Carotid body paraganglioma treatment in 52 Vascular surgery clinics in Americas

My husband recently had spinal fusion surgery at the hospital. There are so many great things about this hospital, but other things that need improvement. First of all, Cristina, in admissions is wonderful. She speaks perfect English (a huge bonus as my Spanish is basic) and she's extremely thorough and caring. The pre and post op care was also amazing. The hospital rooms are huge, with English TV stations and the accommodations are quite comfortable. Most of the staff (nurses, aides, etc...) are also very caring individuals. What didn't go so great is: (1) At check in we were given the rules of the hospital which requires a family member to be with the patient 24/7. This should be given in advance as we had to scramble to get a dog sitter. (2) Cristina, in admissions, asked us what we had been quoted for the procedure. This is something the hospital should already have, and in the end we were charged almost 23,000 pesos for the hospital's surcharge on the titanium metal used to fuse my husband's neck. Basically, the corkage fee for the metal to enter their hospital. We were not told about this by the doctor who gave us the quote. (3) Most of the nursing staff was great but some would let me husband's IV's run dry with alarms going off. This would cause them to come in and run saline solutions through the line which was a bit painful. When I'd go to see why the nurses had not responded to the IV alarms or our pushing the call buttons, they'd just be hanging around the nursing station. (4) Discharge was a traffic jam. The doctor said we could leave around 10:30 and that the bill was ready. I went to the nursing station to inquire and the sent me to the "caja" (cashier) downstairs who told me it wasn't ready yet so went back to the room and waited 2 hours until I finally went back to the nurses stations and requested someone who spoke English to come talk to me. After that, it finally got finished and delivered an hour later. All in all, a good hospital experience but if they are going to try and market to expats and wealthy individuals, there are many kinks in their system that they need to work out.

Very professional, clean hospital with caring nurses, doctors and entire staff. You don't feel like you are in a hospital in terms of decoration, environment and even the smell. I had an operation and was taken care of really perfect. Can not thank you guys enough. More than 5 ⭐. ( There are also many doctor offices on the upper floors which my doctors were too. My husband need to see another specialist so it was so convenient. The laboratory works perfect too. All in 1!)

Top class hospital with lots of doctor's offices upstairs. Plus there's a frozen yogurt place out front.

Clean and sophisticated hospital, sympathic and skilled people and doctors English speaking doctors Very good experience Recommend 100%

Don't go there if you don't have a brazilian plan, they will force you to pay for unnecessary insurance that is 3x the normal price.

Stellar. professional, humaine, attentive, caring and loving. My mother was admitted 3 times and used the hospital almost daily after discharged. From the valet parking to the doctors, cleaning to nursing staff, everyone was efficient albeit friendly.

First-class hospital, very beautiful and organized, not to mention its huge size!!! Top service!

Execelente hospital

Legal

We have been waiting for two hours to be seen in the emergency room by Unimed. My son is classified as “blue”. This is considered not serious. All, I repeat: all the people who have arrived so far have been attended to before him. Does this mean: we arrive, register and wait for new patients to come in and go before them??? That's right? Knowing that we will always wait a long time, because another color gets in front of it. ABSURD.

I went to the obstetric emergency because I'm 13 weeks and there was bleeding. Another pregnant woman and I waited for 2 hours of service, we went to ask and the girl said that it was protocol according to the assessment, finally I arrived at 7:35 and was seen at 9:41 pm and the chairs were empty and they weren't even attending!

Rgy

I accompanied my husband for knee surgery, we were very well looked after in all sectors, the nurses were extremely attentive, the rooms were very well equipped. We were satisfied.

I have always received very good care at Hospital Estrela, I am immensely grateful!

TERRIBLE ATTENDANCE! I was admitted due to a fall, with acute pain in my leg and the professional who was pushing my wheelchair pressed my foot, the leg that couldn't handle the pain, against the wall and without even apologizing, left. He returned with medication, applied it without any guidance or explanation and left. The doctor barely assessed it, he just said that I didn't have a fracture and sent me away without even referring me to a specialist and requesting tests such as MRI. And I still had to put up with a rude professional when I asked to leave. I went in with acute pain and came out worse.

