Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital — Local services in Conroe

I have had several instances in which I have received care from this hospital. First, I had my daughter in August 2018 in which we had a routine C-section. The facility was very nice, modern, and clean. The labor and delivery department was very attentive to my needs, managed my pain very well, assisted us with our daughter anytime we requested assistance. They work in tandem with Texas children’s pediatricians as to provide care to the newborns and we were very satisfied with our overall care and stay at the hospital.

My next visit was in May 2019, I was experiencing severe Back pain to the point that I could not stand, sit or even lay down without being in severe pain. We entered the ER around 9 PM and they triaged right away. Obviously what I was dealing with was non-life-threatening and so I did wait for an hour or so in the waiting room before being taken back to wait in an ER room and to incur further testing. Turns out I had pancreatitis and needed my gallbladder removed in which they did admit me that night shortly after 1 am. Next day I was seen by two physicians, one was the attending physician, he was informative and recommended removal and the second was a specialist/surgeon. He did not mandate or recommend removal with the same vigor as the attending but did indicate there being significant probability of return visits being necessitated in the future to which I opted to then remove. He then scheduled me to have my gallbladder removed the following day, Saturday morning. They would manage my pain fairly adequately although unlike when I had my C-section they did not phase me out on the pain meds and had me on the good stuff up until discharge on Sunday afternoon. This would be my only complaint from this visit as I did go home with significantly more pain and less management ability than I did after having a major abdominal surgery a year prior.

Lastly, I made a standard ER visit after incurring some chest pain in the mid day/afternoon. They did obviously immediately triage as they do anytime somebody has chest pain and I did wait in the waiting room for an hour and a half prior to them moving me to an ER room for further testing and observation. After a full workup they determined that I was in no immediate threat and likely just incurring some form of gastrointestinal issue that was causing the pain and advised for me to follow up with a Gastroenterologist within the week especially given my recent gallbladder removal.

I have never incurred an experience in any of my visits in which staff was rude, or unkind. And when reading reviews I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t remind those who go to an ER to remember that they triage based on the level of severity and while you can see others being taken back before you, you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, you don’t know the number of beds available, and to remember that one should limit why they go to an ER and go in knowing that patience is necessary if what you’re incurring is non-life-threatening.

As for the billing process, I’ve had better but I have also certainly had worse experiences. They were communicative, definitely willing to make some concessions on the billing when paid in full, however perhaps they could be a bit more deep in their discounts. To merely offer a 10% discount for payment in full for many people is not justification enough to come out of pocket lump sum and it’s something that I typically have been able to acquire a significantly greater percentage 20%-50% through other Medical facilities like Memorial Hermann.

I already have my next C-section scheduled with them in mid September 2020 and I highly recommend this facility and just remind everyone to have a measured expectation when going into any medical facility, you are not their only patient especially with COVID being so...

Was not pleased with the care I received. Upon entering the ER, you can tell I'm in excruciating pain, they made me wait I'm the waiting area for an hour. Said they didn't have any beds in the ER due to overwhelming patient intake, ok that's not the issue and that's understandable. Patients waiting in hallways and HIPPA is thrown out the window at this point as I can tell you the reason for everyone's visit that came in went on my area. I can even tell you their names. So I'm sure they all know my business. Anyways, I was admitted and since they had no beds, which we all know that's fancy wording for understaffed, which is hospitals fault for firing 50% or more of their staff due to not getting the jab, I was put in a room in the ER that was like a dungeon except it had windows at the very top that let in all the lights at night including the ambulance lights. It was like noon in the dead of night. Once there I was hooked up to machines which again is expected, but I couldn't go to the bathroom without help. After waiting an hour for help, I gave up and unhooked myself from everything and went. Machines at this point going off, but no one is paying attention, who would have known why those machines surwe going off, I could have been dying. But at last another hour later someone finally decided to check on me. Asked for pain meds and seemed to have a different nurse everytime I blinked and none knew anything about me. There were a couple who had major attitude with me as if it were my fault they were pulled from a different unit. Best part, only saw 1 doctor the entire time in the ER 1 time! And didn't even see my surgeon until 15 mins prior to surgery. Didn't even know what they were going to do until then. I was there from 10 am on Wednesday and was discharged at 9:30 PM after emergency abdominal surgery, On Thursday. Which I feel was premature due to them "Not having beds". Was told they were going to keep me overnight again buy one nurse, then she disappeared and another nurse came said umm no you're going home, and rushed me out of the damn place an hour after waking up from major abdominal surgery. 10/10 would NOT recommend this place for emergency care! They are violating all kinds of HIPPA and privacy laws. I even asked every nurse that came in, even the Chaplin that came in that if they were being treated this way, what would you do in my shoes? None had nothing to say except were just so sorry staffed, yes understandable to be overwhelmed, but don't take it out on your patients, treat others how you want to be treated. Don't roll your eyes because someone is in need, saw it several times Wednesday, while in the hallway. And even with me. Disgusted!

