Novato Community Hospital

A year ago this week I went to the emergency room for an infection five weeks after a hip replacement. The attending physician and nurses were great. I was admitted and was in the hospital for six nights. Everyone was professional, friendly and I felt I was under great care. From the doctors, nurses, CNA's, therapists, food attendants, and anyone else that came in my room, I was very impressed. The health professionals work long hours and should be recognized. This is a long overdue thank you. No more pain!

My wife had a fairly complex facial surgery in early June this year and we were really satisfied with the whole process and the level of care given by the hospital and it's staff. Highlights include Erica (I believe an ICU nurse) who was able to give an IV without discomfort when it's usually a significant challenge for the best of phlebotomists and nurses. Lana the recovery nurse was also great, but I wish I had a more direct way to reach her at the end of the procedure - I must note this is only because I missed her initial post surgical phone call - I wasn't able to get back into touch easily as her other obligations likely took her away, HOWEVER I was able to get in touch with staff and the doctor by calling the number she had provided and was in the loops within 15 minutes after I finally reached back out. The ICU staff through the night was also supportive and professional, particularly David whose name we remember best since he was her wake up nurse. The whole team was great and encouraged us to speak up for any requests or questions. We were also pleased to see how seriously the facility took security, particularly after hours, with escorts and ample security staff. We felt informed and supported by the hospital and various teams and will likely be back as we continue to work with her Doctor/Surgeon.

Let me first start off by saying that I wouldn't even bring my worst enemy to the Novato Community Hospital Emergency room. I typically do not write reviews of places that I visit unless my experience is exceptional, or like in this case, extremely terrible. During my first visit ever to California, I severely injured my back and had to be transported by rescue to the emergency room due to the extreme pain I was in. Once we arrived at the hospital, I was checked in and told that I would be receiving some medication to help with the pain as I waited to see a doctor, but was never given anything. I sat quietly in a wheel chair for nearly 3 hours before being brought into an exam room. Let me also say that I was unable to sit up straight because all of my pain was concentrated to my right side. In order to ease some of the pain, I had to sit sideways with my right leg extended outward. A male nurse then opened up the emergency room door and called for me to enter the exam area and just stood there holding the door open and stared at me. I'm confident he saw I was sitting in a wheel chair, but for some reason it didn't register with him until I told him that I couldn't walk and that he would need to wheel me in. Once the male nurse wheeled me in to the exam room, he parked the wheel chair at the foot of the bed and told me to "hop up on the bed", and once again, I told him that not only can't I walk, but I also needed help standing and asked if he could help me up and onto the bed, which he did. I attempted to sit at the foot of the bed, but again, the pain was too intense to I had to sit sideways with my legs hanging off the bed. Never once did any of the nurses who checked on me ask how they could make me more comfortable, or even ask to help me find a comfortable position lying down until I finally asked. I was injected with a couple of pain medications and took couple more orally then left there on the bed until the doctor showed up. The doctor was very nice and did answer all of the questions I had. After speaking with the doctor, the male nurse walked in again to give me more pain medication and it was at this time I asked to be discharged. I simply needed to get out of there. I was extremely frustrated and angry and in a great deal of pain. I really hope that someone from the hospital calls me, but I know that's a long-shot. I would also like to add that the bulk of my frustration is not because I had to wait so long to be seen by a doctor, as I know first-hand that emergency rooms can sometimes be overwhelmed by the volume of patients. Additionally, staffing can also contribute to extended wait times, but to be treated with such disregard is not what anyone should expect during a hospital visit, especially when you're in such pain. I really hope people read this message and share their experiences, good and bad. If the hospital truly cares about its patients, they will address this issue. To hospital administrators: If you genuinely care about improving the quality of your patients experience, please call me and we can discuss this further.

I have been here several times. With one exception The staff was always very welcoming. The technicians were always on time, friendly and competent. And I didn't struggle to get a parking place. And the results were timely.

I came because I could not get medication refilled, which has been otherwise accommodated by hospitals elsewhere. Intake was timely, though the wait time exceeded two hours before being expeditiously dismissed by a doctor, who not only did not give me the time of day, but, cared very little to accommodate my rather urgent medical need of receiving medication. I do not recommend this location, and I rarely write reviews of any place, let alone a hospital. She asked me what other medications I take, and was dismissive of those also. I have not been treated previously which felt prejudicial. The medications she inquired on could have been filled in an urgent care, Cymbalta, clonazepam, etc. I feel extremely disgusted that it seemed she was judging me based off my appearance, and not off my legitimate medical needs, which I was under the impression doctors take paths to fill.