Got first-rate care, had a great experience and a positive outcome! Kudos to the Nurses, Doctors/Surgeons/Anasthesioligists, Physical Therapists, Dieticians/ Food Service, Fellows, Interns and Students.Special shout-out to my postoperative caregiver- Karina Valentine. She kept me going through the most challenging part of my surgical journey- enduring procedures to facilitate the OUT in outpatient. Lest we forget the unsung heroes that keep the hospital so hygienically safe and superior- I must now sing my praises to the custodial technicians: 🎶We could eat off of the floors But we don’t have to They give plates and forks Don’t spill dessert (I got strawberry shortcake 🍰)

Duke has reached a new low in Health Care. I'd give them stars in the minus categories if I could. My son had eye surgery and every time we went for an appointment we waited over 2 hours to be seen. I can tell you I read 150 pages of a book on one visit. We actually saw people leave without being seen because they had waited so long. My son objected to the long wait one day and was told by the surgeon that he was ruining her day. Because of the wait he asked to talk to the manager or an administrator. While waiting the police came made him leave because they said he raised his voice. He was not allowed to talk to the administrator and was escorted out. This is not the first problem we have had with Duke. My son was in the emergency room waiting for the specialist on call when the Emergency Doctor came in and told him that the specialist on call was already home and refused to come in to see him. We were told he should go to the specialist's off the next day. We did that and he was seen for less than 10 minutes and told to go back to another doctor. Seems the specialist could have cut through the chase and just told us that to begin with. My impression is that almost every one in the hospital system is very impressed with themselves and seems to think it below them to interface and deal with patient who have some real problems. I can, in no way, recommend any Duke Service. I could continue with examples but it would sound repetitive. I practiced Nursing for 45 years and never came up against any care that is this poor in quality. Giving them -5.

There is good and bad. I recently gave birth at Duke University Hospital and I want to say that my experience with Doctor Clifford, and nurses Lexi, Brenna, Tabitha, Josephine among others was phenomenal. I was blown away by the care and compassion I received so I will say it was a four star experience. However, I have one major complaint about the experience and feel it's important enough to try to voice it. The postnatal recovery rooms are terrible. They are the size of walk in closets and if you have a support person such as your husband staying with you, they have to sleep on what is essentially an airplane chair. My husband could not do it, and it made the end of my experience at Duke hard because I needed him there with me. I felt like me and my baby were locked in a cell and I was going crazy by the time I was discharged. Thank god I was discharged early. There were many people coming in and out of my closet those last few days and nights, and it was definitely too many people. After receiving an emergency C section, I felt I was improperly educated on the repercussions. I had no idea I would have trouble producing milk after my blood loss in surgery and I was not informed about any of the medication I was prescribed. Again, it would have helped if my husband could have been there because maybe I actually was given information but was too out of it for it to sink in.

I wasn't going to write a review (I'm so over all this), but I feel compelled to after reading a review that was extremely similar to what I experienced here for COVID-19 treatment. I tested COVID-positive on January 3rd and started Paxlovid. I saw my neighborhood doctor on January 4th. I am vaccinated (and boosted) but am at high risk with asthma. I was given steroids and breathing medicine. I was instructed to go to the hospital if I got worse. I got worse. The following evening, my oxygen dropped below 80. Scared, I called an ambulance and requested to be taken to this hospital as it was supposed to be the best. They took my oxygen in the ambulance and immediately gave me oxygen. I was on oxygen the whole time in the ambulance. I was taken off oxygen when I arrived as my saturation reached the high 90s. I requested the antiviral remdesivir. The doctor refused to give me the medicine. I explained how my condition worsened despite days on Paxlovid, steroid injections, oral steroids, bronchodilators, and rescue inhalers. He could not have cared less. I requested to leave as the doctor was not going to treat me (he charged me, though). The doctor told me there were other ID specialists. I requested to speak to one of them, and the doctor left. While waiting, someone else came in and said there were no other ID specialists there, so I paid and left. It should be noted my saturation had fallen to 92% by that time. I struggled at home with symptoms for the next few days. I continued testing positive after completing Paxlovid. My condition worsened, and I returned to the neighboring doctor about a week after leaving the hospital. Still symptomatic and COVID-positive, he examined me and found pneumonia. My labs were also abnormal, showing evidence I had developed blood clots due to COVID-19. He prescribed medicine for pneumonia and clots (which worked). All this could have been prevented. Trying to get my medical records from this hospital afterwords (for insurance) was like pulling teeth. It took forever to get my records, and when I finally did, I was shocked. The doctor noted that I said things I never did. My signature was forged on the documents. Worst hospital experience ever. Very expensive and received no treatment. The administration is a nightmare as well. Avoid it if possible.

We have been living In 3 different countries for the past 9 years, never experienced anything as bad. We have a a top insurance but they “suddenly” only excepts credit card payment. Stayed for additional 5 hours because they did not let’s leave. No one speaks English except the doctors. However, doctors are very competent and reason for not one but two stars.

Absurdly (like, for real) expensive for a very mediocre level of service. I went to the urgency center, and i found it very useless that on every stage (reception, triage, first and second doctor) they asked me the same questions. The doctor took more than half an hour to arrive. The receptionist has misinformed me and I did a very expensive (since I’m traveling abroad) call which wasn’t necessary at that moment. Also, several times there were several people coming in at a time, also unnecessary, certainly didn’t create a feeling of comfort. The room in which I was attended was small and the door was never closed.

