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My opinion is that while WakeMed is a beautiful facility, I wasn't happy with the care someone I'm a guardian for received. The communication was next to none, and I constantly had to beg for info. I got to speak with the actual doctor ONCE in two weeks and was lucky to speak with a nurse once a day.
Poor OP, you must be confused when you read these responses! Bear in mind they clearly illustrate how each person's experience(s) defined or affected their preference for a hospital. Don't let them put you off any one of the facilities, they all provide excellent medical care overall. And, the posters'comments illustrate that things do not always go as they should for one reason or another- but this happens at every hospital. Posters-I am not discounting or diminishing your experiences as i've had my share too, I respect where you are coming from.
GarnerMama gave the most realistic (& accurate) response - depends on what you need.
As I have children, I've experienced care at each facility over the years, I've had good and bad experiences at each of them. I also did some medical training at WakeMed and worked for Duke so have insight into how they are also.
I've lived in this area for 35+ yrs and remember when each facility had its share of good & bad press -earned and not earned! I will tell you your experience will mostly depend on the patient volume they are experiencing, and the quality of staff - this being a small community, they may have worked at one of the other facilities at one time
WakeMed was once known as the hospital for mostly poor people, they provided lots of indigent care. But they also provided the same excellent care to wealthier and well-insured patients. Over the yrs it has evolved into the present day, excellent place for emergency& trauma care, heart, and now children. They provide all round excellent medical care.
I'd say that each hospital has docs who come from various US & International medical schools, including Duke, UNC schools, and they graduate training and work at opposing sites
Rex - used to be the wealthier and well-insured person's WakeMed, but on a smaller scale. Now its a good all round facility, and like the other hospitals, competes for patients by adding new programs, services to be competitive. It has excellent quality care. it is a UNC affiliate which means you may be referred to Chapel Hill for certain tests or to meet with specialist.
Duke Raleigh hospital (old Raleigh Community hosp) is morphing! Used to be the smallest hospital in Raleigh, and offered excellent, basic, non emergency care. Now Duke owns it. Their goal is to use it treat patients in Raleigh who normally had to travel to Duke for speciality care - such as cancer. Many of their Wake Co. patients struggled to get to Durham, or drive because of their illness. Now they have a local facility that can treat them. In addition, the hospital has different specialties to serve the Raleigh community, and they do have a non trauma ctr ER. They can patch you, stabilize you and transfer you to a specialty facility if needed, or, admit you if it is something they can treat...just as any non trauma ER would do. It's an excellent small (growing) hospital, with docs who visit from Duke as well as excellent local docs who work their or have privileges there.
Duke hospital/clinics Durham - The finest care around! They are like UNC in many ways. And unlike in others. They have a medical school, teaching hospital, world-renowned doctor scientists and a highly trained nursing and medical tech staff. What I mean by "care" is the hi level knowledge of their docs, researchers, and medical professionals, and their ability to apply it in treating patients. I have met many fine docs there who are driven to find cures or best treatments for their patients, their dedication is humbling. I only wish the community at large could see behind the scenes as I have. Ted kennedy's doc, Allan Friedman, is one example. He has to be the most humble man, (especially doc) I've ever met. His dedication to his patients and even prospective ones, would surprise you. Some of the wealthiest people in the world travel to Duke not only for care of serious illnesses but for wellness check ups. People move from other states to Durham to be receive long term treatment from Duke. We are more than fortunate to have them on our doorstep!
UNC Chapel Hill - great folks, a great place! Excellent care. A part of the University of North Carolina health system, compared to Duke, which is a private facility. you will receive fine care there.
hope this helps! Residents of the triangle are so fortunate to have the finest of medical care. You can't go wrong here with any of them - depending on your needs.
If you can stand to hear more from me...meant to add, not matter which hospital you are in, you should remember that you, and you alone, should advocate for yourself. If you are not able to due, then designate a friend/family member to do this for you.
