Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital

I have a family member staying here and I must I was pleasantly impressed and surprised by… wait for it… THE CLEANLINESS!!! Now, yes I know that generally you would hope that the hospital is clean but let’s be for real… that is a true hit or miss fact. Not only was it clean but the décor is so modern for a hospital there were certain wings that I was in a kept thinking this looks more like hotel then a hospital.
Check in went smooth. Transfer papers were done correctly which made the paperwork a breeze. Her room was ready shortly after her arrival. They ran as many test as they could while she was waiting on her room so that once she was settled in her room the rest of the testing wasn’t so invasive that she couldn’t rest.
Now we all know that security guards at hospitals tend to be a little rude sometimes. Not here! They were stern but not rude and I can appreciate that.
All of the nurses and doctors we encountered were friendly, to the point, knowledgeable and very helpful with explaining different treatment options. My aunt is VERY picky and BLUNT and her nurse did a fantastic job of keeping her in line in the sweetest way while also doing the little things like going above and beyond to make sure she had 3 cartons of chocolate milk on stand by instead of 1! Lol
I’m glad I can rest a tad bit easier knowing that my aunt is in good hands here.

Went to Emergency in the middle of the night with a possible kidney stone. Major pain. Three hours later, we still hadn’t been seen. It wasn’t like it was packed. There was hardly anyone there. I can’t see any reason for this type of treatment.

Use the InQuicker online check in service to reserve a treatment time in the Emergency Room. This makes waiting from home for a non emergent issue much easier than waiting in the waiting room with everyone else!

Recently my mother had to have a rod and screw re-​secured following a back surgery she had about a year ago. That experience in and of itself was a nightmare (another review for is to follow). I have to admit I was enamored with Martha Jefferson’s beautiful décor and was a big fan of the place at one time. The rooms are all private; check– and beautiful. They even have a window seat in them that can be converted to a bed so that loved ones can stay the night; check; wow, awesome. The bathrooms have freakin marble walls and fancy tiles here and there… stunning (for a hospital). The TVs are nice flat screens, which, when work, are decent enough to get one through a stay… The halls and waiting rooms are just as aesthetically pleasing to the eye and maintained to the highest of standards no doubt. And, I was previously a HUGE advocate despite my family members who did not have any confidence in this place. However, after the past three experiences there, my family and I have become disillusioned and have seen what lies beneath (movie reference unintended pun, but, accurate).
Two years ago around this time, she was admitted to MJH for back surgery. The doctor, Dr. Teja was perhaps the most cold, insincere, un-​professional, and now I doubt the veracity of his license… was the admitting doctor. Initially he said he wouldn’t do the surgery on my mother because she was obese. Told her that unless he lost 30 pounds in three months (not even a full three months; which I didn’t think was very healthy, correct me if I am wrong) he wouldn’t touch her. Well, with the obese comment, she actually stopped eating and actually did lose the weight. Following the surgery, she was expected, by Dr. Teja, to be up and walking the next day. Fortunately, the MJH team of care takers for the most part said that was ridiculous and said that that was unrealistic so they went by my mother’s scheduled, and ability, as opposed to Dr. Teja. Regardless, a mere 3 DAYS later she was kicked out of MJH, during the middle of a snow storm, and shipped off to a VA Health South Rehab. Scared out of her mind, she called me in tears telling me they were moving her, she didn’t know where she was going and didn’t understand why she was going right then… no one told her why she was being kicked out even after she said she felt it it was too early to be discharged, but unable to fend for herself, she was sent off; in the middle of a snow storm.
The staff at VCU was okay but I think also released her too early. After 6 or 7 days VCU sent her home; despite still falling. The night they sent her home, she fell up the two stairs of the deck; didn’t even get inside the door. She lay on the ground for 45 minutes or so until she could get up enough strength to help my elderly father help her up. The next morning she fell again, fortunately I had gone to help out for the weekend only this time, there was not getting her up and the home health PT and home health Nurse assigned to her neither knew what the frack to do; they were completely clueless and just let her lay there saying only maybe she needs to go back to the doctor… I told everyone to f ()* off and that I was calling 911.
As it turns out, an infection had developed around the titanium rod that was in her back so back under the knife. After this surgery, ONCE AGAIN MJH discharged HER Early and out of the blue and told she was going back to a rehab center yet we had no time to check out the various places (VA South does not readmit) — fortunately my brother was there to look after her once they got her to the hell hole they sent her to, The Golden Living Center (see separate review for that hell hole). Fortunately she made it out of there alive but has been in pain ever since, with no one listening to her or caring to investigate anything. Finally at a follow up with Dr. Teja a MRI showed a separated rod and screw… sending her back to MJH.
THIS TIME, she was operated on late Thrs. They had put 16 STAPLES in her back to close the suture site. 0800 THE NEXT MORNING, they came in and told her she had to «Get out.» That she was being discharged and they needed to TAKE OUT HER STAPLES (yes, you read that right, after not even being in there for 24 hours). So the woman comes in to take out her staples as her breakfast and proceeded to take out the 16 staples while my mother tried to eat (after not having eaten the night before; oh yea, and she’s diabetic…) all the while chopping and popping away at her chewing gum. Out the door my mother was sent, despite having been told she could stay as long as she needed to ensure she got the care she needed because we had just lost my father and she had no one at home. At home, the suture site bled and oozed profusely. When she called the hospital & doctor’s they told her to get some Depends to help control it.
Don’t be blinded by the beauty of MJH… go the extra 5 mins down the road to VCU; a teaching hospital on latest and greatest.

