To the Editor:
As a Village resident for over ten years, I have heard dozens of complaints and concerns about The Villages Regional Hospital and health care in general. Many patients have been misdiagnosed, later to be corrected at Mayo Clinic or Shands Hospital. My friend Doug was misdiagnosed and given the wrong treatment, and he almost died. He has since moved back to Vermont. In February 2015, I was admitted to The Villages Regional Hospital with severe bleeding from my colon. Staff did a good job getting me settled initially, however the GI Doctor on call took almost 24 hours to see me. My hemoglobin went from 15 to 8 while I was waiting. In the meantime, when I needed to use the restroom at 11 p.m., the nurse came in and held the IV pole instead of assisting me. I passed out and hit my head on the hard floor. My heart rate dropped to 29. I am lucky that I survived the experience; I almost died. Although I contacted the hospital and told them the nurse should have held me not the IV stand, no response. I hope knowledge of these experiences help others. Today we are patients of the Mayo Clinic.
Richard Wagner
Village of Pinellas