Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center — Attraction in Philadelphia

Upon numerous system's issues within the VA you would think they would at least make sure the hospital is clean.

Upon entering the VA today for my husband's MRI appointment, I couldn't help but notice a concerning issue with cleanliness reminiscent of environments I've encountered while working in various prisons.

As I made my way from the front entrance towards the South elevators, an assortment of unidentified odors lingered in the air, accompanied by sticky floors. Exiting the elevators on the 3rd floor, en route to the MRI room, I couldn't ignore the visibly dirty areas where the floors met the walls, some patches appearing significantly worse than others. The hallway leading to the MRI room emitted a strong odor of urine, which was quite disconcerting.

Following the instructions to proceed to the blood draw area, I observed stark discrepancies in cleanliness between different doorways, with some exhibiting noticeable grey and black stains. It was evident that in certain spots, dirt had accumulated and was caked on the floor, due to repeated shoe contacted some of the dirt patches were revealing the original color underneath.

This degradation in cleanliness brought to mind my experiences in prison facilities, where superficially clean front offices gave way to progressively dirtier conditions deeper within the complex.

While waiting in the blood draw area, I noticed evidence of a previous spill that hadn't been adequately cleaned, allowing dirt to accumulate. Concerned, I decided to visit the patient advocate's office. As I traversed back to the first floor towards the cafeteria, I was dismayed to find excessive accumulations of dirt, hair, and dust in corners and along the base of walls. The door frames bore a visible layer of dirt, approximately two inches from the ground.

I understand there are ongoing renovations. However, the residual sticky residue left behind from the baseboards that were removed, coupled with the lack of attention to cleaning, serves as a breeding ground for germs and undermines the hospital's commitment to sanitary conditions. Such neglect not only presents a barrier to quality care but also erodes trust in the hospital's ability to maintain hygienic standards.

Remarkably, upon reaching the south entrance, the cleanliness noticeably improved. Extending all the way and continuing into the patient advocate's office was devoid of any dirt, dust, and hair accumulation.

I truly hope the VA sees the importance of...

THIS IS A REAL POST & NOT A FAKE 5 STAR POSTED BY EMPLOYEES! Worse VA I have ever been at. First one can hardly ever to get someone to answer the phone it just rings & rings & No one will answer the phone! When you finally get someone to answer the phone & they transfer you the extension you want it's "at best a 50% chance" someone actually answer the phone there either. Their follow up appointments that are to happen when the doctor order there is a 95% chance you will ever receive an a notice that it's that time the doctor ordered them to call me because the doctor wants to see me. 50% of the employees are snotty to Very snotty & act like they are doing you a favor when asking them a question but they know they can treat Vets anyway they want because they know it's about impossible to fire them. I even through the years ask doctors why they put up with nasty staff & they all said, do you have any idea how hard it's to fire a VA employee no matter how bad they are! Compared to a VA like Coatesville there is no comparison because that VA treats Vets great & dose all they can do for a Vet & want to do it. Unlike the Philly VA medical center it's like you're bothering them. Plus you can Never personally talk to your doctor there, other than actually going in person to see the doctor there is no emailing them on myheathvet either. There is no messaging them or talking to their nurse, well, that is because "almost" all of them are Penn doctors there over across the street at Penn U you can actually talk to the same doctors. I could go on but it's pointless as this has been going on for 20 years there at the Philly VA hospital & it ain't changing, other then words that go nowhere& do nothing! You can kick a dead horse all day long and it is not getting up, it's dead! Note, don't get me wrong there are some good there too but the bad just over shadows the good after 20...

I've been going to this hospital since 1995, at first it was dirty, but since Bush and Obama made it a promise see to clean the place, the smokers have their own area, the pharmacy has gotten 100 percent better, the doctors and the staff have always been the people who git things done, at first in individual cases, but n the last ten years everything came together, now this is the best VA center there is, the Doctors the best, the staff are as one, for the benefit of the veterans, and the people who work behind the scenes, the cleaners, the cafeteria staff, the resource workers, the most pleasant people who take pride and keep the place running, my thanks, your the best. Here we vets cone first, I have moved from the area and am now in Virginia, but I will take the train to my Doctor's in Phila and Camden, as they listen. Here in Virginia I have called Ft. Belvoir over 100 times and have never got through yet, I'm Staying with Corporal Michael J. Crescents VA Hospital, if anyone can say anything bad it must be because they expect more personal attention then even John Hopkins could give, I came back to Phila once and will never leave these friendly hallways, everyone there is great, the best and in it for the veterans, many are veterans themselves. The silent works work with greatness, never letting a vet feel alone, here we are family. Semper Fi to everyone, and if you happen to be with Kim Willams or others in the Pain Clinic, your in the best of hands. I love this place, remember we're all one large family work for your VA Hospital, we did...