This hospital is part of the inherited Mexico, with a staff with the excellence that experience provides, but fatigue periodically takes its toll, so as a patient, everyone will talk about how the fair went. The staff makes an effort for the shortcomings they work with and for such a diverse population. More hospital centers like this are needed for this city. Abroad, dozens and even a few hundred spend hours and even days waiting for care for family members, either for medical appointments and studies, as well as those who are hospitalized for days in these facilities. There are those who already go with a folding bench, others rent chairs, umbrellas and some institutions offer a tent for those who come from afar to accompany a family member during their hospitalization period.

Excellent

Exceente

A big thank you to the staff of Galenia hospital!!! During our stay this month, my friend became suddenly ill and had to be hospitalized. Being from the US, I must say that it was a bit nerve wracking to have to seek medical help in a foreign country. However, our experience was entirely positive!!! To the concierge staff - Eric and Alfredo - I wish to extend tremendous gratitude!!! Your translation services as well as your kindness and hospitality were both indispensable and greatly appreciated!!!! I also wish to extend my gratitude to Dr. Allejandro (I don't remember your last name); not only were you genuinely gracious, you discovered the problem quickly and got my friend back on her feet in no time at all!!! Again, thank you Hospital Galenia for such a good experience!!! You took great care of my friend and went above and beyond in showing us courtesy and consideration!!!

BEWARE IF YOU ARE A TOURIST! My father was hospitalized on a family trip to Cancun. He was transported to this hospital and needed emergency surgery This hospital FAILED him. They wouldn’t even give him so much as saline or an antibiotic without payment in FULL. WE WERE CHARGED $4,000 FOR. He went 8 HOURS sitting on an emergency room bed when he should have been in surgery. THEY DEMANDED 50,000 DOLLARS PAID IN FULL BEFORE STARTING ANY CARE AND THAT WAS JUST FOR THE SURGERY. WE OFFERED TO PAY 25,000 SO THEY COULD START AND THEY REFUSED. WE OFFERED TO PAY THE REST THE NEXT DAY AND THEY REFUSED. WE TRANSFERRED MY FATHER TO THE OTHER HOSPITAL BECAUSE WE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE. WE FELT USELESS WHILE THEY HAD ALL THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING THEY CHOSE TO DO NOTHING!!!!! THEY ARE SCAMMERS AND NOTHING MORE. ITS A MIRACLE MY FATHER SURVIVED AND ONLY BY THE HELP OF GOD WAS MY FATHER ABLE TO COME BACK HOME WITH US. JUST TO TOP IT OFF WHEN WE WERE PAST THE TRAUMA THAT THESE PEOPLE PUT US THROUGH THEY HAD THE AUDACITY TO BILL IS THE OXYGEN THAT WAS ADMINISTERED DURING THE AMBULANCE RIDE!! 2000 DOLLARS!!!!!!!! THEY WOULD RATHER WATCH YOUR FAMILY MEMBER DIE, I WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR DISGUSTING SMUG FACES

It feels very comfortable being there. Olivia is the best. She arranges everything for you when you are from outside the country of Mexico. You show up and all is prepared. Her personality is very welcoming and friendly. I love not having to worry about the stress of paper work especially since i don't know Spanish well. All her subordinates speak English as well and are all very nice. Galenia might be costly however the peace of mind you get not being stresses out with paperwork helps a lot. I don't even need to Contact my insurance. They do everything for you. Best service. The receptionist at imaging are a bit slow and don't know any English. But the staff attending to you in the radiation area are super friendly and helpful. I see many people complain about the price. This is a private hospital and will be costly. It is the same in my own country. Private hospitals cost a lot but if you have insurance and you are not from Mexico, then I highly recommend using their tourism concierge. They are a great help and speak English. They are all very nice and helpful. I have had the pleasure of meeting and being assisted by Olivia (who is the best), Ellen, Ricardo and another guy i cant remember his name. Not sure if it is Daniel or something with a D. That was over 2 years ago i met him. They arranged everything with my insurance prior to going there. I just showed up and Olivia walked me through everything. I was in and out as quick as possible. No long waiting. Use the concierge service they have. It really helps you from stressing about paperwork and payments. My journey at Galenia started September 2021 and I continue into 2023......

Do not reccomend to be attended by Dr. Jaime A. Estrella. Was forcing me to put workers comp when my injury had nothing to do with work, and threatend to report me as well for leaving half way through. Very bad doctor.

