West Chester Hospital — Attraction in West Chester Township

This review is for the ER. This is the second time in 18 months I've gone to this ER for the same issue (my family physician sent me there each time). The first time was a typical 5-hour experience, but they helped me by performing a simple procedure. This time, it was an 8+ hour nightmare. It was 2:00 on a weekday, but the ER was crowded. The wheelchairs were all taken (first clue), but my husband helped me to the check-in. I heard the desk guy begging a nurse for rooms for 2 patients with chest pain--one had open heart surgery, the other was on nitro at home. The nurse said 'there are no rooms yet.' We should have gone elsewhere, but I was very sick, weak and in a lot of pain. We sat (there's no place to lie down or recline). It was freezing, the chairs were dirty, the support in them breaking down, one of only two bathrooms was out of order, someone was vomiting into a bag, kids were crying, and some people were wearing masks. After 20 mins I was called back, they took my vitals, said nothing to eat or drink, and sent me back out! An hour later they called me back, took blood and sent me back out again! After 3 hours, my husband approached the desk, told them that everyone who had arrived before us had been taken back plus several others who arrived after us. The desk guy said they 'take people back based upon urgency.' My husband pointed out someone who arrived an hour after us and had gone outside 4 times to smoke and stand around laughing, had already been taken back. The guy said we'd 'have to wait our turn.' Husband calmly said 'But we've been here over 3 hours and my wife is really in pain--when is it our turn?' The guy raised his voice and said, "SIR, DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL SECURITY?" (!) My mild-mannered husband responded, 'All I'm saying is you seem to be taking ambulatory patients through one door and wheelchair patients through another. My wife is really sick--maybe you could put her on the wheelchair list, since she can barely walk' and he walked away. It was very upsetting. About 20 minutes later they took me back. The nurse was nice enough and tried to make me comfortable on the gurney, then set an IV. When Dr. David Thompson finally arrived he seemed aloof and uncaring. He briefly checked me out and didn't seem to listen to what I told him about this being a repeat issue and what they'd done before that helped. He insisted on a CT scan with contrast, again, despite my telling him I'd had one the first time, which was normal. I was too weak to argue. An hour later they took me for the scan. It took 2 hours to get the results--negative. The nurse said they'd need a urine sample--really? I hadn't had any fluids for 8 hours and was already dehydrated because of my illness! He was stunned to see they hadn't hooked any fluids up to my IV, despite telling them I was dehydrated. I managed a very small sample. More waiting. The doctor came back and said he wasn't going to do the procedure they had done before (which had helped immediately), but instead send me home with a prescription med that would get the same result EVENTUALLY. I told him I couldn't keep anything down, but to no avail. I think it was too inconvenient to do the procedure--much easier to send me packing with a prescription. So 8 1/2 hours of hell, then 3 more days waiting for the prescription to work (took that long to keep enough medication down). I followed up with my doctor who seemed stunned that I was not prescribed an antibiotic for the infection that showed up in the blood test & CT scan, and that they hadn't addressed the dehydration that the urine test indicated. I got a $6,000 bill for the ER, the useless CT scan, and the physician's bill. As I was taken to a room, my husband had asked the woman why the place was so packed. She said it was always that way lately--they were supposed to build an entire new wing for the ER, but it never happened. She thought is was because of money. I don't know if that's accurate, but I know we will never go to UC West...

Nahma is not only a wonderful nurse — she is a beautiful human being. From the moment she began caring for me, I felt kindness, compassion, and respect in every interaction. Under her care, I didn’t feel like just another patient; I felt like family. She was genuinely concerned about my well-being throughout my hospital stay. She celebrated my progress, cheering me on when I met a goal, and always made me feel seen and supported. Nahma embodies everything a nurse should be: someone who puts the patient first and treats each person with dignity and humanity. I can honestly say that she is the definition of a nurse. Her presence made a difficult time easier, and I will always be grateful for the care she gave me. ————— I had the pleasure of being cared for at the hospital recently, and while I wasn’t assigned to Nurse Jetty, she made a lasting impression on me. Jetty is the embodiment of professionalism and compassion. She consistently went above and beyond—checking in on me even though I wasn’t her patient, always with a warm smile and a kind word. Her willingness to help, no matter how busy she was, never went unnoticed. Jetty has a wonderful sense of humor that brought light to some otherwise difficult days, and she was always prompt whenever I needed assistance. It’s rare to find someone so genuinely caring and dedicated in their role. The hospital is incredibly lucky to have her on staff. Thank you, Nurse Jetty, for making a difference. You truly are a gem. ————- During my stay at the hospital, Nurse Oliva stood out as an exceptional caregiver. Her deep sense of concern and compassion was evident in every interaction. What amazed me most was her attentiveness—every time I pressed the call light, she was already at the door, ready to help before I could even ask. Oliva’s empathy was extraordinary. She didn’t just treat symptoms; she truly understood what I was going through and made me feel seen and supported. Her presence brought comfort and reassurance during a difficult time, and I’m incredibly grateful for her care. Nurse Oliva is a shining example of what nursing should be. Thank you for your kindness and dedication. ————-

