Healthcare in Delaware (Dover: insurance, mortgage, quality of life)

[SXMGirl]

peeweeaz, yes it is the same governor. Also the same governor who did not want to deal with the Delaware State Hospital debacle.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Just to chime in here... Christiana Care in Newark has an excellent cardiac unit. I was in there by mistake and they took very good care of me, and I think they are known for being one of the best. As far as the other units of the hospital, let's just say that I don't plan to be going back any time soon. I left with a "present" that they are not sure what it is. They thought staph but we don't know. I can also tell you that I never slept because the night nurse kept trying to give me the wrong meds. I had an MRI at midnight on my last night there, and the young man who took me down to the lab asked me if I slept there. When I told him why I did not, he said that was common. Last spring, Governor Minner had an open discussion in Dover regarding people who had problems with hospital care. Unfortunately, I could not attend because it was held at 2 p.m. However, I think there was a good bit of negative feedback.

Geez sxmgirl...........Sounds like a nightmare. We are not near Newark and I am glad but we are near Kent General and that is the one I'm interested in hearing about.
But you know, mistakes can happen anywhere. Depends on how often. Maybe you just got them on an off day?

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

I've reviewed the Joint Commission website. The hospitals are arranged slightly differently than the way I presented them. Kent and Milford are presented better, but not yet at standard. So seeing that they are fully accredited in 2007 is a nice step up!

Overall, from the perspective of JCAHO surveys, which I can tell you are extremely rigorous. These are pretty good results. I'm surprised, given some of the things I've read in these forums ... but it's a good surprise.

Great Job and I'm sure everyone really appreciates your research

Kent General does seem that bad, just as long as the old ticker holds up
Then again, like you said the results are pretty good and I'm grateful for this

BTW.........Where is St Francis?

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

peeweeaz, yes it is the same governor. Also the same governor who did not want to deal with the Delaware State Hospital debacle.

Why do these people get elected?

[rockky]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

peeweeaz, yes it is the same governor. Also the same governor who did not want to deal with the Delaware State Hospital debacle.

Yes, SXMGirl...this is the same governor whose statement to the press when a young, female counselor working in the State Prison system was taken hostage in her own office for seven hours, beaten, raped, and nearly killed by an inmate who was a serial rapist...well, Ruth Ann Minner said, "You expect something like this to happen in a prison". Her name is Cassandra Arnold. I'm sure there are stories about this horrific incident on the Inter Net.

The DSH mess is on going. Did you see where one of the most outspoken defenders of patient rights and care was fired this week? I guess she pointed at one of Minner's appointees one to many times.

I'm sure RAM will appoint another task force to investigate. I think we have task forces investigating task forces at this point. The Queen has spoken! "Off with their heads!""

Delaware is unique in its size. The general population has much more direct contact with their legislators. I know I can see my rep when I go to the grocery store. He doesn't seem to be part of the 'machine'. Nice guy.

The 'machine' that operates up state is a fearsome bunch....Freebery, Gordon, etc. Oh...and Queen Minner....I'm not sure that John Carney and Jack Markel aren't far behind that throne. I've met them all...several times.

[SXMGirl]

rockky, what happened to Cassandra Arnold was horrific, disgusting, and despicable. Governor Minner's actions regarding this was inexcusable. Delaware is small enough that the outrage should last for a long time, but people forget and keep electing the same ones into office.

[rockky]

Exactly, SXMGirl!! I truly don't understand it. I find it a bit frightening. The good old boys/girls club is firmly in place. They don't give a hoot about the citizens.

The other thing I don't understand is how the legislators vote on bills. Often there is a committee set up, and bills are assigned to these committees. If the appointed head of committee doesn't want the bill to be voted upon, they can just stick it in a desk drawer and it's never seen again. This is not democracy.

Every year there is a dinner that is like a roast sort of format. All the big wigs are there. They parody this practice and sit and laugh about it.

I'm still trying to figure out how Beau Biden was elected Attorney General. He had *no* experience...the other person running had tons of experience. Oh. Yeah. I guess I do know how he was elected. Stupid me. I've been seated near his father at some of these affairs. All politics aside, I was not impressed.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by rockky

I'm still trying to figure out how Beau Biden was elected Attorney General. He had *no* experience...the other person running had tons of experience. Oh. Yeah. I guess I do know how he was elected. Stupid me. I've been seated near his father at some of these affairs. All politics aside, I was not impressed.

Not a biden fan huh?

[JulieF]

Hi all, and especially Charley. I'm sure you'll do a thorough job with information available to you.

One think I find myself resenting at least a little is that some posters, who are either contemplating moving to Delaware or, perhaps, have arrived lately, seem at times to ignore, even disparage, the posts of those who've lived here a long time. Perhaps my impression is wrong; I'm not able to spend much time here.

My husband and I have lived here for almost 15 years, and three other family households have lived here even longer. We all know of multiple instances of poor care at Kent General. I have NO reason to say otherwise, and wish I could be wholly reassuring.

I, personally, know of three people who have been sent home from the ER, told that they had gastro-intestinal symptoms when in fact they were having heart attacks. Two died. One traveled to Christiana Hospital and was correctly dx'd, but has continued treatment in Philadelphia. If you talk with anybody who has been here a while, you're going to hear such things. I know it happens elsewhere, but one of these people returned to the ER THREE times, each time being sent home with instructions to take Pepto-Bismol. She died after the third trip.

I took a visiting aunt to the ER 6 years ago. She was having frightening symptoms. She has an aneurism which was being watched (not enlarging so far), but the ER doctor asked me, after I'd told him that the aneurism was in the ascending aorta whether it was "located in her chest or abdomen." Good heavens!! I have only a slightly higher than average knowledge of medicine, but even I know that the ascending aorta is in one's chest! My aunt insisted on going home (to Maryland) immediately, and we made certain she got there! She is treated at Johns Hopkins and will not even consider visiting here again. Scary thing is that I know of almost exactly the same thing happening to others, even another relative.

I have an acquaintance who went to Walter Reed for her heart problems, but was happy to find a new cardiologist in Dover, imported from Philly. Problem is, she is now concerned, and I think she stood be, about the training of the nurses, etc., at Kent General. I remember a friend going to the cardiac ICU at Kent General when there wasn't even a board certified cardiologist in town! That's not the case now, but how well is staff trained? I know of several nurses who don't allow their family members to be treated in Dover, and most of us know doctors who go elsewhere.

I'd go on. The friend who had lupus for many years and had to almost die and decide to go to Johns Hopkins in order to be diagnosed. All the doctors in Dover she saw treated her as if she was a hypochondriac. Etc.!

YES, I've heard GOOD stories and outcomes, and I'm convinced things are improving. But please don't doubt the information about ANYTHING provided to you by people who have lived in Delaware for many years. I know you want to believe only the good. That's human nature.

These aren't rumors. These are people's experiences. It's very hard to understand why people would take the time and trouble to post them otherwise.

I will soon post a list of FAVORITE things, places, people in Delaware.

Right now, it's back to work.

Julie's sister, Lori

[JoycieM]

Hi Lori! I truly value your input and the information of all who have posted on this forum. I can only speak for myself but I am very anxious to start a new life and while I know I have to be careful in making a decision, it's hard to contain my enthusiasm.

Healthcare and finances are too important to ignore. Know that I and others ( I am sure ) will be reading and considering.

I just appreciate everyone who has done research and has had experiences to share by posting.

I have much going on now right here to think about and when I can focus on
"the move" we plan on getting the facts straight and hopefully have the knowledge and instict that we need to make the right choices for us.

Thanks again,
Joyce