Comments

Current Valley Resident wrote on Feb 26, 2010 12:18 AM:

" I hope that "Former Valley Resident" is indeed a former Valley resident- good riddance.
What a nasty reply she posted: "If you don't like it, you can always move."
Hmmmm...perhaps "FVR" is Gwen Hughs. LOL "




Red wrote on Feb 10, 2010 8:16 PM:

" You all deserve sub performance; you got what you voted for…The performance of the hospital rest on the shoulders of the Board of Directors, the same board that hired and ignored the criminal act of the prior CEO. After the prior one left on her own accord they hired a new CEO and he has done absolutely nothing to improve the hospitals performance and the Board continues to sit on its hands. When you receive sub- standard care the only person to blame is yourself. "




Don Unsell wrote on Feb 10, 2010 12:20 PM:

" I went there when I had a heart attack and they saved my life so I can't say anything bad about the care I received.They did the best they could do for my wife but there was nothing they could do for her and she passed away. "




Interesting wrote on Feb 7, 2010 5:37 PM:

" Bored of Direction, I spent quite amount of time on a blog on the internet that seems to be hosted by Laura Hart. I saw a picture of
Barbara Casas, which may be you, perhaps? There was a multitude of interesting entries to read and it was very much enlightening, especially with your support (if you are, indeed, Barbara) of the former Woman CEO who was recently indicted. However, reading that blog, the KVHD seems really murky.

However, I sincerely doubt it is the new Board but the old one. "




mad732 wrote on Feb 5, 2010 10:47 AM:

" Yeah its all we have but Home Mart is all we have for discount store up here and they get it right but if they didn't we aren't talking about human life there can be no oops in medicine. "




Gary Arneson wrote on Feb 5, 2010 5:05 AM:

" My only comment is that, guess what folks, it's all you have up there. My parents lived there for years and we had both good and bad experiences. The good experience was when my mom had her heart condition worsen and she was flown immediately to Bakerfield via helicoptor. My mom did pass but my dad stayed in Kernville. Probably the worst was my dad being diagnosed and treated for asthma and it turned out to be congestive heart failure. That is when we moved him down to Orange County. "




Local wrote on Feb 4, 2010 10:54 AM:

" By the way all she was 17 at the time and a child. Free ride that bored of direction. What if it had been your 17 year old daughter? "




Local one wrote on Feb 3, 2010 11:30 AM:

" Wow! sounds like more of us should be attending the board meetings. The hospital is saying "you (the community) needs us, so take what you get and like it! The community is saying "I don't like what I'm getting, so pull your head out! This dialogue will never get to who it is supposed to w/ out face to face verbalizations. Unless of course, someone in these dialogues works for the hospital. "




Never Again wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:30 AM:

" And yes, I'm sure we all enjoy a conversation with our co-workers now and then, but gossiping is never appropriate in front of a customer/patient. Triage is traiage, and she failed to properly triage me because she was flapping her gums. I don't care if you are a nurse or the cashier at a fast food joint - save your gossip for the slow times or the break room. "




Never Again wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:25 AM:

" I followed up with my regular doctor, who immediately ordered an x-ray. He nearly fell over when he saw the extent of my injury, and immediately sent me to a specialist - as in, he called the specialist and asked him to clear his afternoon for me. It was that urgent. And it didn't take more than just listening to what I had to say and following up with the appropriate tests. So, Former, while I appreciate your intelligent and insightful comments, you couldn't possibly be more wrong. Have a nice day! "




Never Again wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:22 AM:

" I was specifically told that they would "give me what I was(there) for" but I would have to wait if I really wanted it. They then wrote me a prescription for a dangerous narcotic, even though I repeatedly told them that I did not want it and would not take it. In fact, I have never filled that perscription. They gave me the "Yeah, sure" wink wink, and sent me home with no further diagnostics. My description of the symptoms could not have been more clear, and yet they completely disregarded a major injury. "




Never Again wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:17 AM:

" Former Valley Resident: I was an RN for many years, and worked for about 14 years primarily in ERs in L.A. area hospitals. I know triage. This "nurse" was yapping with her friend about a date. Meanwhile, she did not ask me how I injured myself, what medications I was taking, or what my medical history was. All of those things were very relavant to my treatment. I told her what medications I was taking, she held up her finger as if telling me to wait, and went back to gossiping without writing anything down. "




Former Valley Resident Part 5 of 5 wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:40 AM:

" Also, unless they actually said you were an addict (“druggie” as you so eloquently put it), you are making a rather large assumption by that statement. So, to all of you making these negative statements about the KV Hospital…while they are a small hospital, I am sure they are doing the best they can with what they are given. I just hope everyone receives equal treatment. If you don’t like it, you can always move. "