I have had severe sleep apnea for years. Finally, got around to doing the sleep study and what not after my family threatened to evict me because of my snoring. Dr. Hammond and his outfit at the Sleep Center cured me, and I feel a million times better. The doctor was excellent, and the staff very professional and kind. The cafeteria at MJH is also one of the best I have ever seen. It is my favorite restaurant. Also, plenty of free parking.

I just spent the day and evening with my elderly mother who has been in there for several days. We watched TV together. It was really pleasant! not like being in a hospital at all. This hospital is like a four star hotel. The rooms are spacious, well-​equipped, nicely lit, with beautiful furniture, a big window with a gorgeous view (each room has this), a nice big couch that turns into a bed for family members who are staying over to be with their loved one, plus a nice rocking chair and storage for the patient’s stuff. The nurses were all great. Mom’s nurse literally was sitting right outside her room in a nook with a desk and computer that faced into the room with a small window to see through to the patient. Compared to Culpepper Regional Hospital (which was a mess), this place is Heaven! It would be a great place to have a baby (they have a separate birthing wing which is so nice)!!! They have a coffee shop and gift shop on the main floor and both are terrific, A+++ to both, with super friendly staff. There is loads of comfortable seating on the main floor. The medical staff is great. The setting is up on a nice hill. The last time I was here was when another elderly family member had a stroke and passed, and the staff was amazing, so helpful, even getting trays of coffee and food several times for assembled family members. This place is everything a hospital should be. So calming, and a great place to heal. Most hospitals are chaotic, having to share a room (rooms are private here), cold and harsh, poorly lit, very sterile places. This hospital is the complete opposite of that. Amazing!!!

It’s a beautiful hospital, but that’s about all it has going for it. My experience otherwise was that the staff is unorganized and frankly, rude. I was pointed in a number of directions that constantly left me waiting for some kind of direction as to where they actually needed me to go. Each question was met with an indifferent undertone and disinterest in what my needs were. If I could I would avoid this hospital and opt to go someplace else.

I just had an amazing experience during and after surgery at Martha Jefferson Hospital. I found the nurses and other staff to be competent and caring. They were encouraging as I recovered from a major operation. Always smiling and good teamwork. Last but not least is the physical setting, which is so beautiful and soothing!

I have a split opinion. My first experience with MJ was excellent. The second, with the orthopedics section started out excellent but due to an obese office manager, Jennifer, with a megalomaniac complex, it rapidly deteriorated into a massive headache. Its a shame that they allow her to compromise what otherwise would be an excellent facility.

