Saddleback Memorial Medical Center

Poor hospital. incompetent staff! …I had to fend for my elderly father and chase down nurses while they play on their phones… just let me die… dont take me there!

I’m really confused with these reviews… I thought maybe this was for a medical building or doctors offices down the street from the hospital. I’m not really sure what ER is being referred to in the reviews because the Saddleback ER is like 5 blocks away from here. Is there some hidden, really bad ER here? I just had a terrific experience at the Saddleback Memorial ER. It doesn’t sound like I’d ever want to go to get treatment from wherever you folks went.

Im sort of torn on my review here. I feel like I was extra patient, because I knew going in to this ER I would be there for hours… you always are.
I got to the ER on Easter morning, around 10:15am. There were no other patients waiting at the time, and no one was at the front desk. A woman came out, and asked if she could help me, so I said I needed to check in. Described my problem, filled out some paperwork and got my wrist band.
About 8 people came in right after me, and most of them were taken back before me. I totally understand this, as they take you in order of the severity of why you are there. I was there with severe neck pain.
The nurse who took me back, when I told him I have had my pain for two weeks said, «So you waited two weeks and decided Easter would be a good time to come in to the ER?» I said, no, Ive been to my doctor, gone to physical therapy, had an MRI, was at the Urgent Care yesterday and was given a shot of Toradol and told if my pain came back to come to the ER, so THAT is why I am here, on Easter.” He seemed annoyed I was there. I am at about a level 8 pain. I have been in a level 8 — 10 pain for over two weeks at this point, with no relief, and constant 24 hour pain, I dont need a pain in my rear end with an attitude.
I was taken back to a room, that had coral sheets on the bed, and I was wearing a coral dress. I made a comment about how I match the décor, and he was not amused, so I just decided to stop talking.
A doctor came in after a while, and I described everything to her, and that I had an MRI two days before at Saddleback Valley Radiology. I did not have the results yet, and she said she would see what she could do to try to get them, and that she would get me a shot for my pain and come up with a medication plan for pain. I was given a muscle relaxer from my doctor on my initial visit, and other medications from the Urgent Care the day before. Nothing was controlling my pain, and the shot of Toradol had worn off the day before in only three hours.
A nurse came back to the area, and was stating the nurse that was supposed to be in this area of the ER, was running late. She came into my room, and gave né an anti nausea pill, stating they do that any time they administer a narcotic to a patient. She then gave me a shot in my arm. I know it was not Toradol, but I did not know what it was. She told me she would be back to check on me. Honestly, I was so comfortable in that bed, I truly didnt care that I was clearly forgotten about. I have a lower back injury from car accidents, and laying on my back with this neck injury aggravates that. So to be in the hospital bed with my upper back elevated felt great. Over an hour later, a different nurse came in asking me if I wanted to go home, and if I was ready. I said, «Shouldnt you be the one telling me that? I had a shot over an hour ago and am just sitting here waiting for someone.» He said, «Well, we are waiting for you to feel better.» I asked what the shot was, and it was a type of morphine. So yeah, of course I was feeling better. If they were waiting for that, shouldnt someone have checked on me? The only reason I didnt care, was again, I was more comfortable in that bed than I had been in two weeks, so I just wanted to stay. The nurse then asked me how I was getting home. I had been dropped off at the ER, I didnt want to waste anyone elses Easter, as I knew I would be there a long time, so I was dropped off and arranged a ride when I was ready to go home. I feel like someone should have worried about that BEFORE giving me a shot that would disable me from driving. Perhaps make sure I wasnt going to have to drive myself home first.
Also, no one asked me about any medical conditions, or any medications I take on a daily basis. I take many. I think that is important, and I am surprised no one checked.
The doctor came back in a bit later, with some prescriptions, the results of my MRI and discharged me. I was never offered a blanket, in the freezing room (which is fine, I LOVE it cold), no water, nothing. I was literally forgotten about.
At one point, the nurse who administered my shot came over and I hear her telling the other nurse that she asked (I believe she said Holly) to get the results of my MRI, and she was snapped at and told no, so she said good luck trying to get those. I mean really? First of all, talk so the patient cant hear you. Second of all, who is this woman to say no… I am a patient in the ER who needs something, I dont appreciate the NO.
I was at this hospital for a total of about 4 hours… and I dont really think I had a positive experience, other than actually being comfortable in their bed… which is truly the only reason I am ok with being there so long.

I was admitted to Saddleback on 2÷27÷15 for a scheduled robotic hysterectomy. While waiting to be taken to the pre-​op room, I was called by the assisting dr., on instructions from my surgeon who would be coming from UCI Med. Ctr. to perform the surgery to get an update on surgery timing. It was a scheduled 3:00 surgery on a Fri… probably not smart… and the assisting dr. was informed by Saddleback there was a 1−½ hour delay. The hospital had not called to inform the dr… rather the dr. called to check. I proceeded with the admitting process, in gown, ready to go with the exception of the IV insertion. I was treated well by my nurse, Amy, but at no time did any personnel from Saddleback come to me with an explanation, apology, or any comment whatsoever. Eventually, the surgery was cancelled… mind you, after all the pre-​prep, admittance, etc. My frustration was beyond belief… why did this happen, why did no-one…department head from the hospital or anyone… give me the courtesy of an explanation… or even a call after the fact? Does an individual surgery matter to them? I understand there are emergencies… but then someone give me the courtesy of an explanation. Shame on Saddleback ~ not a good way to do business.

