Medical University of South Carolina Hospital

Came along with a friend who needed to get an MRI done. We called prior to double check the time. They changed it like 3 times. noon, then 2pm then 12:15, then come asap. So we took off. We checked in just past noon and we sat and we sat and we sat. 2 rolls around and have had it. We walked up to the counter asking what the eff is taking so long because we were told that to get here asap and would get right in. Welp, the jack ass at the front counter never checked us into the system properly. So we basically just sat for 2 hours for nothing. He then said that they would get him in by 3pm. So we waited. 3:05 comes and he calls us up to tell us that it’s going to be at least another 45 – 60 minutes longer. I could have knocked him out. As we said screw it and rescheduled, he was giggling and flirting with another customer at the desk. Such a jerk. 3+ hours wasted, no sincerity or care about wasting our entire afternoon.

Thank you for saving my life.
Spending a month in the hospital was not part of my summer plans, but the top notch medical staff made it, well, not so bad.

MUSC is an excellent hospital when it comes to patient care. But when it comes time to pay the bills for that care, well, that’s another story. For the past 3 yrs MUSC has used the IRS to take money from my husbands and I tax return. Now I’m not debating that we had bills that needed to be payed off because we did. My problem is that they keep taking money after we’ve been told that we have no balance. My husband went to one of the offices to see what could be done and no one had any idea of what they were doing. When my husband asked to look up what has been paid, no one could bring it. Really?! How could you not be able to bring it up when you were the one who sent us some statements from 3yrs ago?!
I don’t know what’s going on with that billing department, but something needs to be done. They never know whats going. No matter who answeres when you call they should have the same information. If I made payment arrangements the person on the other end of the phone should be able to see that. Well… that has not been case with us.
Yes they do take excellent care of their patients, but the billing department needs a lot of work. Who is over the billing department needs to step it up. No other organization could get away with the crap they’re allowed to.

I can’t believe it just now dawned on me to write this review. I think reading/​writing Unilocal reviews for bars, restaurants, stores, etc are great and all, but I always wish there were more reviews for service providers. So here’s me doing my small part to help in that department.
First off, I don’t have much to compare MUSC to because let’s face it, it’s not like I’m hitting up hospitals all the time, which in my book is a good thing. However, I will say that as a patient, I was extremely impressed with them. I had laproscopic gallbladder surgery a year ago and I definitely did my research and knew that I wanted to have my surgery here. From my initial appointments to the time I left, everything went as smooth as possible.
The buildings are all nice, new and modern (or at least the ones I spent my time in were). They have a pretty good cafeteria, although I only got to eat there once. And the staff is all friendly enough, some more than others obviously. One of the things that stuck with me the most is that you can tell that they follow procedures to a tee. It definitely gives the impression of a well-​oiled machine but at the same time, sometimes it was all almost too rehearsed, if that makes sense. For example, on the day of my surgery, they called 5 – 7 of us all in at the same time from the waiting room and had us basically get in a line. We’re all walking down halls to get to the prep area, following the leader and I’m feeling very much like I was reverting back to elementary school. And then one after the other, they’d call our names and tell us which bed to get into. It was all very «herding the cattle.»
However, from that point on, everything went the best it possibly could’ve. Luckily, gallbladder surgery is usually outpatient so I was in and out of surgery in no time and after resting for an hour or two, they let me leave. My surgery was a complete success and after a year, the only thing I regret is not getting it done sooner. If anyone stumbles on this review looking for a doctor to perform their gallbladder surgery, I wouldn’t hesitate having it at MUSC and with Dr. Katherine Morgan. Yes, it’s true that MUSC is expensive and I could’ve very well peed myself when I saw my total bill but all I can say about that is thank the heavens for good insurance.

MUSC is an amazing facility. The surgeons and their staff are extremely attentive and listen to what you have to say. My surgery was a huge success, and it is because my surgeons have outstanding skills and obviously enjoy their jobs and recognize their God given talents. My stay in the hospital was fairly short, but I felt comfortable with everyone from the day and night nurses to the physical therapists.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about the hospital. I’ve never been there as a patient only to visit a friend. There a so many buildings that all look the same, so I had a hard time finding the main hospital. To make it even more difficult, the main hospital says Storm Eye Clinic on the side of it, so I drove by it many times before someone told me that it was in fact the main hospital. They need to do a better job of directing people via their signage.

How enthusiastic can you be about a hospital? I mean, really.
Well, my big brother has a tough road ahead of him, but I think his chances of success are immeasurably increased by the efforts of these folks.
This IS a top-​notch hospital. I’m not an expert, but you can see it and you can feel it.
And they make a special effort to provide comfort to those immediate family members who camp out there night after night while their loved ones are receiving treatment. I talked to a lady who had been there with her mother for 8 days. The people there talked about a lady who just left after being up there with her husband for 35 days!
And I mean blankets, access to bathrooms and showers (!), good food at a good price in the cafeteria… someone actually thought through the selection of waiting room furniture so that it can accommodate a few dozen people during the day and be shifted around into sleeper sections at night. At least that’s what I saw and experienced in the Neuro-​ICU section. (And when I asked the nurse how many ICUs there were, she started the answer with «Well, let’s see…»)
I hope my brother gets out of there tomorrow, but as long as he and his wife are there, I can’t help but be buoyed by the level of professionalism and sincere care that I saw demonstrated at MUSC this week. May you and all of your efforts be blessed.