John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek

Saturday my 10 week old daughter came to the ER with a high fever, lethargic, unwilling to eat. Due to here pre existing spinal condition they informed me they would need to do an MRI to find out where a safe place is to do a spinal tap. I agreed they told me it would just be done under light sedation via IV. Some where during the MRI process something went wrong and without my consent my daughter was placed under general anesthesia. A breathing tube was inserted and problems arose. After the procedure was completed all of a sudden her breathing was compromised the doctors and nurses on the peds floor did nothing and told me that it was a direct and expected component of intubation. So all day Sunday my daughter suffered due to the lack of medical care she received by the staff in the peds department. At 10 pm when my mother a long time RN arrived my daughter was having gross retractions and needed emergency intervention. At 5 am Monday morning she was on oxygen and heliox as well as two steroid breathing treatments and her temp was below normal and when I asked for a transfer I was told it would cause me grave financial hardship. Shame on you John Muir

When I arrived there was nobody before me so I was triaged within 5 minutes. Caring front staff and nurses. Saw the doctor within about 30 minutes and he spent time going over different options for treatment. I really appreciated that he spent time with me and did a proper exam and helped me make my medical decision. Based on the speed of care, quality of the care, and cleanliness of the facility I give 5 stars. This is all I could ask for in an emergency situation. Thank you, John Muir hospital and Dr. Slomoff!

Thanks AGAIN for billing the WRONG insurance… now I get to go through a giant headache AGAIN because apparently no one in your billing department knows how to read which is the MOST CURRENT insurance… THANKS!

I have been there my self several times, due to emergency room, accidents, flu, etc.. Been also there for x-​rays, and such, and also have used their Urgent Car Facilities. I have to say I thought there was always something wrong with them, but I go there still, because they are in my network and close to home, Specially during emergencies. But now after that I read this article, it all now makes sense. The people in «imaging» (x-​ray, etc) are the worst and the, emergency room staff are also just as bad. The doctors, I assumed since they might remember some course they took, back on the college in Grenada, about bedside manners and something that might have said, the patient comes first, «sometimes», get maybe 2 or 3 rating, but the rest of the lot of «lost in the Diablo Hills» crowd get negative rating from me.

I am so surprised at all the bad reviews this hospital gets. I had to have my gallbladder unexpectedly removed last month, and I was terrified of going to the hospital because of a past experience (in another hospital). I had a gallbladder attack on a Friday night that just would not go away, so we headed to the emergency room. I got seen right away, was given multiple tests and an ultrasound, and every single person was incredibly helpful, friendly and caring.
I had the op the following day, after a comfortable night’s sleep in a private room, where the nurses even brought a bed in for my husband to sleep on. The wonderful nurses (shout out to Virgie!!) checked on me through the night, administering pain meds when necessary and just generally putting my mind at ease.
Surgery went without a glitch, and the staff waited until I was ready to leave before giving me lots of information on what to expect during the following weeks, as well as giving me phone numbers to call in case of any problems.
It’s weird saying this, but I had a lovely time at this hospital! Top class staff. Couldn’t have gone better. Thanks everyone!

Going to the Emergency Room is never fun, especially when it’s midnight and your friend is in so much pain she’s crying. Luckily, the people at John Muir in Walnut Creek made us both feel a little better.
At midnight on a Friday night the E.R. the waiting room was void of people (a good sign). Both the security guard and the woman sitting at the front desk were exceptionally nice. The woman sympathized with my friend and tried her best to reassure her that things would be OK.
Nurses Mike and Eric were both amazing. They made sure she was comfortable, and had everything she needed. The physician assistant, Mike M., was phenomenal. He has a very soothing and charming manner that could put even the most irate patients at ease. He helped to quickly diagnose what was wrong, and really made both my friend and I feel like we were really being taken care of.
The rest of the staff (sorry, don’t know your names) were great.
Coming to the hospital Is in most cases not a good thing, but it feels good that the people and John Muir genuinely care for their patients.