I want to express my deep appreciation for Nurse Derick, whose care and dedication made a significant impact during my hospital stay. As a male nurse, Derick never hesitated to step in during moments of urgency—whether I had an accident or needed immediate attention, he was there without question or delay. There were times when the PCA wasn’t available, and Derick took it upon himself to handle everything personally. From changing me to checking vitals and administering medications, he did it all with professionalism, compassion, and dignity. What meant the most was how he treated me—with the same care and respect as if I were family. Derick’s presence brought comfort and reassurance, and I’m truly grateful for the way he showed up for me. He exemplifies what nursing is all about.

—————— I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible team of Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) who went above and beyond during my hospital stay. Each one brought something special to my care, and their dedication truly made a difference. Terrance was caring, eager, kind, and loving. He never hesitated to care for me alone when help wasn’t available, and his confidence and compassion were deeply reassuring. Clarence was consistently attentive, kind, and thoughtful—always making sure I was comfortable and cared for. Natalie brought a lightness to the room with her humor, while still being incredibly caring and attentive. Her energy was uplifting and comforting. Sasha had the most mothering personality—gentle, kind, and nurturing in every way. Her presence felt like a warm embrace during difficult moments. These PCAs were nothing short of amazing. Their kindness, empathy, and commitment to pursuing careers in nursing are truly inspiring. I’m grateful for each of them and the care they provided...

My rating is ZERO stars but there is no option for it.

My 18yr old son abruptly left our peaceful family Thanksgiving and 2 hours later he made phone calls to his family members on Thanksgiving to say he loved us all and goodbye. Needless to say, I as his mother got in my car and began the 25-minute drive to his apt. Meanwhile, I called 911 for an emergency well check knowing that they would get to him quicker than I. Two officers were present upon our arrival. We could see him lying on his bed, unresponsive. I busted thru the sliding glass door, entered his bedroom and witnessed his chest raising dramatically raising & struggling to breath. We pulled him off the bed onto the floor. My sister asked the officers if they had Narcan, the answer was "NO". She is a professional recue trainer & asked police if she could intervene. They granted her permission. She brought him back 3 times prior to ambulance arriving to apt. My son looked at her and said, "Please let me die", and she said, "Not today buddy, not today". EMT took over and he fought 5 EMTs, 4 police officers, he begged & screamed for them to let him die. Needless to say, he had to be restrained for everyone's safety and brought him to UC West Chester around 7:45 pm on thanksgiving evening. We were told he was placed on a mandatory 72-hour suicide watch. Upon my arrival to hospital, I stood behind an elderly man at the front desk. The front desk staff behaved hard hearted toward this elderly man thru their tone of voice as well as actions. Witnessing this did not offer any comfort that it was going to be different for me, and they did not disappoint to do so. Their faces spoke "Do Not Bother Us". I could have sat there all night without them providing any update on my son or if he will see visitors. I decided to go home and called the on-duty nurse to provide him all my contact info. The nurse was kind and demonstrated empathy. Fast forward to the next morning around 9:00 am. The psychiatrist contacted me to obtain the details of this event and to rule it as a full-blown suicide attempt or as ideology. Long story short, he said that it certainly meets the criteria to admit him & that they would contact me to give an update. I never received a phone call from him. My son called and said that they were discharging him but not sure what time. So, I immediately drove to the hospital. Upon entering the hospital parking lot, I received a call from a hospital rep saying that he is being released and then I looked up to find he was already setting on a bench outside the ER doors. What happened to the 72-hour observation? Why did they prematurely release him? Those 72 hours are needed to transition from this horrible experience. What changed the mind of the psychiatrist to admit him into a behavioral facility? I find this hospital to be profusely negligent, grossly in the deficit of empathy, and deliberately absent of concern for patients, not only from my experience but from experiences that others have shared with me. One must question, why did they release an 18-year-old suicide patient less than 16 hours from the time he was admitted into hospital? I am a reasonable person and welcome reasonable explanations, not excuses. I hope this information will assist some or many of you when it comes to choosing what hospital to care for your loved one(s). I hope UC receives this message and is able to make the necessary changes to provide good / effective care & communication to their patients as well as those that love them. The big sign posted in lobby that addresses no tolerance for aggression says it all. Systemic behavior begins at the top and rolls downhill. This is a call to management to take FULL responsibility for the actions of their staff and make changes. My son told me that the police presence in the back is obscene. Take a hint UC. The big sign UC posted says it all.....Their environment...