St. Anne Hospital — Local services in Burien

I was sick in April and had to get an ambulance via the airport as they stated that Highline is the closest hospital to where I was. I was transported through a stretcher into the ambulance and the ride was not even 10 minutes before we reached Highline Medical Centre. I had a very personal illness but every single paramedic and staff member I was in contact with was very sympathetic and respectful towards me. My nurse was on break so a colleague of hers had taken me into the room and admitted me. There was quite a bit of consent forms and paperwork to fill out and sign but they assured me I did not have to rush and gave me time. Meanwhile, the same nurse assisted with my assessment and vital signs adequately (I know as I am a health care professional as well). There was never any judgement or feelings of discomfort from my end. Then a few minutes later, my primary nurse had come in and introduced herself to me and was very compassionate and friendly. She made me feel like I was her daughter and even guided me through the experience as she knew I was not a U.S. citizen (I am Canadian). She was very professional and got my IV in on the first attempt as I needed some IV fluids. She ensured me she would let the doctor know of my symptoms and have them addressed as soon as possible. She spent a few extra minutes speaking with me respectfully. Next, probably within half an hour, my ER doctor came in and spoke with me briefly before giving orders for medications. I got my meds in a timely manner. The nurse came and checked on me in a timely manner and also reassessed me in a timely manner. I was also helped by a care aide when I had rung the bell. Everyone seemed very professional; not at all annoyed or angry when I needed to ask for help or assistance. What I was MOST impressed about, that we do not provide enough of in our healthcare I find, was the AMOUNT of resources they had ready for me during my discharge. It seemed like they went above and beyond to print out all the resources I would need regarding my medical condition and medications I were prescribed. Frankly, we do not do that in our hospitals unless requested by the patient and even so, it would not be to the above and beyond that I felt they provided. This is what I loved about my experience, as it proved vital for my insurance coverage later (The out of province ambulance bill was $900 and the 4 hour hospital stay with medications/treatments/tests needed were $3000). Which were pretty much all covered afterwards when I submitted the paperwork months later. However, being in healthcare myself, I understand that many staffs in hospitals are overworked and understaffed. They did tell me after my medications, blood test and IV fluids that there was not much else they could do for me and that I would be discharged. I know that in Canada, we would likely be doing the same as them and that not all sick people can stay forever or as long as they want or else nobody else would get treatment. I know my nurse was empathetic when I had asked if I could stay a few hours later but she told me that I was discharged. As I headed out with my paperwork and prescription, I saw a long long line of people in the waiting area and had understood fully what she meant by how many people were waiting outside. Overall, I had a very pleasant experience at this hospital and although, I can't speak to the others in the reviews, this was my experience and I am very grateful for my hospital stay at Highline medical center and all of the staffs’ hard work. It is a tough job but many people don’t see it as they only see one side of the situation, not the other when the nurse is dealing with a staffing shortage, a higher than normal (unsafe) staff to patient ratio, dealing with life threatening conditions all while having a visitor shouting at them about how long they have been waiting and as well as an unstable, violent patient on hand.. it is endless. Next time, you are at a hospital or medical center, try thinking of what type of day the staff might have...

I could write a review twenty pages long, based on my experiences with this hospital for several decades. Since no one would read a review that long, I will just address two things that are symptomatic of why this hospital is mediocre (not particular worse than other hospitals) and why there is no hope that anything will ever change.

I’m going to an appointment on the second floor of the newer building, the one closest to Sylvester Middle School. I go to the entrance nearest the parking structure, and the door says, Staff Only. Okay, so I go to the main entrance of the building, knowing there is a door that leads to the hallway to take me to the stairs I could see through the glass do that said do not enter. There is a reception desk there. The two people at the desk are studiously ignoring me. They have to know I am there, but they refuse to make eye contact or acknowledge me. So, I go to try the door, and suddenly the woman behind the desk is able to see me. She tells me the door is locked. I tell her I need to go to the office on the second floor. She tells me I have to go all the way out of the building at the far end, to a weird connecting breezeway, and take the elevator to the second floor. Then I can get to the office where my appointment is. I don’t have to go through any locked doors. From that point, when I am done with my appointment, I am free to exit through either of the two doors that were locked to prevent me from coming in. The space that is locked off, preventing easy access, is completely open to the public if you simply go around, out of the building and back in from the other side. The only way to get to an office on the second floor is a path ten times longer than necessary, and this system of roadblocks does not create any security or control for the staff. It’s just stupid, and I know that complaining about it here, or anywhere, will do nothing to change this stupid system. That, in a nutshell, is what is wrong with this hospital, and hospitals in general. If something is obviously wrong and stupid, no one in the entire system has any power to make a simple change.

One other brief example of the problems at this hospital: the building was obviously designed to bring in nature and to take advantage of the really spectacular views from some of the rooms. The blinds are always closed. Seeing nature, even through a window, is scientifically proven to improve performance of office workers and to improve people’s health. They deliberately close the blinds everywhere in the hospital and make it look very depressing.

I hate this place. It is partially my own fault that I would ever need to go there, so I am to blame, as well. I could have made better choices. I hope you never have to go to this hospital or any hospital. Stay healthy. Don’t let them get you into their system.

One plus that prevents this place from being rated as one star: they have nice artwork in places. I might go there just to look at the paintings and...

I was brought in this March by ambulance and it was terrible from the start to be honest. The ER nurse was very kind but the rest of the doctors were not as kind. Some were very judgemental about medications I was taking and about some medical things I had tried for my extreme depression and anxiety after 20 plus medications have not worked. The ER doctor that came in and checked my stomach poked me extremely hard in the belly which caused me to literally jump up off the table. 6+ hours later I was quickly told I needed emergency surgery for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. I was not allowed to have anyone with me which I somewhat understand. They did not call my husband or even call him back when he called even though he is my EMERGENCY CONTACT! He had no idea what was going on the entire time and that I almost died until I finally was able to call him from my watch. I was in so much pain and couldn't even move. After my surgery where I lost not only our baby but a fallopian tube, I was brought to the maternal ward where if you DO have a baby you can have a visitor, but if you lose your first baby and you are beyond upset and all you want us your husband with you, you cannot have him. They didn't even call him to tell him I was out of surgery or that I'd lost half my blood but was better. They told me at the time they were going to do a blood transfusion because I lost a quart of blood but did not. They gave me iron instead. Two days later I almost lost my life again and had to be rushed to the hospital again and given a blood transfusion. Again I was sent to the maternal ward and could not have my husband. One of the nurses who brought me to my room the second time brought me to the wrong area and told the other nurse he had never brought a patient to the maternal ward without a baby...it literally broke my heart more than it already was. Then my maternity nurse asked me where my husband was and said sorry she forgot I couldn't have anyone with me at my LOWEST point. As I was finally being discharged the doctor scolded me that next time I needed to come in before I was 6 weeks pregnant as if I knew. I had taken a test 2 weeks before I found out and 2 weeks before that and they were negative. I was supposed to go in the day I went to the hospital initially to find out if I was really pregnant and get checked up but then I fainted and was brought in. She also passive-aggressively told me to stop taking my anxiety meds by writing it in my paperwork. She does not know anything about me or the struggles I face DAILY, H9URLY, MINUTELY. Their bedside manner in the ER is terrible! But in the maternity ward it was better. I only went back the second time because they did my surgery the first time. I will try Valley in the future if I ever need...