Winthrop-University Hospital

Very disappointed with this hospital. I heard their ads on TV all the time about being top hospital for cancer patients. I have stage 4 cancer and at one point in my cancer journey, I needed a second opinion. So I telephoned Winthrop Hospital. I told them why I am calling and requested an appointment asap. They said they needed my medical records. So I arranged for them to get my medical records. I again asked for an appointment to see a doctor. They said the doctor had to review my records. I called again to ask for an appointment to see a doctor asap. I was told, they can not give me an appointment and I will have to wait for the doctor to call me in about two weeks to give me the appointment. I was told the doctor is very busy and would not be able to see me until beginning of November 2015. I was told again to wait for the doctor himself to call me and give me an appointment. Well, it is now May 2016 going into June 2016 and I am still waiting for that phone call with my requested appointment. By their actions, they have given me enough evidence that they do not give a rat’s ass about cancer patients, especially cancer patients with stage 4 cancer. They had left and ignored me to die. Good thing they aren’t the only cancer hospital on the face of this earth. They get negative billion and one stars from me.

In short: I was misdiagnosed, mistreated and completely disrespected by the entire nursing staff and doctors at Winthrop.
I made the mistake of going to Winthrop for pain in my chest and upper abdominal pain (right side). I explained that I hadn’t been able to eat or drink anything for about a week without severe pain or discomfort. After about 4 hours in the ER waiting room, they finally took me back to a bed to meet with a doctor.
After about an hour, I finally saw a doctor who ordered an x-​ray and pain meds. After another hour had passed, the nurses came over to my bed and scolded me for not providing them a urine sample and further questioned as to why I didn’t have an IV with fluids. After being belittled for not being able to hold down fluids or being able to go to the bathroom, they attempted to place an IV — however, it immediately popped out of the vein. They stuck me again, told me I couldn’t move my arm or it would pop out again.
Once the IV was «placed», they asked if I was having pain, to which I replied yes. However, rather than giving me anything as the doctor said, they told me that was «too bad» and that they were not going to provide me with anything until I went to the bathroom to provide them a urine sample.
As anyone who has been in a hospital ER knows, it’s freezing! Not once did anyone come check on me to provide me a blanket or come running when my monitor began beeping incessantly due to a low heart rate. The first person who came to check on me was the radiology tech, who not only gave me blankets, but helped usher me to the restroom (as I was finally able to go after having half an IV bag of fluids).
After using the restroom and having my X-​ray completed, a doctor came in and explained to me that I simply had a chest strain and I was to be discharged. When I asked about the pain in the right side of my abdomen and my concern of not being able to eat of drink, he stated,“it’s probably just your body overreacting to the strain.“
I was still in severe pain, and at this point the IV had popped out of the vein again and was beginning to hurt. I asked the nurse several times about it, and after 45 minutes, Peter (one of the nurses) came over to my bedside, ignored my complaints about the IV popping out, and pushed some medication into my IV/​arm — which burned like nothing I’ve ever felt before. After hearing me scream, he decided to push/​pull on the IV in his attempt to put it back in place, and went on a rant about how incompetent the person was who placed the IV.
After messing around with the IV for a few minutes, Peter decided to push fluids through it one last time to see if it had gone back in. Realizing it still wasn’t in and that I was in pain, he decided to pull it out haphazardly and stated, «it doesn’t really matter, you’re discharged.» He then tossed me a Xanax, told me to relax and sign my discharge paperwork.
I left the ER, after 10 hours, sobbing and feeling worse than I had when I had arrived. My fiancé was completely disgusted when he came to pick me up, that he went back in to speak with the doctors — who willingly and openly discussed everything with him, and even gave him my discharge papers. He was not in the ER with me, and not once did they ask who he was or relation to me, clearly violating HIPPA.
The next morning I went to my PCP who was disgusted and upset with the treatment I had received. He immediately had an ultrasound done of my abdomen and found several large gallstones blocking my bile duct and explained I needed surgery relative soon.
The complete lack of empathy, compassion and refusal to listen to the patient who is insisting there is something wrong, only to chalk it up to a chest strain, while refusing to do further testing is ridiculous. Never before have I felt more disrespected and defeated with medical personnel than in this moment. The lack of professionalism and concern for a patients well being was disgusting, with their only concern being clearing out the beds.

