Cooley Dickinson Hospital — Local services in Northampton

To start this whole thing off. I have to tell you, there is a fantastic cast of characters that took care of me while I voluntarily admitted. I did so due to my increased risk to myself. It was one of the most anxiety plagued moments of my life. No one ever wants to ask for help. I was panicking as I walked through the emergency room door. I felt ashamed that I was going there for help.

I had no reason to be. As I learned through my experience in the ED. The nurse gave me a new set of clothes and a new mask. They took inventory of my stuff and placed it in a secure area until I was ready to be moved. The nurse that was tending to me was very kind and understanding as she took my vitals and asked a few 'get to know ya' questions. I was moved to this pod like room. A safe pod with a bed, TV, chalk board, and some paper. After talking with crisis and a few nurses, I was admitted. Without me even mentioning anything, I was brought a meal and was offered water and help. The pod door wasn't locked but it was in a safe area of the hospital, more sound proof than you'd think, I couldn't hear anything outside the room.

Next day comes. They inform me I'm moving up to 5West upstairs. I can't remember his name, I believe it was Khunga. He was a very nice man with a very gentle and easy going manner introduced himself and really made me feel at ease (still in crisis at this point, but the act of kindness was just settling, ya know.) He spoke slowly and easily, while at the same time showing worry for me as I was going through this process. He assured me I was safe and in good hands.

So they set me up in , a two person room with one bed each. One chair. Two pillows and access to extra blankets if needed. They also had quite a bit of storage for clothes and other belongings. The roommate I had, they must have mapped out my whole personality beforehand and found the best roommate fit. He was awesome. The floor allows you too roam freely, access to snacks, drinks, and other amenities within reason. They will lock it up if they notice any excessiveness. All you have to do is ask for someone to let you in. (Absolutely reasonable) They also had an activity room,  access to groups, skills classes, breathing and mediation, laundry was provided or if you want to do your own. (They offer pods.)

When I say groups, I mean literal self help groups in a group setting) They are informative, filled with adapting skills, coping with negative thoughts, how to deal with anger and negative thoughts to name a few. They run  Usually 45min a class. They provide a wide variety of options for exercises including Tai Chi, Tapping, reading, drawing, access to television in common areas, etc. The counselors offer an ear if you need it. Will make suggestions when you ask and help when needed. They have an organized schedule for the day.

I believe my stay truly taught me some coping strategies, a new outlook, and goals such as being in CONSTANT PURSUIT (as Jim says) . Always be in constant pursuit of happiness, bettering yourself, or just about any other positive thing in your life. The only thing I have to say. In order for this to work, you have to want to help yourself, as with any recovery. Strive to be better.

The only reason I'm about to list names is because I find them to be amazing people. True everyday heroes. Jim, Jordan, Joe, Chloe, Beth, Dr Durie, Matthew, Kristie, Chris, Jaime, Dmitri, and all the staff that have names I can't remember. No disrespect intended. This includes a shoutout to janitorial for keeping that place as sanitary and clean as they do. I swear that I woke up every morning thinking they buffed the floors (because they were very shiny, not because of any noise . I slept well)

I was in and out in a week feeling better with a diagnosis of what disorder I have and how to combat it. I did not feel rushed at all. I felt safe, cared for, understood. I recommend you get any help with your needs but if you're in the strange market of "shopping for hospitals," Shop here! The staff is incredible and smart. You can...

I am writing this review because public shaming is the most effective way to get the attention of hospital administrators. I will also note that the care I have had at Cooley has always been exceptional; it's the administrative organization that lets you actually get to that care that has been less than stellar.

In June of 2024 -- yes, one year ago -- I made an appointment for a bone density scan. "We can schedule you in June 2025. That's when we are scheduling," said the person. Okey doke then; it's always good to have a reason to stay alive.

June approaches, and I also need an MRI. Ah, though it is always a thrill to fight my way through downtown Northampton, I decide I'd like to schedule my MRI on the same afternoon as my bone scan, so I'll miss less work. "Sure, we can do that," said that person. They scheduled the times pretty close, but said it would be no problem. I am pleased with Contact #1.

A phone call to screen for the MRI comes. I mention again that I have the bone scan right after, and am concerned about the timing. The person suggests I call Central Scheduling to let them know, to see if they need to adjust, and state they will send a message as well. All seems fine with Contact #2.

I call Central Scheduling, who assures me that all will be well, and I will have plenty of time. I take the word of Contact #3.

I arrive for my MRI and receive excellent care, but the appointment runs over and I arrive upstairs late. I find out I have been marked as a no-show, which seems odd, since it was clear where I was previously, and since I had called about this before. "Oh, they just need to change that," says the person at the desk. But no, 'tis not the end of story. I hear the person mention "contrast" as she speaks to the bone scan people, and I know what's coming.

I learn that if someone has had an MRI with contrast -- something that happens pretty frequently -- they must wait two weeks before they can have a bone scan. Apparently this is closely guarded information, since I talked to three individuals about both appointments, and not a single one mentioned that this could be a problem. Had someone thought, "Hmm, will there be a problem with both scans in the same afternoon? Let me ask," then they could simply have scheduled the MRI for after the bone scan. But this would have been simple and logical, and apparently that is too much to ask.

So now I have to miss more time at work, make more phone calls (and we all know how smoothly THAT goes), and make an extra trip to Hamp, all because not one, not two, but THREE people failed to identify an obvious problem in the plan. I should also mention that I am a medical professional, so I am not surprised by this. So, Cooley Dick, this is not rocket science. You can do better, and I...

Absolutely the most pathetic staff i have ever seen, only one nurse even understood his job, god bless him. I was there for a surgery and was put in an empty wing, not across from the nurses station no no that would be thinking of the patient, i was put DOWN THE HALL from the nurses station to far away to verbally call for help for anything. The female nurse didn't give a second thought after i was put in a room. But the male nurse came to the room when i woke up, kept me company for an hour or so to help me relax and adjust, and kept checking in on me every hour or so even if i didn't call for help. He alone deserves all the credit for my wellbeing and health that night. But sadly the story doesn't end there. I had to go back the very next day about 12 hours later, because the surgery team cut an artery in my leg causing me to slowly bleed out. Got to the hospital explained my situation and how i was there for an emergency surgery for an artery in my leg that my surgeon requested. Sat in the waiting room with internal bleeding for an hour and a half while the nurse picked her teeth, fixed her hair, popped a zit, fixed her makeup. I go to the window and ask for an update three times and on the third request she looks at me rolls her eyes and says that i can go into surgery at any time, and how the team has been waiting for 45 minutes for me to arrive. I asked why she didn't tell me this sooner and she gave a big sigh and said "it's not my responsibility to answer questions you don't ask" and then motioned for me to leave her window and shut her window and returned to her phone, she then took a full 3 minutes to finish up on her phone and let me through the door to a room, then it was 5 minutes and i was in surgery again. When i woke up i was given basic instructions of what the room had, what to do, and how to call for help by a nurse who spoke so efficiently all she needed to say was "oh you're awake, ok we'll be checking in to see how you are" closes the door behind her and never checks on me for the entire 11...