Palomar Medical Center

Believe me I don’t even want to give this hospital one star… I will not go back to this hospital ever again. I went in for a total knee replacement a week ago… checked in at 5:30 am and after a brief wait, was taken to prep where everything seem to be going just as planned, the anesthesiologists performed the necessary procedures and on to surgery @ 8:30. Before I knew it I was in the in the recovery room @ 9:30 and there I stayed until 2:30 pm! Upon inquiry, was informed there are no rooms available!!! Once a room was secured, I encountered a less than friendly and overworked staff. I was overccme with nausea and there was no throw-​up vessel to be found and in the nick of time, an oversized pan was thrust in my face. I was informed not to get out of bed without the assistance of a nurse or aide and to make use of the call button if needed. I found occasion to use the call button «Toilet» and no answer. My husband went out in the hallway and no one was to be found. After a few more minutes of waiting, I finally got an answer «What do you need» Me: I need to use the bathroom. Response: I’ll be there as soon as I finish my dinner”… Needless to say, I unhooked myself from the machine and with my husband’s help, made it to the bathroom.
I will not go into the checkout fiasco, but suffice it to say it was not according to their policy and my insurance will be billed an extra day because instead of being discharged @ 11:00 am according to this policy, I was finally discharged around 4:00 pm.

Had to go in Monday night because of an infection in my foot from a puncture wound. The place was really busy, but I was treated well. The staff was clearly under pressure, but were totally professional and good-​natured, and the care I received was efficient and wonderful. Especially want to thank April the PA, and nurses Stephanie, Theresa, and Johnny for their excellent care. I understand they broke a record that night, 299 patients in a 24 hour period! I never felt like cattle. They treated me like I was their only patient. Thank you for making what could have been a real nightmare, an absolute pleasure!

Wow… what a giant campus!
I was here to visit a family member admitted so it was not the greatest of circumstances anyways. I must say that the facility being easy to navigate and the staff being openly helpful was a great reliefe. On the upper levels near the patient rooms, it appears that most every «wing» or level has a communal open type waiting room along with an open air deck. This is very nice as it allows family and friends to take a break or grab a breath of fresh air. Great Design and layout for sure. If you’ve got to go, go here… as it were.

My husband was helicoptered to Palomar Medical Center on Citracado 12 days ago. He was taken immediately from the emergency room to the operating room. His trauma surgeon and his orthopedic surgeon are both extremely caring and very thorough. Because we are from out of state, they are excellent about discussing what the future might bring… this was a motorcycle accident and his right leg was crushed. They are doing all they can to save his leg. The nurses are excellent… so kind and caring and gentle too! His ICU room is private and I can stay right in the room with him if I need to. So far, we are very pleased with the care we have received. I had to drive 2 ½ hours to get to the hospital, but the doctors were in touch with me over the phone to give consent and to explain what was going to happen. Everyone from registration to housekeeping have been nothing but respectful to us! He was here for 2 days before they even asked for our Insurance information!!! We are pleased for sure!

The place is beautiful… no doubt, and conveniently located… The rooms… once you get one are nice and private and the waiting areas are fairly family friendly. That is the good stuff.
Now for the bad stuff… the whole registration, post-​op, waiting for the room stuff I wack! Both of my parents have had surgery here since November and it is extremely unorganized to say the least. It is very VERY frustrating for loved ones waiting and the loved one who has been operated on to have to wait for hours apart while the post op and hospital administration Forrest Gump their way through the process. After 6pm… it’s like the place shuts down, the status board is turned off, the volunteers go home, and you are left in no man’s land… waiting… And if you need help… there is a phone… knock yourself out.
The only reason I gave it 3 stars was for the positive above… or else I would have given it a 1.

I can only assume that because this hospital is new, more people come here than the other Palomar Hospital off Valley Pkwy. Do not come here if you do not want to wait 8 hours plus. It is the most ridiculous thing to have to wait here for that long. Others I spoke with had to wait even longer. I don’t know what the staff and doctors are doing, but it seems like they’re not caring about how long you wait. Will never, ever come back here again.

A friend is here and the hospital is beautiful. New and clean. I don’t personally know about the doctors which is most important so I rate it a 3.

Deluxe, hotel like accommodations, attentive and friendly nurses. An emergency room that is not overrun with those looking for a warm place to sleep for the night. Well run and aesthetically pleasing. A good experience as hospital visits go.

Not the greatest ER experience. They are definitely understaffed. X– ray results wait time is posted in the room, 80 minutes. However it took them over 4 hours after asking a few times for the results. Also when you need a nurse they take their sweet time to finally come & check on you. I understand that my mom wasn’t their only patient but these are people’s lives. They are in the EMERGENCY ROOM for a reason. They really need to Hire more staff & be quicker to patients needs.

