Duke Medicine Pavilion — Local services in Durham

It’s a little confusing getting around here because the medical pavilion is so big and has several buildings. If you end up in the wrong building, sometimes the staff aren’t helpful getting you around. I’ve spoken to kind, helpful attendants and information desk and I’ve also had some be very rude and unhelpful. So it depends who you talk to or you might end up walking around a lot. Give yourself extra time if it’s your first time coming and you’re it as familiar with this location. It’s huge. Also, parking is never free. Valet is convenient if you’re running late but it’s $12 and there’s often a wait. We prefer to park ourselves in the garage. There’s plenty of parking and we’ve always found a convenient spot. The garage charges $2 per hour. Getting around this campus is a lot of walking so if you have a condition that prevents that, I recommend the valet. There’s a different valet station for each building which can also get confusing if you pick the wrong one and then it takes more time to get to the right one. Just plan more time for this. The buildings and the hospital are full of every speciality you need plus the hospital for all the hospital services. These are the best docs in town. I travel to Duke an hour and half for better medical care because my town doesn’t have it. It’s worth the drive. Usually I spend a whole day here when I drive out and may see several specialists in a day or get multiple tests done. They can handle it all in one place. Parking and getting around are the only pain but now that I’ve been here a few times I know how to plan and what to expect. If you give yourself extra time you’ll get to your appointments on time. The docs I’ve seen here all spend time with their patients so that means sometimes they run behind but when I get my turn they spend a good amount of time with me too. Most of the time though, they keep you informed and try to stay on time. I know if they aren’t that’s because they are taking the time they need with another patient and I will get my time when it’s my turn. They won’t rush me out and they’re very capable doctors who have a good bedside manner even though they’re so well trained. Duke is the best medicine in northern North Carolina. That’s why people come from all over. They offer procedures here you can find elsewhere and docs who know...

Extremely good lvad and cardiac surgery departments. I can compare with another hospital in another state, Duke is in the future already. I am not going to write a lot because it will be hard to put all the great things I want to say. Will put it very simply, if you are in its range and you need lvad or cardiac surgery, or just having hearth issues go and check Duke. They will take good care of you and they will help and guide your care giver incredibly well. I am really sorry if you are reading this comment because an emergency happened to someone you love, I hope everything goes well for you. Duke helped my husband to come back home and helped us cope with all. Whatever I write will not be enough to show how grateful I am that we were close to Duke in a very critical moment.

I loved that sometimes people play the piano in the lobby. Leaving my husband's room, when he was still in critical condition, my head was spinning, thousands of thoughts at the same time, and I still remember the calming effect of the soft and nice piano music when the elevator reached the lobby. I wish all hospitals in the world to be like Duke.

Edit, because I read someone commented on this: Every time my husband was in surgery , they were contacting me on my phone to confirm the number and to inform me that they are about to start. During surgery, they called every two hours with updates, got text messages too. When a doctor completed a task and passed the situation to another one, he was updating me personally. I got phone calls if something needs to be approved during surgery. Surgeons personally have called me with super detailed information before procedures to explain what they are about to do, what are the options etc. It might be our luck with a specific team, but rather looks like a protocol. My husband was there mid pandemic, when the restrictions were not so hard (like no visits at all) and only one person was able to visit per day, this was followed strictly and they were checking. More family members might be for someone in a very, very rough state, just guessing because I saw once...

My 1st visit went great. All of the medical staff were quite professional and helpful as my questions were being answered. Very clean, spacious, and safe environment being present with protective shields at check stands, front desk service and general medical staff counters to provide additional protection for their valued associates and patients and visitors. Upon my arrival, I’ve just waited for 10-15 mins to be called on till the radiologist came to me along with the medical assistant sincerely apologizing about sign language interpreter not be able to show up (I presumed it could’ve been an in-person interpreter) and giving me the options to continue on with this appointment or reschedule with the interpreter, given with notice at a reasonable amount of time. To my surprise, I wasn’t certain as if they also were aware about VRI (video remote interpreting) as it should be 24/7 available like at Duke Urgent Care I went a couple months ago. That’s the only issue that should be concerned of, for the sake of effective communication. Overall, it was a pretty good experience especially the walking distance to the garage parking. It will be worthy of my time and attendance for...