MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown

"I just spent 2 different times with my 85 yr old mother in Providence downtown. She was in the ER and admitted to the 4th floor both times. Unfortunately, we had to make difficult decisions and she passed. I felt I needed to write this review as often the good does not get reported. Both times the ER and hospital staff were great. China in the ER ( we spent an over night in the ER due to lack of beds in the hospital) was great, the other staff were accommodating and attentive. When we moved to the 4th floor we had the same experience both times. I will forget some of the names but just a few, Maddie, David,Colby, Ashley, Yvette, Marlene were wonderful and willing to help and took very good care of my mom. Her doctors were amazing talking us through her care with compassion and details. Dr. Phillips, Dr McLaughlin, Angela and Christian from Dr. Phillips office and several others from the Phillips and McLaughlin’s office that were on call. When she took a turn for the worst and had to move to ICU. Katie from ICU, contacted us. She was detailed, informative but with a sense of urgency. She communicated my mom’s situation, options and her team was on it. It was a well oiled machine moving swiftly but with compassion. Dr Phelps had to share her outlook after being in ICU overnight. He was incredible. He sat with us and laid out her issues and options we could consider and allow us to share her wishes. While no one wants to go through what we did, Providence staffs support differently helped. Don’t get me wrong. I am a strong believer in a person or love one having an advocate. Myself or my brother was with her 95 % of her stay and would not of had it any other way. Drs, nurses, hospital staff are stretched and having a little more help makes a difference."

"I’ve had no issues. I’ve been treated with care, respect and taken care of this past month. I see a lot of complaints about the food and the staff shortage. When in the history of hospitals has the food ever been deemed 5 star? Bring your loved one’s food from home, that’s what my family does. As far as staff shortages, I believe it’s nationwide. Let’s give the staff who are here some respect and gratitude. They are going above and beyond despite the situation."

"Very disappointing, apparently staffing is an issue, 72 yo patient in extreme pain was ushered in and out in the morning after only half the issue was taken care of, had to return later that day to have original problem taken care of (23 hours)! Gave two stars because the night dr and nurse were awesome once we got to the back and took care of the original issue!"

"This was in PRE OP..... Husband was sceduled for a leg catheter at 10 00....they said it would be shortly after 10 30....it's 12 15...noone has came by to check on my husband or give an update why prolonged....very disappointed! I went to desk asking questions at 12 10... They finally come back at 12 20 to inform us that doctor is running behind...and if my husband needed anything to push button cause they were short staff...that isn't our problem...NO APOLOGIES! 1 00 noone!! still waiting...Finally 1 20...they took him back no sign of any nurses... BUT the OR staff was right on the spot...great...very good 5 star Third floor staff was great...5 star"

"I will never ever bring my mother to this place again. The nurses are nice and most of them are helpful. The doctors she has seen have been great. She was on a liquid diet for first day due to having a procedure done next morning. That was okay. Since then the food she has gotten is something I would not feed to my dog. She didn't get lunch at all second day because she was not back from procedure yet, they said they would bring her a tray. They didn't. One of the nurses gave her a couple of packs of crackers. Her dinner was supposed to be chicken, noodles with gravy and dessert. I was there when it came. It was a little boneless piece of chicken plain and not much bigger than a quarter (25 cents) it was hard and rubbery, I watched her try to eat it and she could barely tear it into pieces, so she didn't eat it. They also left some of what she ordered off the plate. I caught one of the servers in the hall and she said she would bring up the stuff that didn't come with her meal. Supper my mom ordered was broccoli, .bbq chicken and mashed potatoes...they brought it all ground up, you couldn't even tell what it was. She is not a baby and it looked like baby food, she has teeth and no trouble swallowing food. We complained, they did nothing about it nor did they bring her anything else. Each meal was horrid. She was asked what she wants for breakfast this morning, she asked for a piece of toast with jelly and scrambled eggs and a piece of bacon and coffee; They brought her some potatoes that had been fried with pepper on it for breakfast and and a small container with peaches. She was so angry and still so hungry, she barely had anything to eat since Tuesday, today is Saturday. They said they would bring her the breakfast she ordered but here it is almost 12:00 noon and they never bothered to bring her anything. One of the nurses gave her a cup of coffee. The cooking staff is deplorable, the food is horrid and I plan on letting Medicare know about it so they don't pay for food she never got. I brought her some food from home last night so at least she had something she could eat. I am so put out by the deplorable way she has been treated by the kitchen staff and the food she got was not eatable. Each time they promised to make it right, she never heard from them again. I am beyond angry. When my husband who has passed was at Providence...excuse me ,now called MUSC....it was not like this. The nurses and doctors were fantastic but the nutritionists or whatever they are called down in the kitchen need to be replaced or taught how to cook and give the patient the correct food they ordered and at least have the decency to send up a corrected tray which they promised but never delivered. As Medicaid is paying for this; they will be informed. I am only sorry I didn't take photos of the stuff they tried to feed my mother. They are unreliable and they should be ashamed and made to eat the same food they feed the patients. If she has to be hospitalized again it will net be at this hospital on Forest Drive.I would not send my worst enemy to it. Also, it is funny how the other hospitals have snacks for the patients on each floor, they had none. The only thing they did have was soda and some juices. Something does not add up right here."