I have to say this was the best ER experience I have ever had. I had been sick for a week, general cold symptoms, so I went to my general Kaiser dr who told me I had a bronchial infection and gave me super antibiotics (normally used to treat STDs and Anthrax) and sent me home. Two days later I was worse and having so much head pain and my blood pressure was extremely high (¹⁷²⁄₁₁₂).
Once at the ER the check in process was fast, they were considerate and listened to everything I had to say. The nurses were so nice and assured me I was going to be okay. I had an EKG, chest X-​ray, head ct, and put in an ER room in less than an hour.
Dr Friedberg was so sweet and caring. He had a very gentle touch, and a calming voice. He told me he wasn’t sure why my dr had given me those meds, but he sent me on my way with regular meds and two days later I am finally feeling human again. Thanks so much Palomar for the great experience when I was at my worst.

We were out of town on vacation for New Years, I ended up having to go the hospital. That being said, I would had given them a 5 star but the emergency room needed some improvement in the nursing department. Don’t get me wrong, not all the nurses seemed like they hated their job nor were all the nurses homophobics either but a few of them really sucked. Now when I was admitted, the nurses on the 4^th floor, *Betsy, Es and Joy were EXCELLENT. Not one time did it ever feel like I was bothering them. They were really helpful, loved their jobs and made my stay so much nicer. I really wish more nurses were like them. The hospital itself was very nice. Private rooms, we called it Hotel Palomar. All in all, it made a bad situation seem a little better (minus the 12 hours in the ER which 4 of them was in the waiting room)

What a fantastic experience
My husband had hip replacement surgery on Dec. 21, 2015 with Dr. Powell
He had tremendous success
He gets his staples removed Jan. 5^th. 2016
Bandage removed today by our home therapist Matt — no infection. No seepage from the wound. We are so pleased with his Progress.
Beautiful facility — beautiful room for recovery post-​OP
Great nursing staff and good food
We would recommend this facility to all our Family and Friends. We are so thankful.
C. Lovejoy
Alpine, CA. 91 901

I have been hurt by employees at Palomar Medical Center many times but they haven’t killed me so I’m giving them three stars. A few years ago, I became romantically involved with a doctor who had been the senior physician in the ER, and he had been so disgusted by the way the bureaucrats handled the patients, he had run for a seat on the Board of Directors and when elected, he went upstairs and fired the administrators he couldn’t stand.
If only he were alive today. The last time I went there, the nurse poked my arm six times while complaining that my veins were small. When he couldn’t get the IV started, he finally called a guy with an ultrasound machine and the needle went right in. Wouldn’t it have been lovely if he’d spared me the pain and cusswords after the second or so try?
I went there because my face was paralyzed and I couldn’t speak. Another doctor was brought in with a student and they talked about the things that would be fatal right in front of me. The ER doctor told me that my blood sugar was «dangerously high» and then gave me a prescription for meds that is known for causing it to rise and it rose even higher.
Don’t expect gourmet tofu or any other special treatment if your insurance isn’t high end. I truly believe these people want to kill you if you are poor.

ER proceed with EXTREME CAUTION!!! Dr. How sucks please if u are seen by him get a second opinion. I almost died because of this asshole not taking what I told him seriously… Doctors save lives… But not this person. I wish I waited for another doc to see me. Still dealing with issues this guy should have seen the signs… Me: hey doc I can’t swallow, drink, or eat I think I might have strep throat!!! Doc: throat swab… 2 hours later… hey lady here is numbing pepto bismol for $ 30 hey you shouldn’t swallow it. You should be better in 4 days oh and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up on the other side of ur throat.
Me:: , (crying and scared… Trusting the doctor… 4 days later… Throats super swollen voice box is telling me I need to go back to get help… With super high voice like I’m choking. Anyways long story short they got me in to be cat scanned me. turns out its a cyst on my throat… Nurse: here let me pop it now go see this ears nose and throat specialist. Me: driving to the specialist not swallowing for days now I’ve got my spit cup in hand. Specialist: omg that’s way to deep in the throat you need to rush back to the er asap or you will die… Me: omg driving back to the er
They treated me. I’m alive… I waited only 5 mins when I got back to the er… The staff is great but keep your eye on dr how… Because that man just didn’t know how to help save me… Still have issues swallowing sometimes which isn’t cool. How needs to retire… Like yesterday!

This place is ridiculous. Whereas the last time I came, it was quick and easy along with a friendly staff, this visit was not.
I had to wait 6 hours (& possibly more as I’m writing this from the waiting room) just to get a bed along a handful of other people with chest pain and a possible serious condition. So far, not helping, I’ve been here twice over the last three days for an allergic reaction that they seem not to give two pickles about and continue to prescribe me or tell me it’s something I don’t need (after a third opinion from another hospital).
This is unacceptable. If they can’t take the patients? They need more space and doctors or a separate hospital. I hate to say it but if you’re on the verge of life or death– do not come here as you’ll probably wait longer than you are able to. Sad.
This waiting room scene is like something out of a war hospital tent. Not enough beds, everyone’s sick in the lobby, not enough chairs and a super long wait time. So far in an hour and a half– I had four people before me and within that asking again, I still had four people!
When it’s a heart problem! I can’t wait! :-/​not ok!

