UTMB Health - University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston — Attraction in Galveston

Nurses and other caregivers get a 5 star rating. Maybe even that high for the technical ability of the physicians, but that remains to be seen. The short story of this review is that if you or a loved one has had recommended to them a Watchman Appendage Closure Device procedure, please request the Patient Information Guide from Boston Scientific and read it in it's entirety before making a decision.

We did not receive this Information Guide until AFTER the procedure was done. When the doctor recommended it for my mom, he told us to 'research it ourselves' and let him know if we wanted to go forward. I researched it, but only found basic info about the actual procedure itself from the manufacturer. I found nothing about the post procedure requirements. I had no idea just how much we didn't know. In retrospect, it seems negligent to not provide this detailed information before the patient agrees to the Watchman.

For example, we were not informed that mom would be put on a different blood thinner than the one she was taking, and that after the procedure she would have to have weekly blood draws to measure her coagulation levels - for six weeks. We were not informed that after six weeks she would have to have a TEE - an echo that views the heart from a camera inside your esophagus - which requires some sedation and additional risks. We were not informed until after the TEE that someone needed to be with her for 8 hours - something that requires a bit more advance planning to provide.

Before we made our decision, we were not informed that if at six weeks the Watchman area has not healed completely, then blood leaks back into the area it is intended to cut off, increasing your risk of stroke even more, so you will be required to continue a course of Warfarin for the next 4.5 months, with weekly blood tests. That's quite a commitment and increased risk for bleeding.

We were not informed that it is standard procedure to have another TEE at 12 months to ensure everything is okay. If at the 45 day TEE things don't indicate it has closed properly, you'll have another TEE in 6 months.

Given the staggering price tag for this procedure in terms of money and time, I am grateful that my mother has excellent insurance coverage and a family member available to care for her at the drop of a hat. The procedure might be appropriate for your family member, but you need to know the whole story in order to make an informed decision. UTMB failed to provide comprehensive information concerning ALL the protocols involved in the procedure, so we didn't get the chance to make an informed decision before...

Wound up in the ED with an upper respiratory issue. Have spent time in many hospitals for this issue over the years, some years up to 3 times a year with pneumonia. Anyway, admitted into Jennie Sealy 10th floor. I want to start with the residents, PCA's, and Respiratory Therapists. They were all wonderful and seemed happy to be serving. I was also 'assigned' to a Dr, but not a pulmonologist. I have a pulmonologist who normally handles my lung issues, but he practices in Sugar Land. Only saw the Hospitalist once, and they basically stood back while they (residents) asked me questions. They never even listened to my lungs that I recall. Can't believe I didn't see a Pulmonologist considering the lifelong lung issues I have. While waiting to be discharged, there were still issues with heart rate elevating with little to no exertion (120+bpm)and dropping O2 levels. Nurse asked if I would like to see the Doctor and speak with them. I replied I did. Doctor never talked to me. They had the PCA check my blood pressure lying down instead of sitting. BP resting had read 166/115. The nurse kept asking if I was anxious, nervous, etc. No. A few more readings in that general area... The doctor didn't talk to me...didn't ask about O2, she just told the PCA 'Perfect.' That was it. I also have serious doubts as to whether the Doctor fully reviewed my records, which reflect most of the treatment I have received over the past 10+ years. THEN, the nurse had the audacity to ask if I was going to walk down to my car. I asked if they had transport. She went ahead and called someone. When she arrived, parked outside the room and just stared at me. Rolled me down to the lobby, locked the wheels, and by the time I stood up and turned around, she was out of siteI Have a heart procedure scheduled in a month at this hospital, and I believe I will cancel it immediately.

No communication whatsoever. Only way I was aware of any testing results was through...

BLACK WOMEN, don’t have your baby at this hospital. I had an awful experience with this hospital and even UTMB clinic. First let me start off by saying I was pre diabetic and nothing was done for me I did not find out until after I had my baby, I developed eczema my last trimester nothing was done. Had my baby all the way in gavelston because UTMB made it seem like I could only deliver here. I was definitely treated unfair and unfortunately so was my baby, the nurse who did the iv did it wrong, I tried telling them I was in so much pain, my arm was swelling and something wasn’t right at that moment I begin to cry , I was scared I would die if they were being this careless. The Indian nurse or doctor said I was overreacting and laughed in my face. The nurse on the next shift came and corrected it, she also confirmed that it was indeed done wrong. My baby was stuck for the same procedure twice ( unorganized ), but this time this old white doctor did it and was very rough with her, literally trying to cause pain to her and made her cry, stuck her at least 5 times , the first lady who did it was gentle , stuck her once or twice and she didn’t not cry at all. At the time I couldn’t intervene bc I had gotten news that my dad had a bad accident and I was on the phone trying to get info. Also you have no privacy , and you’re basically a guinea pig. The lady who did my ultra sound at UTMB in Stafford was so rude!!!!! I’m sure she is rude to all black women , you can just tell. The staff there really didn’t care. My experience was a nightmare and I couldn’t wait to leave, never went back to UTMB clinic either and I hate my baby was even born there. They also tried to keep me a whole week, I was walking right after I had my baby literally 45 minutes later. Only reason they let me leave was because my dad was in a serious accident. That place sucks!! I hope I help the next black woman thinking about going there, I was lucky to get out alive you...