I came here for a scheduled outpatient laproscopic surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and my appendix. My experience overall with this hospital was very good. I was called a few days before the procedure by the pre-​op nurse and then the night before by the anesthesiologist. These calls were helpful and informative for completing my surgery prep and letting me know what to expect. I was able to pre-​register online so I didn’t have to fill out tons of paperwork when I got there.
The facility is very clean and state of the art, and someone was playing a beautiful piano as we entered. The robot used for my surgery is the most up to date model available. Most of the staff were friendly and kind. I ended up staying overnight to get my pain under control and I had the sweetest nurses and CNAs I could have asked for. They were very responsive and kept me updated on when I could get up, remove the catheter, eat, etc. They were also very kind to my husband and tolerant of my large family visiting. They let my husband sleep in my room even though it was past visiting hours.
There was a menu for the meals and the food was surprisingly decent. The nurses were very kind and chatted with us. They didn’t treat me like just a bed, but like a person. I feel very lucky my insurance covered this hospital, and the good care I received brought down the stress of having to stay in the hospital at all. I am so appreciative of all the people who took care of me! You are all my angels.

The Mrs was in a triage unit. My sIster in law and I arrive at the same time. How come my sister in law can go in but the spouse cannot. Drives me absolutely nuts. The desk refers me to security and security says she will be out soon, an hour ago. arghhhhh… I want to scream. I really think they forgot about her. ER be consistent. The small ER parking lot is absolutely full.

Bill for an uncomplicated C sec that was planned. $ 89,000. Nurses had colds and passed them to us

Came in today to the ER with my wife whose eye was inflamed and puffed out big time. My wife, an RN, knows the seriousness of the situation and was concerned she may lose her vision.
Remarkably, Dr Shutz gave very little care to her and in fact left the room mid conversation when my wife was trying to discuss concerns about the care plan. She was hoping for some proper antibiotic administration and was not drug seeking, but her requests fell on deaf ears. When this was brought to the attention of the shift manager, she exhibited very little concern as well.
Per the recommendations all across Unilocal,it sounds like Concord is the place to go for quality of care.
I will say that the RN who helped out was very nice and had proper concerns which is why I gave 2 stars and not just 1.
Very disappointed that the closest ER has such poor quality of care. Am I really supposed to entrust my family’s lives to this place?

Last night my wife had a seizure and struck her head in several places, was bleeding profusely and I took her to John Muir Walnut Creek ER thinking it should be the best place in the East Bay. The facility is tops, the people are terrible. My experience echos that of the posting for 11/​10/​2015. The intake was more concerned with my moving my car than the condition of my wife. Once they admitted her she was visited by a nurse, while I was there. I had to leave to take care of other urgent matters, thinking my wife was in good hands. She called me 1.5 hours later to say no one had come back since I was there, she had not been given any pain medication and she was in tremendous pain, they would not even give her a blanket! The staff is completely callous. I spoke to friends and family after this and they shared consistent experiences over the past few years.
I would blame the executive management as failing to properly monitor and manage the staff. They need to clean house, dump the employees who are infecting the others with their uncaring nature and hire a staff that will live up to the stated standards of the John Muir Health System.
Do yourself and your loved ones a favor and — if you have to use John Muir facility — do not go to John Muir Walnut Creek. John Muir Concord is a good alternate.
As for all the local hospitals in the Walnut Creek area, my best experiences are with Kaiser, which I was not expecting. I will be electing for them next time my annual enrollment comes up at my work.

If you have a choice, and need an ER, drive to the next hospital. This is a train wreck of an ER. Short staffed, you are left alone literally for hours with no information, no one will check up on you. Hooked up to machines to track your vitals but when an alert goes off, no one is within earshot. There will be no response.
I don’t know if the whole John Muir system is this dismal but just waiting for the next open enrollment to get out of this.