We had our first experience here last night when my son was sick and we made a trip to the ER.
Every employee was so nice and helpful and seemed to all always think of the little things to ask to make us as comfortable as possible.
Our Dr. Was very supportive and actually gave options and let us make decisions instead of just telling us how it was going to be like a lot of drs. I really appreciated that.
The tests did take quite a while, but I’ve never been to a quick ER, either.
Check in was quick and we had a room within 5 minutes.
All in all we had a great experience here.

Nurses are rude and lazy! My nurse had the worst attitude of them all they make it seem like their a level one trauma center and their so busy. No teamwork if u ask another nurse or staff member to help you its out of the question! Horrible

Been at the hospital ER for over an hour. 6 people in the waiting room when we arrived and two have now been seen. No ambulances have shown up in this time. My son is vomitting and has a 104 fever. I would chalk it up as potentially busy behind the scenes but given how dirty the waiting room is and the trash on the floor in the patient rooms, I am going with lazy and don’t care about patients. Next time we will drive the hour to Richmond instead if we have to go to the hospital after hours.

I waited 50 minutes in an empty waiting room to be seen in the ER when I presented with the symptoms of a stroke. Now, 50 minutes might be fast in ER-​time, but not when you have someone who is showing slurred speech, dramatic lack of muscle tone on one side of the face, etc.
I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, which confused me, since my symptoms did not seem consistent with the typical case findings. I happened to have an ENT appointment later that week, where they took one look at me and assured me that I did not have Bell’s Palsy, but another facial nerve disorder.

Great experience here with getting two hips replaced. Polite and helpful staff. Nice rooms. Excellent surgical outcome.
Dr Swanson may be the most remarkable medical professional I have ever met.

The staff and the doctor very good and polite but the wait is awful. We waited almost 2 hours before the doctor came to see our infant in the ER.

Took my mother for an outpatient procedure and everything ran like clockwork. We were checked in within minutes of arriving. Immediately after being checked in, someone arrived to escort us to the next station where height and weight were taken immediately. Then we were shown right away to a room. The nurses were friendly and accommodating, and the procedure lasted as long as they said it would. Clean, big, gorgeous new facility with easy garage parking access to boot.

My husband spent 12 agonizing days at Martha Jefferson for hospital-​acquired infections from surgery there. He is now being treated for MRSA, and two other infections which requires IV antibiotics four times a day, AT A COST TO US of $ 60 a day for at least the next six weeks.
When he was discharged, the case worker came to his room with the Sentara home health representative. Sentara is the parent company of Martha Jefferson Hospital. The week before, I’d told the case worker we wanted Amedisys, our local provider, not Sentara. Once again, I asked her to call Amedysis. She said she would, left and returned 10 minutes later, telling us Amedysis said they didn’t have a nurse available. When we got home I called Amedisys. They’d never received any call from anyone at Martha Jefferson, and they always have nurses available.
On the upside, the surgeon was the model of medical excellence and the hospital has a nice coffee shop in the lobby.

In retrospect, my previous review was a little harsh, so I deleted it and reevaluated.
I had a nightmare wit the ER and billing and trying to resolve a simple matter where I got screwed in the end with no recourse.
But on another occasion my wife had a great experience in surgery there. All her attendees were outstanding.
So it’s hard to generalize. Sometimes you take the good with the bad.

Had two major surgeries with them. The doctors are excellent. For the most part, the nurses were good too. Still would be nice if they did have to wake you up every 30 minutes to check or do something. Their new facility will be very nice and good to have everything on one campus. Even the food was not too bad once you are able to be un-​restricted on diet. Everyone is nice and tries to help the best that they can. I am glad I live in an area where top-​notched healthcare exists.

Many who are not pleased with large teaching environment of other area hospitals, often find themselves at Martha Jefferson, who prides itself on world class healthcare facilities with a community hospital feel. With it’s recent national accreditations combined with it’s «Caring Tradition» Martha Jefferson certainly lives up to it’s aspirations.
The hospital’s staff is helpful, kind, and understanding in difficult times. The facilities are clean and well taken care of. The cafeteria offers a wide selection of food, including the «Simply Balanced» collection of healthier options. Don’t forget to stop by and see Oscar at Higher Grounds coffee located in the main lobby.
As the organization grows, they plan a move to a new facility in August 2011.
Overall, Martha Jefferson is a wonderful place to receive medical care.