Lincoln County Medical Center — Local services in Ruidoso

I was seen in the Emergency Department just after First Light after injuring my ankle the day before in a freak event. I am giving 5 Stars because that’s the care and treatment I got from the professionals who took care of me. (I will speak later to another individual who was involved.). I got seen quickly by Jenifer, my nurse who took my history. Jenifer was thorough, caring and genuinely seemed to take an interest in me and my situation. My Emergency Physician was Francisco Javier Vargas Nava, MD. He, too, was exceptional. Dr. Vargas evaluated, made recommendations while involving me in decision-making. He helped me understand exactly what was going on, and I trusted him. I liked it that he shook hands. Dr. Vargas was kind, bright, and very skilled. I dealt with another nurse, whose name I believe was Daryl. He helped get several issues clarified. He too, was very knowledgeable and kind. He took me to my camper in a wheelchair rather than sending me across the parking lot wielding new crutches. Now to the other individual. Don’t know her name. Her name tag was always facing her body. When I asked, she told me she was an Assistant to the Emergency Staff. Very young woman in designer scrubs. She just handed me a clipboard of duplicate information to fill out. Later I found it was for billing. She struggled through putting a fiberglass splint and wrap on my leg/ankle. After several attempts it still looks like a little kid was “playing nurse and doctor.” And the bare fiberglass is still cutting into the back of my leg. All it would have taken was a small soft strip to cover that. She was unable to adjust my new crutches without help from the nurse. And she was disastrous in trying to show me how to use them. Again, the nurse intervened and I went home to watch YouTube videos for help. I was concerned about a related cut on opposite leg. She said “just wash it with soap and water.” I again said I was concerned about infection and pain level. She agreed to talk to someone and let me know. She never returned with any help. I’m a Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist. If I let an inexperienced person sit in on a psychotherapy session and then left the room to take care of other things, that person could damage my patient. And that seems to be the situation here. She does not know how much she doesn’t know and does not seem trained in anything related to patient care (like a bedside manner is foreign to her) or medical areas. If I were rating her, she would get a 1 (if there were no 0 or...

My 94 year old great grandmother just left after an overnight stay. She is bruised all over from the numerous attempts to get her blood . Both of her median cubital veins ( inner arm opposite of elbow) were poked along with both hands multiple times. Finally they pulled a vein good enough for an IV in her hand. When it came time to take it out, the vein blew which is common in the elderly . A small hematoma is expected. My problem is that the nurse did not hold adequate pressure for long enough to stop the pressure. I was not there I did not see my great grandmother until I got a graphic photo of her hand from my grandmother. She sent it to me because I was in the phlebotomy field for a good period of time. Immediately my jaw dropped . This hematoma was half of the size of her hand and still very actively bleeding through the bandages. They discharged her with an ice pack. The bleeding quit for a little while then appeared to have restarted bleeding as she had two large separate lumps . I got there and looked at her hand. The first lump was hard - blood had settled. The second lump was still squishy and was slightly secreting. I got it all re wrapped and re pressured so it wouldn’t happen again. All I know is if I would’ve done this at my job I would’ve been fired knowing this old lady is bleeding into herself and telling her here’s an ice pack and sending her out the door. I am very upset and the negligence done at this place is very concerning.. I hope the nurse is reprimanded for this as this is very wrong and one of the basics in the book. If it’s bleeding hold pressure till it quits, if you’re not sure it quit; hold it for longer. It could have become a big problem very fast. This place knew she was on blood thinners and proceed to send this old lady out bleeding all over the place. I’m very disappointed in this hospital and hope they learn from this mistake so it does not happen again to another patient. She’s going to have this big ugly bruise for possibly weeks and the pain that comes with having a hematoma in a very sensitive area of the hand. Do better please. For...

I had my L. Hip replaced at the LCMC on Friday, May 26th. I wanted to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Dr. Richard Purcell, MD. and all his staff, epecially the nurses, Mini and Brenda, including Kyle, the Anesthesiologist, for the help they gave me during my brief stay. I arrived at the hospital at 6 AM and was released to go home by 12 Noon! The surgery included a spinal tap that was completely successful and probably contributed to my speedy recovery. I passed my physical theraphy with no problems and was released from the hospital the same day. the surgery was very successful. I am home now working with my physical therapist, taking my medication to reduce my pain, preventing infection and blood clotting.

In my humble opinion, Dr. Purcell is an excellent orthopedic physican and provides his patients wonderful care. I was not aware that Dr. Purcell practiced orthopedic Hip surgery at LCMC as a part of the Presbyterian Medical Group and has been there for over 1 year. My own family physical did not know Dr. Purcell was a Hip Dr. in Ruidoso. I found out by accident from a colleague I have classes with at ENMU. Our small community needs to get the word out ASAP that LCMC have orthopedic Drs. for Hips, Knees and Shoulders right here in Ruidoso! Our Hospital is getting on the map and thankfully I avoided having to travel to Albuqureque, Roswell, Las Cruces, Texas, etc. to have this surgery done. The time and money I was prepared to spend would have cost me an extensive amount of unnecessary time and money for the same operation I got here in my own home town.

All I can say is, Ruidoso residents and surrounding small towns need to wake up and investigate what medical services we have in our own backyard! ...