This review is for Salma the RN from the Pediatrics Department on the 3^rd floor. Great, kind person big heart and very helpful. Treated me and my son like family. A lot of people should learn to be more like Salma caring for your patients and letting your actions show that makes your scary experience by being in the hospital with your small children a lot easier. Thank you Salma

this review is for the labor and delivery department.
I arrived at the labor and delivery department around midnight mid december of 2015 for an emergency induction due to a complication. i was afraid and didn’t know the outcome of all i was going through. nurses were amazing patient and caring. the quality of care they provided was uncalled for. they explained every procedure and answered all my two thousand questions with patience and a smile. they made me feel secured and welcomed.
my room was clean and spacious, they provided pain meds as i needed them, it was quiet at night time, my nurse call light was answered within seconds, my assigned nurse was always available within few seconds, they provided my husband with a portable bed and made him feel comfortable which made me comfortable and happy too.
i had my first two children at a different hospital which i will not name but the quality care at john muir has no comparison with any other hospital. i would definately recommend this hospital for expecting mothers looking for a birth center.

ER smells like piss. Imagine sitting in the waiting room breathing piss for three hours straight. Not fun.
Doctors seem okay when they eventually see you.
Bring a gas mask. Holy crap.

John Muir has a good reputation and I have to say some of their doctors are good but I had a lot of negative experiences with John Muir that overshadow the positive experiences.
Billing issues. They just can’t get it right. This happens at least once a year. It happened every single year for the last 8 years straight. I have an HMO, but they keep messing up the insurance information or «loose» my copay in their computer system and then send me invoices. I keep calling them and mailing them, it is such a pain with them. The phone number on the invoices is not the number you need to call. Why is it on the invoice then? So, I call the other number they gave me, talked to their people in the billing department. These people seem to be from a different planet, they don’t understand a word of what I’m saying, they keep telling me I didn’t pay the copay even though I have a receipt from the doctor’s office and my credit card statement. «No sir, you did not pay, you are responsible for the co-​pay.» On top of that these people are super rude, no customer service skills at all. Unfortunately you have to call them, if you send your evidence via mail you will never receive a response and no one will do anything on their end. They will keep sending you invoices and start charging you penalties. Every time they bill me, it takes multiple calls to multiple people until the issue is finally resolved. On top of all this they never notify you that they found the issue on their end and fixed it.
It’s not just me. My wife has her own insurance and runs into the same issues with John Muir. One of my coworkers has the problem too. Makes you wonder if they do that on purpose, hoping you will pay because you don’t want to deal with this hassle? If you have a choice between John Muir and another provider, pick the other provider — you will save yourself huge headaches.
I just switched to another provider. I could not handle John Muir’s horrific customer service anymore and the never ending billing issues.

It was my first visit. F/​up, requested urgently by PCP after a car accident with 2 fractures in my pelvis and swelling of my legs/​feet. I was very quickly admitted so that was great. I saw Dr. Wong for max 10 minutes, probably more like 6 – 7 minutes. I didn’t get that much new information, the only thing she had for me is a referral to PT. I already have in-​home PT and a great PT who can see me when fractures heal. However, she was a great help of answering my most important question «in her opinion» because my PCP kept saying over and over «talk/​see ortho» and ‘I’m not an expert here” and sounding that I need bilateral arterial US of lower extremeties like it was life or death decision. Thank God, I got very little info but enough to come to my own conclusions. It was rushed and besides what I already knew and some assumptions about connections between my prior back injury that I have chronic pain with and know very well and don’t take anything for it, I got a suggestion for compression stockings. No f/​u was made but being a clinical psychologist with major interest in chronic pain/​behavioral health on my birthday, it was perfect to get one most important question resolved. If I had bigger issues and more questions, I would rate this service less because it has to be minimum 15 minutes and not rushed as it was. On a plus side, she was very good without causing me extreme pain during exam compared to PCP’s disregard for it. I haven’t seen this doctor long enough to make any recommendations but I thought it might be helpful for someone in a similar situation.

Five star for a great first time experience. Very clean and beautiful hospital with friendly staff. Had to come here to visit my cousins dad and seems like it was a happy experience for him besides the fact that he was hospitalized. Hey maybe I can get a job here someday.

