I went to urgent care in February with excruciating pain in my middle abdomen and right side. I had also developed pain that was going into my chest and back. I had been having these symptoms for 2 years and could not get any answers. The previous week I was scary sick. The doctor at urgent care sent me straight to the hospital in fear that I had an appendicitis. He called the ER and let them know I was coming with a possible appendicitis. When I arrived, they left me in the waiting room for 20 minutes hunched over crying in pain. Once I was taken back to a room, the doctor ordered a CT, urine sample, ultrasound, and blood work. The first doctor spoke with me for 2 minutes and left. I never saw her again. Once all my tests were completed, I waited 7 HOURS for results. By this point my appendix could have ruptured if it would have been an appendicitis. My husband went and asked nurses what was going on and they were all standing around the nurses station laughing and talking. Dr. Blue came in and said “you have a little bit of a UTI but I’m not sure”... ok so I have one or I don’t! There is no in between gray area. He had no explanation for my pain and said I must have a stomach virus. He said someone “read” my ultrasound and CT and everything looked normal. After 7 HOURS, I was discharged with no answers and a very hefty bill. Oh, and did I mention Dr. Blue is a plastic surgeon in Mooresville? Why is a plastic surgeon seeing me about abdominal pain???
Fast forward a few weeks... I knew something was wrong in my body, so I went to GAP in Winston to see a gastroenterologist. This doctor read the EXACT SAME ultrasound that was taken and read at Hugh Chatham and said “well I can see your gallbladder is completely full of sludge. That’s whats causing your pain”. I was NEVER told this at Hugh Chatham. He told me he recommended me having my gallbladder taken out. I then went to Dr. Peterson to discuss the surgery. He then read the EXACT SAME ultrasound that was taken in the ER at Hugh Chatham and said “your gallbladder is packed full of sludge and it looks like we’re going to have to take it out”. Thank God for Dr. Peterson. I finally had my surgery and all went well.
The lack of care, professionalism, skill, and concern in the Hugh Chatham ER is inexcusable. This place needs a complete overhaul. The nurses are unprofessional and slack. This whole situation was avoidable if Hugh Chatham ER hired competent staff. I am extremely disappointed in this hospital. I do not feel that I can trust them with my medical care in the future, especially if it is life threatening. I honestly do not think they are equipped to handle anything but the flu and stomach viruses.