job not me!
So after trying to get an appointment for 3.5 months I am finally in. The schedulers kept canceling and switching doctors because this one we scheduled you with wasn’t accepting new patients and then that one wont be here on the day we scheduled you. Let me tell you just getting in to get the appointment was ridiculous!
Now that I have finally had my appointment in the Women’s Clinic I can say I have finally found some nice people at the Houston VA. The reception was cramped but the lady behind the counter greeting quickly with a smile. The wait was rather long but I didn’t mind because I was already there and excited to finally be in. The I met the RN working with my physician and she was again nice and understanding. The RN didn’t rush me through questions and she took me from her office straight to the physician. She looked so young I was a little taken back but her warm smile eased my worries and she proved her competence and training through our appointment. I am sooooooo happy with the Women’s Clinic!
If people listened to the signs it would have been even more comfortable. It says no thru traffic «Women’s Clinic Patients Only thru this Entrance» but lots of people used it like a revolving door.

Full disclosure: I am a medical/​mental health provider here.
That out of the way. The MEDVAMC is a great place. I’ve worked at other VA’s as well as other nationally ranked hospitals. I hear a lot of complaints here and there, and while I can’t speak to specific experiences, I can say that the treatment and care in the departments that I’ve worked in have been awesome.
Considering the sorry state of our nation’s medical/​mental care system, people have no idea how great the VA actually is. From the emphasis on using empirically supported treatment, to increased emphasis on PTSD and mental health, it’s the best you can get in certain areas. Considering my experience in private/​public/​VA hospitals, I’ll take working in the VA anytime.

Still as over packed as I recall from years ago. Luv the parking lot expansions!

My first experience here was really good. I moved back to Houston after an 11 year absence. The first trip was simply to reestablish my eligibility to be treated here. It was quick and simple and I was impressed with the efficiency and sensitivity of the staff as I have some special needs that must be met.
My second visit did not go so well. I was out of a medicine I require daily and came here to the ER for an emergency refill. It was a disastrous visit that you can read about on my blog.
.I left here defeated, humiliated and broken.
Having said that, the system does work. I complained to the Patient Advocate and she went to work. All my issues have been resolved and I now have a wonderful Primary Care Physician.
I can’t say enough good things about the Women’s Health Center. It has its’ own entrance so if you are a woman Vet with PTSD due to MST it makes it much easier to enter the hospital. You don’t have to walk through the massive crowds of Veterans milling about in the hallways. The disadvantage is that you can’t valet park to use the WHC entrance and parking by that entrance is difficult to come by. If you draw travel pay or have to get lab work done you still have to leave the comfort of the WHC.
I left Houston in 2001. Since that time this place has undergone a multimillion dollar upgrade and it shows. Gone are the dirt/​gravel parking lots I remember. It looks like a brand new hospital. Nothing is familiar to me. It looks like a first class hospital. Need your mid-​day caffeine fix? You’ll find a Starbucks waiting for you in the main lobby. Not the canned stuff though they do sell it but hot and fresh and made to order.