The last time I saw or was AT JMH was 1976. It was one brick building. NOW it’s expansive and is marvelously staffed. The pregnant doctor that saw my friend said he would die in 1 – 2 years but I give her the benefit of the doubt for being a bit insensitive to scare him into living. _​I_​«threatened» him with, «if you die, _I_’m marrying your corpse.» I enjoyed the cafeteria for several, reasonably priced meals and the staff there was lovely & accommodating. I fully expect « Unilocal» to take my review down because they ALWAYS do. I guess having anything positive to say, is frowned on nowadays. That being said, at least I get to type my opinion & formulate my thoughts. Okay, Unilocal®ers, did this violate your logarithm enough???

Twice I’ve been here to take a relative to the ER. The service is appalling. I feel like the staff here lack compassion and do not care for their patients. The nurses talk condescendingly and act like the patient’s condition is not serious at all. Both times we waited for more than an hour to get any real medical attention. Probably the only kind people we have met was one nurse, the doctor, and the valet.
Now, I’m aware that the staff here have to deal with a lot more than I can imagine, and probably more serious cases than the ones my relatives had. But what a shame it is to lose the compassion that brought them into this field.

I gave them one star just so I could rate them. This has got to be the dirtiest place I’ve ever been in. The cleaning crew came in and with the same rag he started to clean the toilet the sinks the door handles and the counters with the same rag never rinsing it ONCE! Wiping the whole room with the same rag the toilet to door handles to counters to the arms of chairs! Absolutely filthy disgusting! I will never come back here and I’ve been before but very sick but this time I watched and I hope the state comes in here and shuts them down he didn’t even bring in a rinse bucket or change the rag he used on the toilet! He just continued to wipe everything with the same rag! Absolutely the worst most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. I will never come back here again I would rather die than be exposed to this kind of outrageous behavior. Just a pig sty. Good luck to you here!

They saved my life, so maybe I’m a little bit partial to the folks at John Muir. The ER, ICU and surgical staff have taken extremely good care of me. In comparing with Kaiser the ER is night and day. Instead of hours, the wait time is minimal. ICU was all about compassionate, competent service. I’ve had a couple surgeries there and at UCSF and found that UCSF communicated better at what was going to happen and were generally better at prepping me for the procedure. Otherwise, no issues with John Muir’s surgical team and facilities. The healing process went smoothly and I was given plenty of reading material post procedure to assist me at home. I’m surprised by the other reviews. This place is amazing to me.

I am surprised to see all the bad experiences that people have had here. Since Doctors Medical Hospital closed a couple of months back the closest hospital for me is Alta Bates, John Muir or Martinez Hospital. I go to John Muir just because I have been there before and have had pretty good medical attention every time I come here. I have heart disease so unfortunately I come at least every 3 – 4 months due to pain and other symptoms.
The parking here is FREE and you can always find parking here. The check in process is really usually fast and even if there is people ahead of you it still goes as quickly as possible. Every time I have been there the nurses are really kind and they listen to your needs, they can be a little bit better of checking in on you though. The doctors are pretty good also. The second time I was there this year they did every test they could think of to rule anything serious out. The maximum amount of time I have been there was 6 – 8 hours. Definitely a place of my choice to go to if I need emergency medical attention.

After two admissions for my friend the 100 year old man I am optimistic about his care. No one mentions his age in an effort to limit care, all medical personnel are attentive and treat this highly interactive elder with respect.
Room was a double and very cramped. Post surgery was too optimistic and reluctant to keep patient overnight until the anesthesia was slow to wear off. Did not decide until evening, willing to discharge even when a previous early discharge resulted in two ER returns.
Security was appropriate, parking adequate at Concord facility. Signage inadequate except «you are here» maps, easy to get lost when looking for one! Elevator per tower. Ward space seems very tight, halls not wide enough for all parked equipment and passage. Nurses can barely turn around in the room, never mind guests. Attitude quite positive toward patients though.

