Baptist Medical Center Beaches

I’ve not had a reason to visit Baptist Beaches for a personal reason. I’ve been there to visit a friend and to take a family member there for their own injuries. While visiting my friend 5-ish years ago things didn’t sit quite right with me. She was in the hospital for nearly a month with an excruciatingly painful kidney infection that just wouldn’t heal quickly nor easily. To me, that seemed odd… but I’m not a doctor. She didn’t seem to be getting what she needed to heal properly. Upon being discharged she sought other doctors for prolonged care. About two years ago, my mom fell and dislocated her shoulder. I took her to the emergency room at Baptist Beaches. Knowing she was in pain, she wasn’t actually seen for any type of care (just checked in and places in a room for several hours before even meeting the ER doctor. While waiting she wasn’t given anything for her pain, either…. Not even some ice to place on the shoulder. Once the doctor came him he was VERY short with her and spoke rather rudely, almost as if to childishly mock her because she, too, was being short and raising her voice. However, she was the one in pain! He even threatened to ‘walk out of the room and not come back’ after she told him that she didn’t want morphine. She related it to another family member’s death and it was an unpleasant trigger for her. He behaved quite immaturely as I waited for him to stomp his feet as he left the room. I literally had to be a referee for the two of them. To this day, my mom STILL cannot lift her arm much higher than where her elbow is. However, that is in part because she didn’t go to physical therapy after her injury. A couple of months ago, I again had to take my mother to the ER immediately following a visit with her general practitioner. It was discovered that she had a blood lot in her leg. To this day, we don’t know how big it is, if it’s dissipated, where she’s bleeding from, or exactly how serious it was. We DO know that this visit was much more palatable for her 5 day stay. The nurses were more polite and orderly in their interactions with her. They seemed to be knowledgeable and very thorough with their responsibilities and communications. In both cases, I’m grateful to have had an emergency room so close to her home!

Update ...So your response to my review was for me to take the time to reach out through your generic email address to discuss my bad experience... my phone number is in your system. Why aren't you reaching out to me? You had my father's room cleaned and ready for the next money grab the next morning I assume. Releasing patients who are not ready to go home and giving no help on next steps, other than recommending your inadequate "Baptist Home Healthcare" program borders on unlawful and is definitely immoral. Maybe the worst hospital in Florida. After a serious fall that needed staples in the head, the ambulance took him to Baptist Beaches. They kept him 3 nights (they tried to push him out after 2 nights but I fought it and they eventually agreed to one more night). They sent my 85 year old father home! He has a blood disease and is so weak he cannot get out of bed by himself. He can't do anything by himself. They said he is fine to go home and doesn't meet the need for skilled nursing at a facility. He has excellent Medicare and a supplemental policy. That didn't matter. My wife and I have had to take off work to give 24 hour care in our home. NEVER go this hospital for urgent care. Never go to this hospital for anything.

My mom was brought to the ER by ambulance. Thankfully she is okay, but our experience with parts of the staff was very disappointing. When I arrived, her room was empty. I asked the nurses station where she was and was told they “didn’t know” and that she was “probably at testing.” When I asked what testing or how long she may be gone, the response was essentially, “There are a bunch of tests she could be at, just sit in the room and wait.” The dismissive tone during a moment of panic was very unsettling. Later, my mom was asked to provide a urine sample but couldn’t yet, so I asked if she could have some water. I was told they would “have to ask the doctor,” but that he was busy, so we would just have to wait. Again, the issue was less the answer itself and more the attitude behind it. After sitting for quite a while (over a hour) with little communication, my mom used the call button to ask whether she was being discharged. The response was, “Yeah, we’re going to get you out of here, but you’ll have to wait because we are extremely busy.” Afterward, the staff member accidentally left the phone on, and we overheard a comment along the lines of, “Nobody is asking you to stay.” Meanwhile, the nurses station was consistently filled with multiple staff members loudly laughing, gossiping, and socializing. I completely understand that emergency rooms are stressful and demanding environments, but professionalism and compassion still matter — especially when patients and families are dealing with medical emergencies. The one bright spot during our visit was a male nurse who actually checked in on my mom several times, brought her an extra blanket when he noticed she was cold, spoke to us kindly, and personally helped discharge her and get her safely to the car. His compassion genuinely changed the experience for us, and I’m very grateful for him. To the staff members who may read this: bedside manner matters. Patients and families are often scared, overwhelmed, and vulnerable. A little empathy and professionalism can make a huge difference.

Customer Service from the start was friendly and helpful. As I sat in the imaging department, I was a bit perplexed because I was at that department unexpectedly (my 14 year old), however, the lady at the desk who was the Supervisor, she had curly hair and a beautiful smile, she helped me when I needed it the most. There was also a RN who helped me with the app, I was overwhelmed but these 2 ladies were a God sent!!! I'm so grateful for them!