Alaska Native Medical Center

I want to start by expressing my sincere appreciation for the Emergency Department staff--they were outstanding in every way. Their professionalism, compassion, and efficiency deserve a full five stars. However, our experience in the ICU was deeply disappointing and concerning. My partner was admitted for pneumonia and spent several days in the ICU, during which time we noticed serious lapses in patient care and professionalism. Staff rarely checked on her regularly unless family members were present. When she needed assistance with basic needs, such as using a portable commode, it often seemed to inconvenience the staff. On multiple occasions, she felt forced to unhook herself from monitoring equipment to use the restroom--something that should never happen in an intensive care setting. Adding to our concern, a physician made an inappropriate comment, telling her she was "too young to be on 8 liters of oxygen." Such a statement was not only unprofessional but also deeply insensitive. Patients come to the ICU for treatment and support, not judgment. We will be reaching out to hospital administration and the Joint Commission regarding this incident, as the issues we witnessed reflect systemic problems in ICU bedside manner, patient respect, and follow-up care. We urge the hospital to review these concerns seriously and take corrective action--through staff training, patient care audits, and accountability measures--to ensure no other patient experiences the same neglect or disrespect.

I took my boyfriend to the er in the middle of the night. All of the staff were kind and compassionate. Nurses and the PA checked on him with care and showed empathy. They explained things really well and gave me an opportunity to ask any questions I had. The only thing I feel would be better for situations where someone is staying with a patient all night, would be for better chairs, these chairs were so uncomfortable, there wasn't any chance to catch any sleep as the visitor. The following day I had sore muscles and a crank in my back.

Had a god awful experience with one of the morning nurses in the ER, his name is John with a grey beard and glasses. I had come in because my anxiety reached a point where I started having involuntary spasms and couldn't even open my hands to drive. The spasms were so awful it went to my face and my mouth closed so tightly I couldn't breathe on top of feeling that already. I refused hydroxzyine to avoid the drowsiness feeling so I can actually drive home, I had to refuse it twice on top of him saying "can you order this please?" To a different nurse. He was super condescending and maybe it's one of his micro aggressions he needs to check, because another male came in sat right next to me also had a mental health crisis!! Guess what! He was so caring and told him he can confide in with him about anything and that he is surrounded by help and people that care. When it's a woman that is mixed with native, he is stern, cold and unsympathetic?

Waited 3+ hours in the emergency room, was told I was next and was only waiting for "shift Change" I was in excruciating pain, balling my eyes out, only to be told my room almost 2 hrs later was taken and they won't know when I'll be seen. Not to mention the lady who sits in the ER lobby was extremely rude. Don't tell someone that they are next and not keep your word.

Most of the systems created for Native Americans were built on systemic racism the Native hospital has come a long way. Everything about the hospital seems different, we see more of our people and the doctors are eager to learn from their patients. I trust them with my children and that says a lot. Thank you for continuing to learn. Failed to diagnose me for a great many things, hypertension. I'd guess they do this a lot.