IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital — Attraction in Muncie

Two stars because Dr. John Schmidt in neurology is great, Tanya who is one of the nurse practitioners in the ER is wonderful, and many providers in obstetrics are top-notch. I had a perfectly fine time delivering my daughter here and they’ve done a good job helping me with my chronic migraine disorder. However, my complaint is against Natasha Lynn Thompson, NP, regarding December 19th, 2017.

My daughter experienced a thunderclap headache (a very sudden, severe headache) followed by a period of unconsciousness, then projectile vomiting when she came to. In the past year, I’ve spoken with three other nurse practitioners and one former ER nurse, and learned that this is indeed a medical emergency because it can be indicative of very serious neurological problems: brain bleeding, stroke, seizure, aneurysm. Fortunately, it’s been nearly a year, and my daughter is fine as far as I can tell.

However, that night, after being examined by Tasha Thompson for maybe two or three minutes, tops, she “diagnosed” my daughter with “gastroenteritis”, explained that “belly pain can cause” what happened to her (what?) and prescribed an anti-emetic. Actual quotes. I requested an MRI or CT and was told that an MRI wouldn’t be done without a CT (which isn’t true, I've had them) and that a CT would expose her to radiation (which IS true, however, again: I've had CTs during medical emergencies). I requested bloodwork and was told that nothing in bloodwork would be relevant. When I questioned her line of thinking and asked for a second opinion, she spent more time bragging about her former--read: former--position at Riley Children’s Hospital.

I asked, “What do I do if this happens again?” I was told, “Bring her back.” Why, exactly, would I ever do that?

The next day, of course, my daughter did not have any more vomiting or other GI difficulties, because she didn’t have gastroenteritis. (She was, however, extremely dehydrated, which is what I assume caused the incident, though this was never addressed.) At a follow-up appointment at Open Door, a provider asked me why no bloodwork was done, and explained that elevated prolactin levels could’ve indicated a seizure. Multiple providers I’ve described the incident to have told me that this was completely mishandled, including two who work in our community (and, I know from experience, provide excellent care). Most of my family members are healthcare workers. I am not ignorant.

This person should not be practicing medicine in our community or any community. For whatever reason, Tasha Thompson didn’t feel like my daughter was important enough to receive anything but a nonsense diagnosis. I empathize with everyone who has ever worked in an ER. It’s hard work, the shifts are long, and the work is grueling. My father worked as an ER nurse in my hometown for several years, so I understand. We all make mistakes and medical professionals aren’t perfect. There is, however, no excuse for such a blatant disregard for patient care. The time she spent defending her credentials to me was time she could’ve spent caring for my daughter and listening to me about what happened to her.

I immediately filed a complaint on Ms. Thompson through the joint commission, and received no response. She continues to practice medicine in the ER, which is dangerous, because a provider who diagnoses a thunderclap headache as “gastroenteritis” is liable to kill someone. This puts everyone in Muncie in a very scary position: time is critical during medical emergencies, but going to the closest ER may result in someone treating your potential neurological emergency with zofran and apple juice.

I encourage anyone who has ever received subpar care from Ms. Thompson to file a complaint with the state, which I will also do if I continue to receive no response from BMH regarding this incident. Also, anyone who would like to file a complaint and would like assistance in doing so, writing one, submitting it, etc. may feel free to get into contact with me. I would be more than happy to...