Interview your doc, let them know what level of service you expect so that you can agree on when and how to communicate. They deal with so many pts all bringing different communication preferences - you should make your wishes clear up front. Where poss prepare yourself with list of Q's, take notes. When you ck into the hosp. don't take the medical staff for granted, get to know them where poss, question them if something doesn't make sense - communicate! Same goes for picking a new doc...interview them, if you don't feel good about them, move on, try another.
Poor OP, you must be confused when you read these responses! Bear in mind they clearly illustrate how each person's experience(s) defined or affected their preference for a hospital. Don't let them put you off any one of the facilities, they all provide excellent medical care overall. And, the posters'comments illustrate that things do not always go as they should for one reason or another- but this happens at every hospital. Posters-I am not discounting or diminishing your experiences as i've had my share too, I respect where you are coming from.
GarnerMama gave the most realistic (& accurate) response - depends on what you need.
As I have children, I've experienced care at each facility over the years, I've had good and bad experiences at each of them. I also did some medical training at WakeMed and worked for Duke so have insight into how they are also.
I've lived in this area for 35+ yrs and remember when each facility had its share of good & bad press -earned and not earned! I will tell you your experience will mostly depend on the patient volume they are experiencing, and the quality of staff - this being a small community, they may have worked at one of the other facilities at one time
WakeMed was once known as the hospital for mostly poor people, they provided lots of indigent care. But they also provided the same excellent care to wealthier and well-insured patients. Over the yrs it has evolved into the present day, excellent place for emergency& trauma care, heart, and now children. They provide all round excellent medical care.
I'd say that each hospital has docs who come from various US & International medical schools, including Duke, UNC schools, and they graduate training and work at opposing sites
Rex - used to be the wealthier and well-insured person's WakeMed, but on a smaller scale. Now its a good all round facility, and like the other hospitals, competes for patients by adding new programs, services to be competitive. It has excellent quality care. it is a UNC affiliate which means you may be referred to Chapel Hill for certain tests or to meet with specialist.
Duke Raleigh hospital (old Raleigh Community hosp) is morphing! Used to be the smallest hospital in Raleigh, and offered excellent, basic, non emergency care. Now Duke owns it. Their goal is to use it treat patients in Raleigh who normally had to travel to Duke for speciality care - such as cancer. Many of their Wake Co. patients struggled to get to Durham, or drive because of their illness. Now they have a local facility that can treat them. In addition, the hospital has different specialties to serve the Raleigh community, and they do have a non trauma ctr ER. They can patch you, stabilize you and transfer you to a specialty facility if needed, or, admit you if it is something they can treat...just as any non trauma ER would do. It's an excellent small (growing) hospital, with docs who visit from Duke as well as excellent local docs who work their or have privileges there.
Duke hospital/clinics Durham - The finest care around! They are like UNC in many ways. And unlike in others. They have a medical school, teaching hospital, world-renowned doctor scientists and a highly trained nursing and medical tech staff. What I mean by "care" is the hi level knowledge of their docs, researchers, and medical professionals, and their ability to apply it in treating patients. I have met many fine docs there who are driven to find cures or best treatments for their patients, their dedication is humbling. I only wish the community at large could see behind the scenes as I have. Ted kennedy's doc, Allan Friedman, is one example. He has to be the most humble man, (especially doc) I've ever met. His dedication to his patients and even prospective ones, would surprise you. Some of the wealthiest people in the world travel to Duke not only for care of serious illnesses but for wellness check ups. People move from other states to Durham to be receive long term treatment from Duke. We are more than fortunate to have them on our doorstep!
UNC Chapel Hill - great folks, a great place! Excellent care. A part of the University of North Carolina health system, compared to Duke, which is a private facility. you will receive fine care there.
hope this helps! Residents of the triangle are so fortunate to have the finest of medical care. You can't go wrong here with any of them - depending on your needs.
Truly, a comprehensive and informative post! Re points you way....
Thank you.
I've also heard that someone with a VERY responsible position at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill wasn't able to get decent medical care for her OWN father. She was extremely disturbed her own employer provided such shoddy care.
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