Former Valley Resident Part 4 of 5 wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:39 AM:

" The nurse was at work, it is commonplace for employees to socialize in the workplace. Remember…the ER is her workplace. If you are employed, do you not socialize at work with your co-workers? I am willing to bet you do! Who are you to say what is or isn’t appropriate triage? Are you a medical professional yourself? I seriously doubt it. You are clearly uneducated in the medical field, apparently in every arena that encompasses. "




Former Valley Resident Part 3 of 5 wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:38 AM:

" While CT scans are used only when absolutely necessary because of the increased risk of cancer with every CT scan you receive in a lifetime. So, to the person whose sister was injured in a car accident, she must have obviously recovered with no permanent damage, because you would have otherwise stated so. So, she did not have a significant head or brain injury, and the medical team provided the proper treatment for her. The comment about the nurse made by “never again” is ridiculous. "




Former Valley Resident Part 2 of 5 wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:37 AM:

" In regards to the comments on the potential head injury victims. There are clear signs and symptoms that would indicate a potential or actual head injury. X-rays cannot show any other injury to the head than an injury to the skull itself. You cannot see a brain injury with an x-ray, that is where a CT would be used to verify the signs and symptoms the patient is displaying. X-rays are a commonplace assessment tool in both, doctor’s offices and ER’s. "




Former Valley Resident Part 1 of 5 wrote on Feb 3, 2010 8:37 AM:

" As a former valley resident, I have to laugh at the utter illiteracy and ignorance in the statements of most of these comments. I happen to be a nurse, and know just a little bit about triage and treatment ER patients should receive. You guys have to remember they are the doctors and nurses, you are NOT! Regardless of someone’s ability to pay, they are required by law to treat you. That does not mean you are not responsible for paying your bill, because you are. Hospitals are happy to set up payment arrangements. "




Missy wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:04 AM:

" I agree, that hospital is a joke! We had a critical care emergency situation that - NO THANKS to the ER up here- could have resulted in death. Because of their lax and very slow nonchalant response to a medical crisis, a lot of damage occurred that should and could have been responded to ASAP! By the way- we have excellent medical/health coverage. Thanks to the excellent and rapid care from a Bakersfield hospital, (not KMC) death was avoided. "




Re-Mac wrote on Feb 2, 2010 11:39 PM:

" Sometimes our local hospital's screening process leaves something to be desired. I have had a doctor wiggle my son's noes and tell me he's fine. The next morning he woke up with one of his eye straying. His regular doctor couldn't believe they didn't do x-rays. BTW I do have insurance paid a $100 copay and still was billed because their billing. However, I have also had some excellent experiences. Depends on the doctor. Nursing staff is pretty good so is the rest of the supporting staff. "




Mac wrote on Feb 2, 2010 9:57 PM:

" To Hill Burton - who decides what treatment is necessary? The patient? Or the person with years of medical education and probably much more experience? You don't get to have specific tests just because you want them. If there aren't any symptoms that indicate a need for further testing then the tests won't be ordered. "




Hill Burton wrote on Feb 2, 2010 6:14 PM:

" The Hill Burton Law forces them to treat. You need to file a FEDERAL complaint with the US Attorney in Los Angeles. "




Mac wrote on Feb 2, 2010 4:31 PM:

" So, chelcie, I assume your friend made a full recovery without having the CT scan? So I'm thinking the doctor's judgement that she didn't need one turned out to be correct. You don't get one just because you think you need one, or would feel better getting one. You get one because in a doctor's medical judgement you NEED one. "




Local one wrote on Feb 2, 2010 3:41 PM:

" Jen, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. In the future, Go straight to KMC. The admin. of the Hospital are hurting so bad for $$ that they probably were not willing to bill your sis. They could have tried for Emergency Medical. Truth is they probably had no one that could do the xray at the time. Pt.s that have no $ are treated like unwanted drunks/addicts. If you have $, or better yet, Medi-Medi bring us your drunk,your tweaked out and your dying. We'll diagnosis it pneumonia and bill the gov. for an extra week. "




Never Again wrote on Feb 2, 2010 9:55 AM:

" I've also had my fill of people expecting something for nothing. Hospitals are closing at alarming rates due to the number of people standing around with their hands out, but the fact is that care cannot legally be denied based on a patient's ability to pay. (And no, auto insurance wouldn't necessarily take up the slack.) Seeing if someone can walk and answer basic questions is not an adequate assessment of an MVA head injury. BTW, I have great health insurance and they were charged a huge amount +$50 copay to have them give me no treatment whatsoever. "