I’m currently experiencing seizures due to a Wellbutrin overdose and having kidney problems, but I can’t go to the only hospital in my city. I was recommended to go following a call with poison control. I heard the nurses in the station taking about my past visits to the er. I was in the hallway seizing for over 3hrs and the tech had to hold my arm during a seizure to take my iv out because I had apparently asked to leave which I don’t remember. I gave them a urine sample and the nurse said I did something to it and that they needed to check the bathroom. They “lost” that sample. Poison control told me to make sure I got certain tests done for my heart and the fact that I was having seizures. The doctor only came to tell me he was discharging me. I had to wait over 20mins the 2x I hit the call light and it was only so I could use the bathroom to give them a new sample and to get rehooked to my iv. My nurse Abigail Davis was heinous and completely ignored me when I told her I was having seizures. I asked for toradol as I was and still am in extreme kidney pain. I asked multiple times for an ekg cause my heart didn’t feel right. I came in with a blood pressure 160/140ish and the room they put me in didn’t even have a fully functional pulse ox. I was degraded and demeaned as though I was a piece of shit on the sidewalk. I don’t do drugs tho that’s not an excuse to treat people badly when they come to you for medical care. I have attempted suicide and am told to come to this er as my psychiatrist and therapist are IU and it’s easier to keep my care integrated. I struggle with depression and more trauma than most people ever experience as a victim of childhood torture and assault. I’ve continue to have traumatic experiences in my adult life. For them to treat me so horribly as I already feel bad is awful. I can’t drive and I have no one to take me to a different hospital so I’m stuck dealing with seizures and pain because I’m too frightened of the nurses to do back. I called the patient advocate line and they never called me back. I was having major seizures for hours in the hallway and I couldn’t even get help. So, now I’m just waiting for it to hopefully go away or for me to get so sick someone else makes the choice for me to go back. I feel so bad and am pretty sure my heart isn’t acting right. I just wanted it documented in case I don’t make it that I tried to go for help and got laughed at instead. I told them poison control sent me. I made a bad choice because I thought I couldn’t live my life anymore. I’m not allowed to take it back or ask for help, because why? I’m not sure as they still have to work the same hours, I have insurance, and I really do try to not ask for anything as the ER staff are so awful except psych side it’s like the rest of them have no souls. I hate this hospital and it’s not fair the way they treat people. I didn’t even have my urine tests back before they discharged me and my test came back as have blood, protein, and something else abnormal. These people are shameful and reflect the absolute worst in humanity. If I do die at least know I tried to get help before and was turned away. Poison Control also has their own records and called me multiple times in the hospital and I kept telling them I wasn’t being help. It’s recorded, I just hope this changes the outcome for...

I spent 11 days here. I was on 7, 8,9 floor Cardiology ICU. First there were wonderful nurses and techs on each floor. There were also horrible ones also. The ER was great. They had me in and working on me fast. The same for Cardiologist that scored my leg and opened my stent. I can say the same for my podiatrist that operated on my foot and fought my infection,Dr.Reed. the problems all raised in the floors. I had no complaints with the 9th floor or Cardio ICU but I didn't stay in either long at all. My problems started on 7th floor and especially with night shift nurse Maddi and the night shift Doctor. There was absolutely ZERO communication. The doctor was non existent. Everything I had discussed and worked with on with the day nurse was totally scrapped at night. Maddi the night nurse took everything personally and had no problem taking it out on you. Pushing meds back for hours was her favorite brand of pay back. Night shift in every floor was terrible. The level of care dropped off unbelievably at 7pm - 7am. If it were possible I would have locked my door and hid until sun up. The 8th floor was better but still the same problems . Absolutely no communication with patients and with each other. I had a day nurse that didn't speak to me for a whole day because I complained to her boss because I was getting off s call on speaker phone. The nurse asked who I was talking to and what we were talking about. It was absolutely none of her business and totally unprofessional for her to ask. It was another nurse taking it personally and punishing me for it. I was released to a rehab facility to rehab my foot. I was supposed to be released with 3 days meds and script instructions. Neither of which they sent. I got to sit in unbearable pain for 7 hours why my rehab tried to deal with this inept hospital. The cafeteria was understaffed so you sometimes got all of your meals. Sometimes you didn't. I understand that but when you called to tell them, they would say they would be right up and then never show. I could have chosen a bunch of hospital but chose Ball because I loved them when they did my neck surgery. They saved my loved ones life a few years ago. Treated her wonderfully. I don't know what happened because I wouldn't recommen it to anyone now. I was not a patient that was combative. I was actually the opposite. I tried not to bother staff. I was polite, understanding of understaffing and tried to joke and cut up with staff. I tried to do everything that I could do to make their jobs easier. I only complained when it was obviously ridiculous. It wasn't all bad though I had the best tech and nurse I have ever had were on the 7th floor. Kavan and Garret kept me sane on the 7th floor. They were amazing. The food was pretty good. Overall though I wouldn't recommend this...