We came to the emergency room to find an understaffed center with uninformative and apathetic staff.
The emergency room was empty and we were informed that there was only one emergency room doctor on staff. Who was she seeing, though? The place was practically empty. You could see the tumble weeds rolling through the corridors.
We’re still waiting after almost 2 hours.

My grandmother ended up in this hospital due to an illness. When I arrived at this facility, I was extremely impressed with the infrastructure and how caring the staff was in the Emergency room. There were security guards all over the place and the rooms were huge.
I was informed of my grandmother’s condition by Doctor Foliard every week even up to the last day my grandmother was alive. When my grandma passed the hospital staff were very patient and accommodating to my family and I. They even sent us a sympathy card. They did everything they could to keep her alive. They did a great job in keep my grandma comfortable before she passed. Thank you to all the doctors and nurses.

I gave birth to my daughter here and have been back here 2 more times since she was born 15 months ago.
We love it here. They are kind and knowledgeable. We never have to wait long. I don’t know what else you can ask for.
Child birth here was amazing. We felt like we were in a hotel with unlimited room service. A nice nurse at beck and call ²⁵⁄₇. A menu to order all my meals. Someone who came and cleaned my room every day. My husband had a pull out bed with a privacy screen. Our daughter had a bassinet and stayed with me. PTW, I ordered every item on the menu for every meal and they brought it. That way, my husband didn’t have to go out for his meals.
I recommend this hospital to friends and family.

Last, clean, best food, only negative I feel it’s cold and so secure I feel front desk and security coud be more friendly

OMG OMG OMG —— OK so John Muir is pretty. It has pretty ads, pretty billboards, pretty lobbies, pretty landscaping even a pretty gift shop. Which is nice. If you’re a HOTEL. But if you are sayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy… a HOSPITAL… then that’s just not gonna cut it.
We’ve tried to make JM work for us… truly. Hematology, ER, Urgent Care, Lab, care units —- I am not sure if they have a contract out on us or what but every blasted time, something nearly or actually life threatening has happened.
Misdiagnoses X 3 (serious). Wrong/​Contraindicated medications. Neglecting to update KEY medications… not just once but three times… Neglecting to give key antidote for 12 hours. Ordering nuclear level antibiotic that was meant for 3 days — ordering it for TEN, thereby wiping out digestive system. Slow or conflicting lab reports. Refusing to speak with doctors from primary treating hospital despite agreeing to cooperate in a cancer care situation. STILL not updating med records until about 12 hours before death. They had about 5 months to update these prior. But nooooooooooooo…
Oh and getting records? The staff is insanely rude and incomplete in directions.
The care professionals are nice enough but treatments range from incomplete to bizarre. I honestly have had better breast exams at AIRPORTS than with the consulting surgeon I met with. Who by the way would not read the radiology films or reports. And wanted to do an on the spot in office biopsy. SERIOUSLY? Have actually put in my legal stuff care instructions that under no circumstances am I to be treated by John Muir or its affiliates.
OK so If you are stuck with them — well at least it’s a pretty place. Just be totally sure to double check on your own whatever care plan or medication they come up with before indulging. And be a pit bull on being your own advocate and asking for outside 2^nd opinions. If possible do not use their subcontracted lab. And… well you get the picture.

I’ve been a visitor in here several times and I love the giant parking garage out front. Patient guest parking is floors 5 — 8, with reserved parking on the lower levels. 10 mph speed limit with digital signs posting your speed the entire way up, so go slow. Near the main hospital entrance is free valet.
Once inside, security will check you in with your ID, look up the patient’s room number, and point you in the right direction. I’ve mostly had great experiences at this front desk.
The rooms are pretty nice and its easy to find your way around. ER is in the back of the hospital with it’s on entrance off Ygnacio, and the main hospital is most easily accessed from La Casa Via.

So far so good! Brought my spouse here for surgery to have an inflamed appendix removed. Nice nurses great treatment. Spacious facility and rooms. Looks clean.
I haven’t gotten any bills yet so keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t have any of the issues I read here.