Nicklaus Children's Hospital Main Hospital Campus — Local services in Coral Gables

The only care our daughter received was Tylenol and ibuprofen every 3h for the first 12h there. At 3am nurse was called to check her temp, it was 99.6. I shared my concerns and explained she felt hotter than that and requested to be proactive about It to avoid another seizure. The nurse said she would be back In 15mns to check again, my daughter started her third seizure less than a minute after the nurse left the room. We were not given any preventive care such as a cold compress until the next morning by the amazing day nurse Scarlet. It helped bring down her temperature from 99.6 around 12pm that day, to 98.7, with no medication administration or seizure. Throughout the day our daughter was doing much better, but because she now had 3 seizures within 24h she needed an EEG. The doctors agreed it was most likely a virus and allowed us to go back home that night as her EEG results were normal. About an hour later, when the night team came in, the doctor informed us lab results came out positive for a very bad kind of bacteria, that could include meningitis. She explained that although it could be a contaminant given how our daughter was doing better clinically, the night team agreed we should take a second blood culture and do a lumbar puncture to find out which bacteria it is exactly. We were not comfortable at all with such procedure and thought it was precipitated as we weren't sure yet if the lab results were accurate or contaminated. The doctor went out and called the senior doctor to talk to us. She explained that if we were to decline the LP then they would have to assume It Is meningitis and would keep us at the hospital for 21days and give our daughter the highest dose of antibiotics. We explained to the doctor we were not comfortable with any fluid being taken out of her spine as she was only 20months old. We Asked the doctor If we could give her antibiotics until the second blood culture comes out, and then go from there. Again, we were told that if we were to decline the procedure, it would be an automatic 21day admission/treatment. We were so afraid and did not want to risk our daughter's health so we asked how experienced and comfortable they are with the procedure. The senior doctor assured us she has done it many times and it was a basic procedure with minor side effects such as headache or back pain. We explained we did not want any training done with our daughter during that procedure, she assured she would be the one doing it, with the younger doctor and nurse assisting. She also added that our daughter would be administered benadryl along with another medication, to help her stay calm and drowsy. However, daughter was fully awake and active when they entered the room to start the procedure. We were informed we could not stay in the room. When asked why, the senior doctor explained the room would need to be sanitized and sterilized. We asked to watch from outside, through the door blinds and assured them we would not Interrupt. The senior doctor kept repeating it's standard protocol to go to the waiting room but when she saw we weren't going anywhere she finally gave the ok but very frustrated. While watching through the blinds, we notice that the room isn't getting cleaned/sterilized or sanitized. All 3 providers put on gloves and gowns Inside the room. To our surprise, the senior doctor, along with the nurse, were holding down daughter, while the younger doctor was doing the procedure. We were able to see and hear the senior doctor use one of her hands to give instructions to the doctor doing the procedure, on which tool to use and how to use it. Procedure was unsuccessful after sticking her 8times. They put her on antibiotics as we had originally asked. Next morning the lab results showed it had been contaminated and she didn't have any bacteria in her blood. It feels like they will use patients to push some unnecessary procedures to train their new doctors. Also be ready to find needles, IVs etc left on the floor your kid will be walking on. Patient/public relations email...

It’s sad that this South Florida landmark has fallen from its grace. The only pediatric hospital in South Florida and it has come down to this.

We took my 14 month son yesterday to the Nicklaus West Kendall Urgent Care at about 10:30a due to inconsistent chronic pain in his abdominal region. He was seen by a UC doctor at about 1:00p-1:15p. At which point, she checked out his ears and throat and said everything was normal. However, since she wanted to rule out intussusception; she gave us paperwork to go to Nicklaus Children’s (in South Miami). Since we had the paperwork from the UC, we were moved into an ER room rather quickly; upon 15-20 minutes from arriving. We arrived at the hospital at about 2:00-2:30p. From there on in, it was the absolute worst patient care I have seen.

Our nurse would come to check up on my son every 45 minutes to hour and a half. There were multiple nursing stations but oddly enough all the nurses were congregated at the nursing station in the middle of the ER area/rooms. Somewhere between 4:00p-5:00p, he was taken to get a CT Scan to rule out intussusception.

