Atlantic Health Urgent Care at Rockaway — Local services in Rockaway

I went in as a walk in because of an allergic reaction to Penicillin prescribed by their own urgent care doctor just two days before in the same location. The girl at the front desk was so rude and gave me an attitude when I told her I need to see a doctor right away I’m having an allergic reaction. She raised her voice and said I need to wait in my car until she calls me so by the time my turn came up I went straight to the window I could no longer feel myself breathing properly. They admitted me and the doctor saw my body broke out in hives and I lost my voice due to neck swelling I felt it nearly closing. They gave me allergy medications and an epipen and I was taken to the emergency room to be treated for my allergic reaction to this antibiotic. As I was being pulled out on the stretcher I heard the doctor telling the girl in the front desk to never let a patient who says they are having an allergic reaction WAIT! I got to the hospital nearby in Dover and they treated me after staying all night. They asked me why I was prescribed the Penicillin in the first place and I told them the doctor in the urgent care said I had strep throat. When they tested me and sent a culture to the lab in the emergency room it came back NEGATIVE! I had never taken this antibiotic before so I was unaware that I was allergic to it. I can’t believe how unprofessional the staff at this location were especially the girl at the front desk who is supposed to be greeting and helping people who have emergencies. She turned me away and forced me to wait until I could barely breathe and kept itching my body was in hives! I was so scared and had such a horrible experience. I will never ever go back to this place and never recommend it to anyone because their “doctors” prescribe medication for illegitimate reasons and misdiagnose you!!!!!!! Also the girl at the front desk should be FIRED! Nobody should be turned away after begging n complaining of shortness of breath and a reaction to antibiotics. Nobody should experience what I had gone through. This facility it far beyond proper medical professionals and treatment. If only I had my voice that day I would’ve used it rather than being taken advantage of and treated so rudely. I hope one day it shuts down or the employees who greet the patients get replaced by better experienced...

New to the area, so this week was my first time being seen anywhere locally after falling ill. It was also the most incompetent walk-in experience I have encountered anywhere, however. I waited for 1.5 hours before being seen with 4 people in the waiting room when I arrived. Which is whatever, I just needed medical care & was unbothered…until seeing the doctor. He listened to my heart, breathing, bowels. Asked maybe four questions. Told me I may or may not have an infection so he’ll give me antibiotics, leaving the room. I was baffled, possibly 2 minutes spent. He came back with my discharge summary and I explained that I am currently awaiting a PCP appointment, but that I couldn’t secure until June earliest. I explained I have a hx of a few chronic vitamin deficiencies and I’m unmedicated as a diabetic without a recent A1c panel, both of which have caused somewhat similar significant body responses to what I’m experiencing. He dismissed me without even acknowledging what I said. I told him “it seems I don’t have a platform here to address my concerns”. He had me lie down to check for meningitis. Then was done again! Another 2 minutes of medical care. He told me it could be a virus but he’s doing the antibiotics just in case. We were pleasant with each other, but it’s negligent medical care and irresponsible. I’m not sure how providers like this keep their jobs or license but the good news is there is TONS of room for patient care...

This was by far the most frustrating urgent care experience I’ve ever had. I brought my son in and was told a prescription would be called into the pharmacy. I was even given instructions on how to change sheets, pillowcases, and toothbrushes to prevent the spread of the virus. The problem? The prescription was never called in.

When I called back to check, I was placed on hold for 20 minutes, then told again that the script would be called in. After following up with the pharmacy, I learned nothing had been sent—again. By that point, urgent care had already closed for the night.

The next morning, a different team told me the doctor had documented that no prescription was needed. Meanwhile, I had a sick child at home, still missing school, with no medicine and no resolution. To make matters worse, since the original doctor was not available, they wanted me to bring my son back in and for another visit — which I’m assuming I would be responsible for paying for. I was even told that it was the doctor’s word against mine and that they were “too busy.”

This level of incompetence and disregard for patient care is unacceptable. Parents shouldn’t have to chase down prescriptions or argue over what was (or wasn’t) said. I left with nothing but wasted time, unnecessary stress, and a child still...