9 hour er wait with nobody in the lobby? Been here three hours with another couple ahead of us, that’s it… just 2 people sitting here sick enough to go to the er. And nobody here to help us. This place is a discrace. I asked the guy behind the desk if we should just come back next week or next month. He said they don’t take appointments.
Seriously don’t bother here unless your absolutely dying

I’m not going to talk about the ER experience but I want to review my stay upstairs. I have been here 3 days going on 4 and the treatment I have received is outstanding, all areas get 5 stars. let’s start with what I feel is the most important aspect, the nursing staff. There are two nurses I want to applaud specifically, Fari & Asanti. These two women both have gone above and beyond the scope of their jobs. They are so so kind, treat me with total kindness and respect. I would even call Fari a friend now. I wish all medical staff were molded from these two. I am certainly going to report my appreciation to the management.
next is the food. being a vegan I was scared as to what I was going to have the option to eat… not only do they have a tofu stir fry on the menu but the chef went as far as to make me tacos with chopped up boca patties when they figured out why I was ordering all sorts of different sides (to create a vegan meal in my room). They have an extensive range of food and it actually taste good!!! not to mention you can get breakfast all day!!!
private rooms with fold out couch beds for loved ones, giant windows with automatic shade button on your remote, large wall mounted flatscreen LG televisions, and private bathrooms with open showers. beds are comfy and blow up and down with air keeping your body moving just a slight bit to avoid bedsore issues. overall I couldn’t be more comfortable given the situation I’m in.
oh yeah an Fari & Asanti are ANGLES!!!

If they offered status titles for repeat customers, my dad would be a gold star member. He was released from his 6^th stent since May this week and my love affair with Palomar Medical Center dissolved. I agree with Rachel S. would welcome the opportunity to separate reviews of Palomar hospital and the emergency department.
The beautiful hospital still has a great view and lovely balconies, however patients are no longer allowed to take in sunshine on their healing balconies. Lonely lounges bake in the sun without purpose, what a waste! The private patient rooms have bells and whistles all over. Rooms offer things like reclining beds, panoramic views, sweet bathing suites and roll up beds, but that’s all superficial.
Releasing patients as soon as they start to recover is a double edged sword. Nobody wants to stay in a hospital, yet we keep coming back again and again. Multiple monthly visits for the same indication, repeated readmission and extended delays are the gold star member reality.
Today the nurse called to ask me to pick him up after an emergency visit, and the doctor called me too. They released him, so I would expect to pick him up and shuffle him home. I arrived to a sight that a daughter never wants to see. Butt naked dad laying in a hospital bed with an IV sticking out of his arm, and nowhere near ready for transport.
They say that patients leave a$$ naked all of the time. Give me a break, I want a fully clothed person for the cost of the ER visit. But that is not all. They had the nerve to try to blame their incompetence on a serious cardiac patient that required the entire staff’s resources for a failed CPR attempt.
Rewind a moment — the story has no legs! Do I look that stupid? They told me that he was ready to be picked up when they called. That was before their incident and he obviously was not ready like they said. Period. I think that they wanted to get out of putting his clothes on him by making me wait so long just to get out of that place.
The sob story they gave me was their feeble attempt to distract me from the truth. I stood there, frustrated and agitated because I was taking time away from work, yet they had no urgency. Instead of dressing him, his nurse told me that she had to call the coroner first, as if the corpse had somewhere pressing to go.
Using a dead person as a scapegoat for doing your job is pathetic.

This place is a joke. The last 3 times its been 5 to 7 hours just to get seen and over an hour and a half to get discharge papers — we had to go to where all the nurses are and demand them so we can leave. 2 times we have been here for extreme emergencies. You better hope you don’t come here if your on the brink of death.
You build a billion dollar hospital and this is the care you get. I will never ever ever come here again or any of my family members unless I’m brought by an ambulance and this is the only place they will take me.
Update: 2 hours later and still waiting for damn discharge papers. You got to be kidding me. You better plan on staying all night if you come in the evening or bringing lunch and dinner if your here during the day.

Went into the New Palomar Med. Center Emergency Department for a really really Bad Dog bite. They wanted to do all these X-​ray on me without telling the reasons. I had to asked before I declined. The bite area was bleeding for 2 hours and there was nothing they can do becuz I had previous shots from being in medical field. I later found out the Hospital NEVER REPORTED THE DOG BITE TO HUMANE SOCIETY. I had to call to report it. The hospital didn’t care and did NO follow up either!!! The time span right after the bite was crucial to have that dog isolated & contain (rabies) by Humane Society. They thought I made up this story when my paper work was my full proof.
It was a bit late by the time I reported it and the Hum. Soc. was Shocked to find out that they were Never Informed. It was bad all the way around.
The neighbors dog wasn’t registered to the city/​county, didn’t have any homeowners insurance on their Pit-​Chihuahua mix, never reported that their dog has bitten before my incident. He gets a another chance to be alive thanks to the court and hospital. I love Animals but not a Biter to the Society. No compensation on the broke owner & No calls or help from the hospital either. Don’t care for this hospital.