CHELCIE wrote on Feb 2, 2010 9:50 AM:

" back in oct. i fell into the flume and was lucky to be alive. when i was rushed to the e.r and amitted the doctor came out and asked what happen i told him and he asked me what a flume was? excuse me you live up here should you know? i was also cut my barbed wire and swallowed water. tall the treatment i got was that they took a achohal wipe and wiped down my arm.
the paramedics were puzzed why they didnt do xrays or a tetnise shot.
once again A JOKE! WAKE UP!!! "




Never Again wrote on Feb 2, 2010 9:48 AM:

" Interesting comments on both sides, but in my experience with this hospital the triage "nurse" was a complete joke. She was yapping to another employee the entire time and didn't do or ask anything remotely qualified as triage. And that assessment is coming from someone who worked in a busy ER for many years. They jumped to the conclusion that I was a druggie, and made me sit for hours without performing any tests. They ultimately sent me away, without treatment, with a very dangerous injury that caused me permanent damage. "




chelcie wrote on Feb 2, 2010 9:47 AM:

" the hospital up here is a joke.
a few year back my friend got struk very hard in the nead with a base ball bat. you no what they told her " if you start throwing up and get a headache then come back and we will give you a cat scan." they didnt do anything because they were afraid of giving her throat cancer from a cat scan. STUPID IF YOU ASK ME. "




Mac wrote on Jan 27, 2010 10:48 PM:

" I didn't go to medical school for years and years, so I personally wouldn't know when someone needs and xray and when they don't. I imagine triage nurses emergency room doctors are pretty good at assessing these things for the most part though. And in case you didn't notice, this is a small hospital. If you were told to take your son to Bakersfield it was because KV wasn't equipped to provide the care he needed. Or would you rather they give it a shot anyway? "




Jen wrote on Jan 26, 2010 9:37 PM:

" Yes they got seen. But the kind of accident they had, they should have been xrayed, first before being released. She dont have health insurance but did have full coverage on he are insurance. She does not expect a free ride. Just treatment. I mean hello, I went there and they told me to take my son to bakersfield for his treatment. Cause the doc scared my son to death. They are a joke. "




Mac wrote on Jan 15, 2010 7:42 AM:

" It sounds like they WERE screened, so I don't really see the issue. As far as the other stuff, free lunch and whatnot that wasn't really clear. Free lunch? We're talking free cafeteria food, not importing some chef to cook up gourmet meals. Big whoop. "




free lunch wrote on Jan 15, 2010 2:07 AM:

" You know the only people getting free lunches at the hospital happen to be in the admenistration, this is signed by the board and the finance department. If they take my money anyway, I choose that my money goes to people who need to be screened in an automobile accident. And I refuse to allow bumbling idiots to use my tax dollars for lunch. Hearing of this nonsense, I called the IRS, and asked for an investigation of the lunches and other things secret. glad I could help. thanx B, I read it. good job. "




Hi Truth wrote on Jan 14, 2010 12:55 PM:

" Bored of Direction, welcome back in your true-to-nature dialog. "




Mac wrote on Jan 14, 2010 12:45 PM:

" I don't know whether to laugh or find it sad that you are so bothered by our President that you have to bring him into totally unrelated conversations just for an excuse to bash him.

But you know what I DO find funny? Rush Limbaugh praising Hawaii's system of health care without apparently realizing that it is has one of the most socialized health care systems in the states. So, if their health care is the ideal, maybe he'll get behind a push to nationalize it? "




Bored of Direction wrote on Jan 14, 2010 10:54 AM:

" Well, I think people who expect a free ride from all agencys are a joke also!
When one enters an ER/hospital one expects to fill out paper work, make arrangments for payment of treatment not covered by insurance, that is the mature way of thinking today; too bad so many of the current generation have been given so much "free lunch" they expect it everywhere! How would the ER stay open if everyone was given "free" care, with our current POTUS giving all the tax money to his "friends" from other countrys?
Bah humbug to free loaders! "




Mac wrote on Jan 13, 2010 10:09 PM:

" It sounds like the patients were seen and evaluated and the doctor decided no further treatment was necessary. And yes, they have to give you a medical screening regardless of your ability to pay (and treatment if it is warranted) but that doesn't mean they aren't entitled to have you make payment arrangements. "




mark wrote on Jan 13, 2010 1:51 PM:

" Ann, reguardless of auto insurance, they ere required BY LAW to treat you, period!! that hospital is a joke. "




Ann wrote on Jan 13, 2010 11:57 AM:

" Does not automibile insurance cover medical/injury from car accidents? Not health insurance. "