Stay away 7 hrs just to get called in to ER. This hospital should close and all the staff should be put on the street. I hope this hospital closes and everyone starves on unemployment. Bunch of incompetent people. My mother went here two weeks later and they held her for two days because the angiogram machine was broken and they screwed the insurance company to their advantage.

I’ve always had good experiences with nurses until I came to this hospital and was assigned to the rudest nurse in New York. Her name is Nira. Beware of her. She didn’t introduce herself, she just showed up huffing and puffing about being at work. Don’t even dare to ask her a question because she will roll her eyes so hard you’ll think they’ll get stuck in the back of her head. If you need a wheelchair, she’ll give it to you and walk away. If you are hooked up to an IV, have someone else check it… mine wasn’t even dripping for two hours until luckily another nurse intervened. She was being rude to every patient, not just me. I heard her being described as «nasty» by someone else. Every other nurse I’ve encountered at this hospital is great. Just her!

2−24−16, I reluctanttly became a patient of Winthrop University Hospital ER.
After enduring a wierd and lengthy registration process, I was assigned to the excellent care of Dr Maureen, Aiad who was professional, caring, willing to listen, and extremely smart,
Koo doos Winthrop for hiring an Emergency Medicine Doctor that can relate to patients with a humanistic touch.
All emergency room staff were very polite .
Ms.Denise Spurill-​R

I have to say I was very interested to read the reviews posted after I had left the hospital. It was absolutely the best experience I had ever had with a hospital. People were nice. I didn’t wait very long to be seen. Of course the ER did not seem busy but hey I still didn’t wait. Someone was readily available to talk to about any issues or concerns. I was admitted for one night and everyone that worked on the floor was great as well. Really made me feel at home as much as possible. Maybe they have made some changes since the other posts, but I cannot find something bad to say.

I have absolutely had it with this place. My 6 month old was admitted yesterday at around 2 p.
Anyway, besides the fact that I had to beg for baby formula and it took 36 hrs to get some damn Vaseline…
The nurses decided to «rearrange» the iv line in my baby’s hand (I begged them to place it in his arm vs hand bed the hand hurts so freaking much). Shortly thereafter, he began to whine in discomfort and the machine’s alarm went off every 5 minutes or so. Someone or another would come in and turn it off and go back about their business.
His iv line was then flushed by a nurse who seemed to have the hardest time getting the meds in … I was a bit worried about that.
Long story short, my baby was screaming for about 20 minutes and the aid came in asking «why is he screaming like that?» And proceeded to check his temperature (rectal) even though he wasn’t warm and the same aid stated that she wouldn’t do rectal temp due to him having diarrhea (about 2 hrs earlier).
After she left and he was screaming even louder I decided to remove the sock that was placed over his iv only to discover that his hand and arm was swollen like a water balloon.
Now he’s sleeping and we (my husband and I) are worried. We asked for another pull out chair and was denied it because only one per patient by the nurse.
The Dr then said of course we can have another chair and left to have someone bring it to us but later returned to let us know that the nurse refused stating that the chairs would stay in the rooms (the freaking place is empty! It’s a damn blizzard!) just in case they get patients. Really? I’ll never return and I’ll make sure I blog every detail of this stay.
YPU GUYS MESSED UP AND A FREAKING CHAIR FOR A WORRIED PARENT IS THE LEAST THAY YOU CAN DO.

Complete negligence on behalf of surgeon as it regards to patient follow up. Surgeon was also late to surgery due to ‘oversleeping’.

The nursing staff is very friendly and attentive, but the doctors are completely aloof and lack any compassion for their patients. My mother was admitted for severe chest pain (she has a history of heart disease and had a stent placed several months ago at Winthrop) and had to wait three days before getting an angiogram, which revealed a 99% closure of a MAJOR ARTERY ON HER HEART. One would think the doctors would have been able to deduce that a patient with a stent, heart disease, and sudden chest pain should not be left waiting. Their handling of her symptoms is a complete joke. They even wrote «possible angiogram» on the marker board next to her bed, as if they might not have done the procedure.
The group of «medical professionals» that practice at Winthrop finally placed another stent… THREE DAYS post-​admittance. The doctor that inserted the stent noted significant bleeding at the incision site and for reasons we cannot get from him, he waited to close the wound. This is NOT normal for this kind of procedure. It’s completely mind-​boggling that a doctor can make such ridiculously ignorant decisions.
We’re taking her to a better hospital with respectable doctors, Winthrop was a complete nightmare.