Every single time I come here it’s a ridiculous wait, I was actually here early early this morning waiting to go in as my two year old was violently puking all over me and the chair and the floor in the waiting room and me losing my sh*t hysterical with tears because my baby was crying and in a lot of pain. this didn’t seem to concern them at all considering they kept us waiting.
Took us into triage, asked questions, rectal thermometer on an already hysterical toddler. not such a bright idea there’s a thing called an armpit for that. as a super overprotective mother you know I didn’t like that. Kept us waiting again in triage for a LONG time .then the nurse in the ER let us know he had to go so someone else will take us back. still waiting almost 20 minutes later, they take us back, let us know the room we will be in is taken but we can sit on a bed in the middle of the huge mess the ER is and wait for the other patient to be transported which took a good 30 minutes or more. got in the room which hadn’t even had infection control done. dirty used needles on the floor and another dirty patient tray next to the bed my sick baby was on. no blankets for her luckily we brought our own and, my husband had to bug for blankets for her.
Luckily the doctor that night and saw the dirty tray, he was as pissed as I was and had the nurses clean up that sh*t asap.
Also here’s a tip from a person in most of the nurses age group that is clearly more mature than almost every nurse that works here. don’t talk crap on your patients so loud that everyone else can hear you. If you can’t handle working late then go home nobody needs negativity when that’s why they’re there in the first place.
Only ONE nurse was super sweet and I forgot her name but I know she had reddish hair, she actually sympathized for my baby and made sure we had what we needed. Sorry to her because I was a huge b*tch by 4:30AM wanting to leave since my child hasn’t slept at all and was begging to leave and go home.
Honestly, my experience at this hospital has never been good. even when I gave birth to my daughter in 13′ all the nurses were major b*tches and I had to lay down the law with them too.
Go to Mission, yeah, it’s farther but it’s so much better.

Worst experience in a hospital ever. Horrid!! They left me lying on the ER floor, screaming in agony and throwing up for four hours while rolling they’re eyes at the front desk. When they finally took me back they realized I needed an emergency appendectomy.
The front desk staff are horrible. I don’t care if my arm is hanging by a thread, I will never step foot into this hospital again.

I gave it 2 stars for efficiency and expediency-​but as for the treatment from doctors, nurses and staff – that’s another thing.
The doctor is the same guy we always get — bald – tall – stoic – seems to know his stuff– No real bed-​side manners – kind of the been there done that attitude-​quick in and out.
Steve the nurse — -where do I begin? Crude comments – that made both my daughter very very uncomfortable… all eluding to sexual connotations and if that wasn’t bad enough – he shoved – (yes I that’s the action) one of those ear – looky things into my ear – proceeded to cram it so far deep – and twist and turn… until I let out a Unilocal – and he said (and this is just ONE of the gross comments).if you don’t be quiet, I’ll have to take your temperature rectally… and I’m sure that won’t be your first experience with that”. !!! And that’s just one… it kept going like that.
I am writing the complaint board for certain. If you are a woman or your daughter needs to go to Saddleback Hospital and you see a light skin black man-​with green or blue eyes coming in to be your RN — -ask for someone else.
Other than that… ugh…they pretty much dole out a lot of prescriptions and send you on your way… usually a slow ER – but tonight was very busy.

One word… HORRIBLE! Stay away from this hospital!

I had to hit the ER with abdominal pain and ended up in the hospital a few days for an appendectomy and lapriscopy. Instead of the normal paragraph style I am just going to outline things by roles.
ER Front Desk — very helpful and organized
Triage Nurse — when someone is in excruciating pain, you do not need to be apathetic.
ER Nurse — Kendra — she was great, she was very attentive to my pain level and even when she got super busy made sure someone took care of me — she wasn’t like the nurses later that would refuse pain medicine. Thank you Kendra, my abdomen loves you.
ER Helpers — brought me warm blankies!
CAT Scan lady — she was the most explanatory and patient person I have ever had to deal with. Even though I was loopy on pain meds she was quick to aide and laugh at my random «what is this picture!!!»
Ultrasound lady — RUDE, I felt like I was dealing with someone who hated their job. Plus she pushed that wand thing down on my appendix. Okay, I know, doing her job… but I can still hate her for that.
Transporting people — most of them were fine, but one of the older guys talked to himself which was really strange
Regular nurses — most of them were great but my complaint is around nurses who feel they are doctors. It was very apparent when they would not do as the doctor directed regardless of your pain. Yes, ms. last night nurse this is for you. You left me for an hour while I could see you on the computer.
Dr. Tang — a good doctor with a good attitude. He has a fantastic bedside manner.
Dr. Tran — I wish I could make you my regular doctor. You are an exceptional doctor.
Dr. anaesthesia — While I insisted I didn’t want to kiss you, thank you for knocking my bum flat out for the surgery. Great job.
Hospital Overall — It is kind of a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ thing with the nurses. The beds for longer stays are comfy and you have cable tv. Initially I had a roommate that would keep me company through the 3 am Code Red alarms. Whatever those are.