UF Health Pediatric Emergency Room

"2/9/24 They are lucky they're getting one star. If I could have left a zero star rating , I would have. Our 4-year-old son (who is our youngest of two. The other is 6.5. so, we are not new to having boys. Also, we are not the type to just call EMS at the drop of a hat. This was a true trauma.) was brought in by EMS for head trauma, and a severe head LAC, after a fall at Aldi's. There was no: LOC, neurological deficit, n/v, lethargy or dizziness. We only got into triage quickly, because he was brought in by ambulance. No one in triage even looked at the laceration. They got his vital signs, and placed us this in the waiting room. Where 80% of the people there, were there with colds. 3 hours later, no one from CT has come to take him for a head scan. So obviously, no one there seemed to worry about him that much. If there was even a head CT ordered, it wasn't ordered stat. It was only ordered routinely. Let me back up and remind you, this is a 4-year-old, with head trauma post fall of over 2 ft. Also presenting with a severe 1/2 inch - 1 inch (in width)/deep laceration on his head. My wife and I, whom were both there, have medical backgrounds. I myself, have almost 21 years in healthcare. We can understand the workings, issues, aspects, etc of an ER. Especially, a pediatric ER. However, we were absolutely dumbfounded at the lack of care, or urgency by anyone in this ER. I GET IT.... it's our son! I'm expected to feel this way. However, it was the same for the majority of other patients in there.The best care that we got, was the gentleman at the reception desk, giving us a comp card for our valet. This was after I told him we were leaving to go to an urgent care facility. For those reading this, who may be trolls, I remind you that my wife and I both have healthcare backgrounds. We would not have left if we felt that he was in any severe danger. Obviously, the ER staff didn't feel like he was in any severe danger either. After being there over 3 hours, we left and went to Emergency Physicians Group on 39th avenue, just off of i-75. They got us back promptly. Assessed the wound. Assessed our son. Took diligent care to numb the area more than adequately, that way he wouldn't have more trauma with having the wound closed. I can promise you, Shands Pediatric ER will never be the primary choice for either of our children, ever again!"

"I was for 8 hours at this ER! They’re only getting 1 start because the young girl at reception was so attentive to everyone and made sure if you needed someone to get it right away, we came here because my daughter had Covid and she wasn’t drinking for almost 2 days either and fever that kept coming back every hour and so, it took over an hour for a doctor to come and see us in the room all they did was to check her vitals, doctor said she was going to get a fluids, but she didn’t all we got was a pill for nausea, we left around 4:40am after they didn’t do anything. Took her to the pediatrician and we found out she had an ear infection and that’s why her fever wasn’t leaving. Long story short, worse ER so far, I don’t know if they’re short staffed or what but waiting 8 hours for them not to do their job correctly isn’t correct, they need to do better"

"Took my 2 year old to the ER for breathing issues. We were triaged immediately but waited hours to see the doctor and eventually left. The waiting room was full even with Covid rampant. The staff was empathetic but they are not equipped to handle the volume."

"I can say the treatment of my daughter at this hospital was outstanding. She has special needs, and the other hospital we went to refused to try to put an iv in her until they sedated her first. Here, they had a plan that was successful fairly quickly. No sedation was needed or even considered. I appreciate that and all the staff that helped her. Chelsey was fantastic!"