From about the time of arrival (2:30p) to departure (9:45p-10:00p), we saw a female doctor 3x and a male doctor in training twice. The first time we saw the male doctor, he looked in my sons throat and said that it was irritated and red; which was possibly the reason why he was not eating. Since it appeared that he was in the process of receiving a fever, it was decided to place him on IVs; while the results of the CT Scan came in. The LPN that was helping out the nurse was the only one who offered us Teddy Grahams, Apple Juice, and a popsicle.

At 7:00p, when the nurse change occurred our nurse never said she was leaving. The new nurse came in somewhere at 8:00p to change my sons IV fluid bag. The IV bag had depleted and the noise went on for more than 45 minutes. But, obviously how can it have been heard since all the nurses were located further away from our room and appeared to be having a great time.

My son went through either the glucose or the fluid bag and when another nurse came back to check, she told us that he had taken 153 out of 230. At this point, I was beyond irritated since bags/items were being changed, and there was just a lack of communication from the staff. I informed the new nurse that I needed to speak to the doctor since we had been there most of the day. At about 15 minutes after I became upset, BOTH doctors showed up. The male doctor said that my son “appeared in higher spirits” and “had good color.” We left at approximately 9:45p.

To NCH Leadership and administration; I know that proposing roles like “Staff Relief” and “Per Diem” roles are cost efficient for the company. Going the cheaper route is not necessarily what is in best interest for a company. It is sad that these same individuals you hired have the NCH logo on their scrubs and have poor patient care. I tried to think that I might have been the one overreacting but walking out of the hospital and looking at all the nursing stations being rather empty made me think. It can be said that they were assisting patients. But strangely enough, every patient I saw had a disgruntled looked. To add salt to the wound, we did not receive a call today to see how my son was feeling.

Since the early 2000, the Nursing degree has been one of the most competitive programs to get into. Sad, that a hospital that has been around since the 1940s has become what it is today. Very Shameful.

Please do not ask me to email and/or contact your Public Relations Department. My issue is not with that department; it is with the ER department. I will not contact them or any department within NCH. If you want my input; there was a lack of communication/accountability from the staff, hire more individuals that want to work and involuntarily have your Code of Ethics instilled in them, and stop promoting individuals in administration roles that deplete needed funds all for the sole purpose of “wanting more responsibilities” and wanting...

We've had only good experiences at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. I feel like Nicklaus and Memorial Hospitals are both top notch hospitals with excellent customer service all around. The staff knows how to take care of everyone. At least this has been our personal experience with both hospitals.

My son's endocrinologist, Dr. Diaz is associated with Nicklaus Children's Hospital. We came here the first time for a Growth Stimulation Test several months back. They were very efficient and organized. We parked in the Green Parking Garage which leads you straight to the area on the first floor to check in at the desk.

We approached the main check in desk upon entrance from the parking garage elevator. They guide you to Patient Access around the corner for registration and to complete any paperwork. Once that is done, insurance info confirmed, payments processed, they inform you to go to designated area.

We went upstairs to the infusion area where the staff was absolutely wonderful in taking care of my son. He got a room and they offered Xbox games for him to play. Apparently, all the rooms on this floor has Xbox games per bed. This was a generous donation to the hospital. What a wonderful gift for the kids.

The growth stimulation testing took several hours but my kids was a trooper. The young lady taking care of him was seriously THE BEST. I thought I wrote down her name but alas, I did not. I'm sure they can locate who exactly took care of us with the patient info. Anyway, she was so patient, friendly and kind to my son. What every parent wants to see, especially when you're in a hospital environment and kids may be nervous as is.

We came back again recently to get an MRI, as requested by the specialist. Same check in process except our appt was later in the afternoon at 6:30pm and it was so quiet and peaceful here during this time. Not chaotic at all. Like nobody here. The young lady who helped us register was very nice, even offered my son stickers when we were done.

Then we went to the radiology dept where a nice man helped us prep for the MRI. Eventually, another young man who was the MRI technician, Alex, guided us to where they were going to take photos of the brain. Sounds scary and looks a bit intimidating but Alex helped ease any discomfort. He was great making my kid comfortable and very patient. The MRI took about 45 minutes and they have to be very still. I was able to sit in the same room with ear muffs, the MRI process is very loud and again, intimidating. My kid moved a little in the beginning and we thought we would have to come back but he eventually eased up and fell asleep during the process. Ha. Worked out nicely. Alex had left and another gentleman helped us finish up.

All in all, they really do take such wonderful care of the families here! Beautiful and super...