Endoscopy Center of the Central Coast — Local services in San Luis Obispo

First, they are getting two stars instead of one star because prep nurses were good, and one recovery nurse was excellent. Prep started fine with one nurse taking history, explaining things, etc. Then at some point everything became rushed, even though it was still at least 45 minutes before my scheduled procedure time. Another nurse came in, so even though they were both good to start the IV while the first nurse did blood pressure, etc. Even though they were both good, the need to rush was evident and increased my stress.

Then the anesthesiologist nurse (AmSurg) came in. I mentioned my previous problems with anesthesia and was scowled at and told, "if you would let me finish instead of interrupting like women always do"...He insisted I would not have any problems under his care and the medicine used.

The doctor (Dignity Health) never came to talk to me, and I only saw him in the procedure room. Neither the prep nurse nor the doctor seemed to have any indication of why specifically I was there for the procedure, even though I had to go to doctor's office to even schedule the procedure.

After the procedure, I had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia (as I had earlier said and been belittled for the concern). One of the recovery nurses was excellent, brought me water, put the blood pressure cuff back on, told the doctor about the discomfort I was feeling. The other recovery nurse was adamant that I couldn't possible be dizzy and didn't need to lie back down. I ignored her and reclined again, but the bed was raised so high it only slightly helped. She said something along the lines of "at least she is in a middle section". Obviously my normal reaction to anesthesia was delaying their "rush rush" process. She grudingly helped me find the sleeve of my shirt, and escorted me out, but didn't really help me. I leaned on the wall as we walked until I got outside and called to my husband waiting at the car.

The Dignity doctor dismissed my concern about physical discomfort (not anesthesia related) I was feeling with, "you were feeling like that before you came." Which is true, and why I was there, but it was worse after the procedure.

Not sure I have a choice, but I will try to avoid this place. Also, if it makes you more comfortable, or you are slow coming out of anesthesia, insist that whoever brought you can go back to the room. They told me at the beginning that could not happen, but a later conversation with the administrator said it could if...

The facility should receive more stars, unfortunately it’s been pulled down by one nurse. All other employees were great and the overall process was good. The fact that one nurse can affect this score is telling of the experience. Nurse Sher or Cher made my experience unnecessarily painful and traumatic.

I have great difficulty with drawing a line on my right arm (small veins, rolling veins) and I let them know this. But they insisted that this was the arm they needed to use. After TWO failed attempts, the anesthetist kindly offered to allow me to use the left arm. The left arm always works well for me. However, nurse Sher blows in and insists we use the right and that she’s going to make it happen. When I told her that the anesthetist allowed me the accommodation, she said “he’s just being kind”. Something I wish she had been!

She grabs my hand and I begged her several times to not put a line in my right hand as, after 60 years, I know this to be extremely painful. Remember, I had already been poked twice. Before I knew it she’s attempting a line in my hand. With great difficulty. The anesthetist offered to help her and they were both poking, prodding, repositioning the needle in my hand. They were saying out loud that it had also “blown” and they had to try flushing it to make sure it was working.

Tears are streaming down my face at this point. I was shaking. I felt nauseous. They kept asking if I felt pressure in my hand as they were not sure if it had blown. Nurse Sher could not give a flying rip about what I was going through!! The anesthetist was apologetic but I wish he had been more supportive of his patient and less scared of Sher.

I, myself, was afraid that if I pushed the issue, they would refuse the procedure. This was not a routine procedure but one that was necessary for cancer screening.

I was left with massive bruising, swelling, and pain on my hand. Besides the bruising from the first two failed attempts on my arm. I still want to cry when I think about how gruff and impersonal Sher was towards me. It felt like I didn’t matter. This all could have been avoided if they had LISTENED to...

My procedure was October 4, 2023 Let me tell you what it was like to be the patient I came to a building that I have never been in I was greeted by people I had never met before I was having a procedure done I had never done before by complete strangers I was very nervous and anxious and it showed but I am human I was wheeled into the procedure room and with no explanation asked to roll on my left side when I did that I was greeted by a nurse (I think) who said open your mouth when I didnt move quickly enough Billy the Nurse Anesthetist barked at me open your mouth! When I tried to say this is your job you do this everyday he said you will be asleep soon anyway as if what I was feeling was unimportant and silly!! No one was explaining anything to me!! I was scared, I was anxious it was palpable I felt rushed to get out of the bed after the procedure and the staff actually moved me to a chair while I was still dazed and confused from the anesthesia and went about their day around me as if I didn’t exist I have had 4 C-Sections and never experienced such lack of care! I understand that they are on a tight schedule and need to get people through the process quickly but please remember the patient should never have to feel unimportant and rushed Please try to remember what it’s like to be the patient Kindness and compassion go a long way for an anxious, scared patient experiencing something they...