Hilo Benioff Medical Center

I visited this hospital in march.I live in canada. i fell on some lava rock and kneaded my knee cleaned out. Paid my hospital bill and continued on several months later. I get calls and emails that I owe them. Another $2000 American I had no stitches, and it was just debriment of the cuts/scrapes. $600US was steep but not bad... but $2500 to $2600us Level 3. That's just Robbing people. I feel for those who do not have insurance. STAFF was super nice.

I'll start with the positive. The nurses, room service , and radiology were good. I came in with 7 broken ribs and in alcohol withdrawal. The Dr recommended I stay for up to 7 days. I was moved to a hospital room Saturday evening. Given no orientation so I had no idea I was supposed to order my own meals. When I finally asked, I was told I needed to order my meals from the menu and the would be delivered. I asked what menu. Answer- you don't have a menu? A menu was found for me. I was told just call down with the phone. I asked what phone? The aide looked around until she found one wrapped in its cord and stuffed behind the bed. I discovered I had been put in the drunk's part of the hospital-not the area for severe energy, because they said they would help with withdrawal. In 72 hours I received 4 doses of the thing to help with withdrawal. (If you want detox go to BISAC) for pain management I had to ask every time often 10-12 hours after the last dose. Then the nurse had to request from the dr. Another 1-2 hours. Even asking for typo went this same process. 72 hours after arriving at the emergency room, I was woke up at 10 in the evening and told I was doing good so they were moving me to another room. The other room was a basement dormitory with curtained divisions every two beds under bright lights and in a bed the would not adjust for comfort. When I asked to have the overhead light turned off the answer was "we"can do that. After another 15 minutes while everyone was subjected to load conversations between the male and female staff (topic was favorite foods and homemade condiments), the lights were still on. I disconnected my leads, got dressed and let them know I was leaving. When mentioned load talking and lights still on, a male staff said well we were going to turn them off in an hour. If you want real medical care and can - Drive to a different hospital.

I want to begin by saying Hilo Medical Center has amazing staff, and I have had excellent care in the past. But my May 18 Imaging experience was unsafe, alarming, and caused lasting harm. This was a non-emergency visit while on an EKG. I clearly said I did not want imaging, but Nurse Practitioner Paige Lovette and the nurses were excellent. In front of my husband, Paige reassured me: "I promise, one really tiny, small-dose picture, a single image, just to make sure you're okay and safe." I agreed. Instead, the technologist, Matthew (a travel tech from Texas, ponytail and glasses), behaved unstably and dangerously. He: * Pressed the X-ray beam against my chest * Ignored repeated safety questions, refused eye contact, raised an eyebrow, ducked behind the machine, and said "yup" * Took multiple stacked exposures at high settings without warning, permission, repositioning, or protective measures * Disregarded NP orders, patient rights, and safety protocol I immediately felt burning in my chest, throat, neck, arms, and back, and now -- 5 months later -- I still suffer from sun/photo sensitivity, visible burns, and pain, requiring repeated doctor visits. The Imaging Manager promised to get me all original complete full requested documents a physicist and radiologist would review everything and contact me, but this never happened. My requests for DICOM files, audit trails, and documentation were ignored. The "investigation" was closed with denial, no explanation, and no accountability. The Patient Advocate stopped helping once I mentioned legal advice and even withheld the tech's license ID. This was not an accident -- it was reckless overexposure by an unstable technologist, with no accountability from HMC management. Patients deserve safety and transparency, not injury and dismissal. Please becareful this tech still has access to vulnerable patients and equipment and is dangerous with no accountability for his gross actions.

I am had an asthma attack at Kileaua Volcano on 11/08/2025 Hawaii Fire Department out of the Volcano Fire Department showed up and I was code 3 45 minutes to rapid response with asthma exacerbations...RN Rachel was my rapid response RN.She took me to SPU floor where I was cared for with definitely my top 3 hospitaluzations...BSN RN Skylar, Karina, Karin, Chari, Justin, Nikki, Hannah (the student) CNA's Marilyn Monroe, Mariaia, Dalia...I had 3 major asthma exacerbations from the 9th-11th of November 2025. Everyone has so much compassion, integrity, great sense of humor, hard working...I really appreciate all the laughs on my healing journey from the sepsis I got and the asthma exacerbations...I got discharged on the 12th to HOPEservices Respite Medical Facility...Everyone deserves a daisy award and Sunshine Awards... You come to work 12 hours to help save lives and make people time as comfortable as you legally can...My roommate in 226 B...Robin was awesome too.

Very professional, efficient and welcoming! From beginning to end ER experience (5 hours) although painful was a great relief and comforting to know about my overall condition! Dr. Erin McDonough and all the staff were wonderful! Mahalo nui loa!