So my experiences here are a little unique, as I’ve only been here for work-​related meetings and have never been a patient here. I can imagine, however, that patients probably have the same concerns that I do with this place. The traffic, parking, and navigating the overall campus is a modern day Escher painting.
Parking on the street is a hot commodity, so don’t count on it. Finding the entrance that you have to go in is next to impossible. I had a meeting with a doctor who told security I was coming, but luck had it that the gentleman I spoke to had no clue about that. So overall, I try to avoid going to Winthrop whenever possible, unless I want a major headache that is.

Decent hospital but terrible ER. ER nurse Peter Constandy should really reconsider what he does for a living. No empathy or bedside manner. Questionable sanitary practices. I’m disgusted with our experience there. 9 hours in an ER is unacceptable! Me having to search for my own supplies to assist my mother is unacceptable! When the warm compress my mother needed after her IV infiltration had gone cold, I was basically told to make my own warm compress. Unacceptable! I can go on and on but I already typed out a long winded review on their Facebook page. Shame on you, Winthrop!

This is the worst whospital I have ever been in the nurses treat you like s***! The a white nurse named Michelle and she is rude as hell! This is the most worst experience I’ve ever experienced my whole life!

Hands down has some of the best staff I have ever seen anywhere. No one likes going to hospitals, but if you ever, God forbid, are in need of one, this is the place to go. Never have I ever seen so many doctors with such great bedside manners. Everyone makes you feel calm and relaxed. I just had surgery here yesterday, and I was not nervous at all thanks to the entire staff I came across at Winthrop.

My son admitted 2^nd hospital for same reason after being discharged from Southside 4 days earlier. He came to this hospital this second go around because all of me & my «concerned & helpfully opinionated» friends & family felt it was a better hospital than Southside because it was a teaching hospital. It was still a 3.5 hr wait in the ER before he got admitted again.
Well the first thing me & my ex-​husband noticed was the total lack of security at this hospital. We walked in, no one stopped us or checked us for ID like at Southside. Which made it convenient but a bit unnerving considering the unpredictable mental climate of folks nowadays.
They performed all the same tests as Southside with the same results & outcome. Still no diagnosis from either hospital. The food was better here at Winthrop. The staff friendly but no stand outs to warrant being named.
I found it a bit harder to get updates and info on my son than at the other hospital. Rooms & elevators need serious updating. But we’re here for the medical expertise not the décor, right?! Plus the long haul from Holtsville to Mineola was grueling after working 14 hr days. Overall a good experience just not outstanding.
And I can say that because I gave birth to my son at this hospital and my experience then was completely different. Or maybe I was in so much pain I just think it was a better experience.

Having had several experiences with my children, and now one myself, this is my ER of choice.
Brought my 11 year old son here several years ago, fell off his bike, cut open his chin. He was terrified. The triage nurse was so soothing and calming, told him exactly what would happen, that he would get a local which would sting, but that he wouldn’t feel a thing while they were doing the stitches. It was a slow night, so we got seen right away. Both docs who saw him showed him their scar from the same type of injury, and assured him his would look better as they had stitched themselves up with a mirror! They had him so relaxed, sure enough he didn’t even know they had started. We were out in less than an hour and a half, and he was stitched by a plastic surgeon.
Went there several times with my ex-​husband who had MS. Not life threatening, not bleeding. Having a relapse, uncomfortable, in pain, and in need of IV steroids. Typical wait of 8 – 10 hours for a room. We finally learned to stay home, where he would be more comfortable, until his neurologist could be contacted and could fast track us through the admitting process.
Went there myself this past week for a broken tibia/​fibula. Got to the ER sometime around 6AM, was in surgery by 11:15AM. Had a slight glitch with the radiology people, in that they took their pics, brought me back to the ER, and then came back for more pics less than two minutes later. Other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about the experience. Everyone was caring, attentive and professional, from the doctors and nurses, to the volunteers who came by to see if they could get you anything. After not having eaten for 40 hours, even the food tasted pretty good. And Tara, the nurse anesthetist was unbelievable.
It’s a hospital. They’re going to come in at 4AM to take your vitals, they’re gonna wake you up at times. They’re going to take someone else before you, even though YOU think your situation is more important. There are situations that call for an ER, and some that call for doc-​in-​a-​box.
I hope I never have to visit another ER, but if I do, it will be Winthrop.