UPDATED REVIEW: I was actually admitted into the hospital from a freestanding ER a week post -op. Once I was upstairs in a room, they were the best nurses and CNAs. Have to give a shout out to the CNAs, they get lost in praises sometimes. Both of my nurses and the staff, down to the housekeeper were the sweetest. They actually communicated with me and shared laughs with me. My night nurse helped bath me, which was just wipes, but it helped me feel better. She was so sweet! They all told me what antibiotics I was receiving and why. I had to receive IV antibiotics due to an infection of my gallbladder removal site on the inside. They treated me like a human, unlike the ER downstairs. I mean no expects red carpet treatment when going to the ER, but we do expect human decency.

Moral of this: AVOID EMERGENCY ROOM! but if you're admitted and you're lucky enough to get a room, you'll actually be treated nicely upstairs. Or at least on the 5th...

UPDATE

This hospital intentionally had all of my records wiped clean. Yes, I gave birth in the hospital and this hospital wiped all the records, completely clean as if I never gave birth simply because of their medical negligence on me! I am healthy as all get out. I have always been healthy. I've never lived in hospitals. I've always been healthy, but they messed me up and they knew it and they hid it!! Yes I was trying to get Lawfirm to take on the case and when I finally found an attorney (talked to 40+ law firms!!). I couldn't afford the retainer to go against them. All hospitals have a two year turnaround within the state of Texas before your case doesn't exist anymore. And also sidenote, unless you are paralyzed or dead pretty much, no Lawfirm will take on a hospital so watch your Ps and Qs and do not trust this hospital with anything near your spine. I am still living with the effects of what they did to me to where I lose hearing because I still have a spinal fluid leak.

Dr. Javier Pena and Dr. Balivian, anesthesiologists & Methodist Hospital almost killed my daughter and I in July 2022 giving birth, ultimately they hid medical records from me with no hospital bills charged because of their negligence.

Dr. Peña gave me a spinal block at first despite him arguing it was an epidural with nurse Stacy Underwood, go figure 2 1/2 hours later I needed an actual epidural because he never did give me one. He inserted the needle, had to pull it out and stated that "he didn't do it right". Here comes the third needle, and which this time he overdosed me. Dr. Javier Pena almost killed my daughter and I. They brought me back using some type drug & Dr. Javier Pena caused my severe spinal fluid leaking that I was not aware of yet. A second doctor, Dr. Balivian, the following afternoon gave me my first blood patch of 10mL and instructed me to walk around the hospital within 10 minutes. Per medical review boards after having to research this year for myself, no patient is to walk around after a blood patch for at least one hour later. I followed instructions from Dr. Balivian, which ultimately led me to have even more severe spinal fluid leaking. I left the hospital the following afternoon because I thought maybe if I was home, I would be more relaxed after giving birth & the traumas of what happened of giving birth from this "medical team". It was less than 12 hours later I am being rushed back to the ER room to see Dr. Rebecca Murray because I lost all complete hearing, I could not hold my head up at all. I was losing a significant amount of spinal fluid, where she gave me my second blood patch at 20mL.

Again, Methodist Hospital. The Woodlands has wiped all records have any wrongdoing, nor have I received a medical bill.

Because the State of Texas is a doctor right state, the only grounds that I have for lawsuit will be a discovery lawsuit in order to retrieve my medical records.

Ladies, please be aware that there are other options and epidurals in case you ever have incompetent doctors like who I had (in exception of Dr. Murray).

Each of these doctors are hired out as a contractor with US anesthesiology out of...