NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue — Attraction in New York

I contacted patient advocate Dept.: I submitted the following complaints and they responded with a simple apology notice. Read along:

Scenario #1

Good Morning,

I am having another issue with the lack of urgency towards my fathers care. We have become increasingly concerned about the continued delays in his discharge, which seem to be based on vague or shifting timelines—such as pending tests that are repeatedly pushed back without clear justification.

While we understand the importance of completing necessary medical evaluations, it appears the process is being unreasonably prolonged without transparent communication. As it stands, this has caused distress to my father and concern for our family.

We would appreciate:

A clear and final timeline for discharge or an explanation of what specific medical conditions justify continued hospitalization. Clarification on why tests are being delayed and who is responsible for scheduling. We trust that your team has his best interest in mind, but we also want to ensure he is not being held longer than medically necessary. Please treat this as a formal request for clarity and timely follow-through. Please call me as soon as time permits.

Sincerely,

X__________

Scenario #2

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally report a serious concern regarding the treatment my father received at your facility on July 26, 2025, a little after 7:00 a.m.

According to my father, a phlebotomist approached him and forcefully yanked his arm without obtaining his consent before proceeding to draw blood. He was shocked by the suddenness of the act and did not have an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, or even consent before the needle was inserted. This kind of behavior is unacceptable, violates patient autonomy, and can have both physical and emotional repercussions—especially for elderly patients.

I am extremely concerned about the lack of professionalism, communication, and regard for basic patient rights. At a minimum, all medical procedures—including blood draws—require clear communication and explicit patient consent.

Please advise what steps your institution will take to investigate this incident and prevent such unacceptable conduct from recurring. We expect an acknowledgment of this complaint and an update on any findings or corrective actions.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

X_____________\

My response to the Team:

Dear Ms. Colon

I received your recent response to my complaint regarding patient care. Unfortunately, a general apology does not adequately address the seriousness of the issues I raised.

At this stage, I intend to pursue the matter further. Before involving my attorney, I will be contacting the Department of Health to ensure this is properly reviewed. In addition, to contacting the Joint Commission Organization to follow up on my complaint.

I hope your office takes this opportunity to respond in greater detail and with an appropriate plan of action. I trust this will taken with the seriousness it deserves!

Sincerely,

—- This is truly disgusting! 🤮 .. I don’t recommend anyone to visit...

Today, Oct 1, 2021, my son had severe surgery that lasted almost 8 hours. Finally, his surgeon called me and told me to see my son in the recovery room within 60 minutes before going to the regular room. The last time I was in the recovery room was a few weeks ago, picking him up from previous less invasive surgery that wasn't enough to remove the tumor in his jaw. When I arrived as fast as possible at Main Information Deck/passes at 5 pm, I was told by the desk attendant ( she called herself Liza and didn’t wear a name tag) that I couldn't come up. She said to me that someone in the recovery room told her that I should come back after 8 pm when my son is transferred to a regular hospital room which didn't make much sense. She never told someone in the recovery room that one of the chief surgeons who performed surgery asked me to come to the hospital to see my son. Liza ignored my pleas to call back to clarify the situation. So I asked for a patient advocate, but their office was already closed. So I asked for the Administrator on Duty, who replaces the Patient Advocate, after 5 pm. It looked like she got furious and refused to call one. So I waited for more than an hour and finally located the Administrator on the duty phone number through the hospital operator and left him a voice mail. Update at 5:45 pm: I'm not sure that Liza ever called the administrator on duty herself, so I asked information desk manager Liz Martinez for help with the situation, but she started screaming at me rudely. So I continued to wait. Update 6:15 pm: The administrator on duty, Benjamine came out; he was very friendly and soon told me that I could go up to see my son. At the same time, the surgeon finally saw my emails asking her for help, and she sent the resident downstairs to bring me up. After all, it was an upsetting experience.

However, upstairs everybody was friendly, I was so happy to see my son surviving this terrifying surgery, and hopefully, he will heal soon. PS for more than one hour, I observed three people who work on the information/passes desk. They have no sympathy for sick patients or their relatives and are disorganized. At times they will group to contradict other visitors and patients, and it seems they are enjoying this “go away” game and not just with me. However, my impression is that the doctors who work here are very professional and kind. The Bellevue hospital leadership should have engaged with some reforms and better training for its administrative staff. Maybe even better salary for information/passes desk attendants because, after all, they are the first representation of the reputation of this biggest NYC hospital. Also, I think the administration should respond to complaints on the hospital’s Google maps profile with bad ratings; so far, I don’t see any; it looks like they just...

After months of neglect I finally got a appointment with pain management I got there hour early and when time I was to have my appointment (10am) I had to wait another one and a half hours...when my name was called I got right to the point about that I NEED my prescription and they claimed it was too strong for me (Tramadol) but I being taking it for 5 year plus,along with prescription of Lidocaine patches ... I have been suffering and loosing alot of work from my job..I'm in to much pain to get up to go.. with the combination of both I am up and active going straight to work... I don't care how I feel when I get home from work but at work functional infront of my boss.. I use sharp power tools so I can't be drowsy..I like to come home with all my fingers.. the last tune I was at pain management. I "had" 5 refills I was unaware of they did not tell me so I couldn't get them.. they told me cold and blank "we are not here to help you feel better but to manage your care! I knew I be destroyed... how many excuses can I tell my boss? How many assigned jobs did I have to let go... then i had caught a respiratory infection and I was down for the count.. I went to Mount Sinai west and they treated me... they did more for me in 5 hours then Bellevue has done for me in 3 years... once because of the bus I arrived only exactly one minute late and they canceled my appointment and rescheduled a appointment 4 month from that day... I was in such terrible pain, I'm 66 years old many things are difficult for me bit if I have the right prescription help I can be a function in society... I am on disability I'm not supposed to work but I work to pat the bills my small SSI check doesn't... I am presently in eviction court ...this is what pain management has done to me.. turned my life around to hardship and more early day and night pain... I can't get no damn help from them.. claiming this and that..if I'm able to win with the prescription I was on why cut me? I am appealing with my health insurance to find out if they cover me or not.. they say I can pay out of pocket with my OTC card... fine whatever it takes for me to sa ve my home my cat my existence....can I have a life or a small chance to get a foot hold? I need my prescriptions for a chance...I can't take anymore of this agony and pain Not for nothing when I had Pulmonary embolism the doctors in the Emergency room saved my life.... I am fortunate and...