My wife and I both have mixed opinions on out experience here. While the hospital is known as one of the best and most innovative, it is a little on the older side and there are numerous areas that are in need of repair or upgrades. The cafeteria would probably be first on my list.
Everyone from admittance to the nurses were so kind and sweet an made the experience less traumatic which was a godsend.

No one ever wants to go to the ER, but if you must go… This is the place to be. I walked in having severe migraines and was in a lot of pain. As soon as I got to the doors the staff was attentive and extremely helpful. Not to mention extremely nice. I was seen right away and treated with the utmost respect and professionalism.
They were able to diagnose, run tests and treat me immediately to the point that I was actually amazed. Nothing was rushed and everyone was very sweet. Even the transport tech.
If ever I should need an emergency room again, this will always be my number one choice.
Great job Winthrop!!! :)

Let me preface this by saying that I visited the maternity triage in 2011 7 months pregnant and visiting from AZ and my baby shower was that day at 6pm. Arrived to the hospital around 3pm and left around 10. Nonetheless, I was and will forever be traumatized by the experience. I went in because of some light bleeding, nothing too concerning but still, it was my first and wanted to be sure all was okay. Well, the overall experience lasted well about 7 hours and in that time I was «checked» or I should say violated by a unaccompanied student/​dr in training, exploring and learning. Then followed up by an internal sonogram (violated for the 2^nd time). All of these procedures were performed very callously. Last, a blood test… what could go wrong? I figured okay, fine, they have protocol, I just want out after this. Again, after several «In about 30 minutes.» — 2 hrs after taking my blood, no results and AFTER inquiring what happened, they checked and informed me they would need another sample because it coagulated and could not be tested!!! Are you serious!!! Okay, draw more blood… an hour later they come back and tell me I need a shot because I have a certain blood type. No shit Sherlock! I knew and told you my history already. Hence another hour and change of waiting for this shot, which was required by protocol I receive, even though I told them I was due to receive one back home. Anyways, all the while I am sitting on an emergency gurney this ENTIRE time w/​o any clothes from the waste down asking if I can get dressed and each time being given a robotic response, «I wouldn’t, just in case they need to check you,» and each time no one asking if I needed water or a snack (remember I’m 7mos Prego and it’s been 5 hours by now). Didn’t know what time the café or anything closed and was stuck with my husband and mom grabbing some vending machine food that was found after some exploration. I was fed up. I finally got dressed and walked over to the nurses desk, only to find everyone joking and laughing. In summary, I got loud, told them a little about themselves and had a doctor, who never accompanied the young student/​dr attempt at an apology. Again, I told her about her dept and pointed out all the details of my experience. I did not wait for a response from her. Well within the next 15 min I received my shot and out the door!
Now let me describe how this would have went at my hospital in AZ. Come in with some minor vaginal bleeding. No waiting. Takes me in immediately. Nurse gets me water and a snack, takes my info and vitals. Place monitors on my baby bump, ask me what my activities were that day, dr check me and find out I had relations with my hubby a couple of days earlier. They keep me another 30 minutes for evaluation. All the while a nurse always checking in on you. Result, Sends me home, smiling.
In top of that, you receive a survey after every visit about your experience and how improvements can be made.
I understand that not everyone is going to have the same experience everywhere but they should all be similar in nature and maybe have a one-​off because someone maybe had a bad day or just a bad employee.
Ranting complete. Thank you!

The Quick: Not that you ever want to go to a hospital, but if you do, Winthrop is where you want to be.
The Details: Polite, efficient staff that care about your health. Free valet parking at the hospital and Withrop doctor facility. Overall, I felt that I was in very good hands. Hopefully I will not be returning soon, but if necessary this is where I would want to be.
The Damage: As with any doctor or hospital, make sure they take your insurance/​are in network.

The oncology nurses are amazing angels in the flesh. Kind sensitive to the needs of their patient. Understanding and professional.