I've been go Almater Hospital twice now to have surgeries with Dr. Luque. I can't begin to express my gratitude for what wonderful experiences I've had. On both occasions, the staff both with Dr. Luque's clinic team, the surgical team, and the hospital staff have gone above and beyond to take exceptional care of me. They are patient with my insecurities and anxiety about the processes, they deliver excellent care, and are kind and considerate throughout. I'm a Nurse Practitioner by trade in the US and have had many surgeries in the US in the past. I can genuinely say the care I received at Almater hospital and by these medical professionals far exceeds any treatment I've ever received in the US. This will be my choice hospital for care with all procedures I'm able to utilize them for and highly recommend them to others.

Very bad hospital to get treated. I went for a procedure on my low back (cyst) and they charged me over 9,000 pesos for just medicine, and wanted to charge me 50,000 for the procedure. Of course they only told me the price after I had asked how much it was going to be. Also they charged me 1000 pesos extra for using a different doctor that supposedly is filling in for another. They wanted to keep me over night for no reason, I would have just been laying in bed (I assume to make more money of me). Communication between the workers is bad. Not recommend at all. Prices are way overpriced and the service is bad. Save your time and money and go to a different hospital

Absolutely horrible service. My father broke his arm and we had to wait like 10-15 minutes just checking in. And then they gave him a terrible cast and diagnosis. We had to come back to the US and go to our local Kaiser Permanente to get actual care for my dad. Please avoid this place, especially if you are visiting from the US. Por favor, nunca buscas ayuda aquí, especialmente si vienes extranjero de los Estados Unidos.

We have used the services of Valmar Hospital, including surgery and emergency care. Could not ask for better service and care. Having so many specialists at one location is so helpful. Received excellent care from Doctors , nurses and staff.

Horrible service. Showed up here with a case of Food Poisoning and was turned away because my symptoms were "similar" to Covid-19. The front desk person told me to wait outside, didn't even ask me simple questions such as if I had a cough or shortness of breath and after "speaking with her supervisor" told me I had to go to the General Hospital because Velmar was "full". Such a lie! If it was full, why wasn't I turned away when I first showed up? I went to Clinica San Fernando after and was seen by a great doctor there. My cardiologist and urologist have their offices at Velmar and I will let them know I won't be able to attend our appointments anymore at this hospital, because they deny service to people in need.

* Good facilities * Good equipments * Bad communication * Bad attention and follow up on the patient. * Really slow process in “emergency” area. * Bad management.

Sandinista Revolution Really??? still rich ladies came in where we where all waiting for more than two hours just because they knew the doctor and were rich where overpassing a pregnant lady this is a disgrace to the honor of the memory of our great hero that kicked out twice the US marines the revolution was useless there is no such thing like equality in my beloved Nicaragua

MY FRIEND RECENTLY VISITED THIS HOSPITAL AND HE STATES HE HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE! EXCELENTE STAFF:) BUT MOSY IMPORTANTLY DR ALTAMIRANO WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL, HUMBLE & COMPASSIONATE . VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING DETAILED AND MADE SURE HE UNDERSTOOD, THAT SHOWED US HOW MUCH PASSION SHE HAS FOR HER JOB SHE IS THE BEST DOCTOR HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE TO SEE DR ALTAMIRANO WISH I COULD LEAVE A 10 STAR FOR HER ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bad Service, the doctor didn't examine my girlfriend Anna properly, we paid 70€ and after two weeks she is still sick.

Extremely bad hospital. One people doesn’t understand what doing other.. Contract’s conditions always changing same with fraud. On the start they promise one but finally u will left money more more more that for same service in USA! Stupid management!!!

Very stupid international service!!! They change conditions more than 4 times before baby delivery!!! They want much more money but don’t understand self final conditions. Finally in last week we was need change hospital.

The place is old, but the people who serve are super friendly, they went overboard!!!

In general it is old, the elevators are bad, slow and it is super big, the facilities are a little poorly maintained, the elevators and in my case to access the arrhythmia secretariat you have to go with a map and counting the steps go up to 5 and then go down to 4 because there is a closed part of the hospital. But as excellent quality specialists and within everything they comply with everything. (There is very little availability of hours).

Terrible attention. This place needs better customer service.

My wife gave birth to our daughter here. Amazing staff on rotation. We were there for 3 night and had an amazing experience from the food, the quality of the rooms, and the experience in the staff that always made us feel that we were priority.

PCR test done very quickly, good hygiene results the next morning. Not crowded, almost no waiting time, but people smoking marijuana, literally 2 meters IN FRONT of the entrance of the respiratory emergency... there should be security at the gates.

I had the best experience with all the staff at hospital. Everyone was super friendly even though I didn't speak a word of Spanish. Even other patients helped me out with translating information to the staff.

Ok

Imagine being in a wheelchair, trying to get into urgent care for a surgery you had there, and not being helped about when you arrive, somehow managed to get into the triage and then be left alone, then get the need to use the bathroom at a place not clearly design to be used for people with mobility issues, then the only person available to help you is another patient passing by. It's such a shame that all of this happened here, where I have yet to get medical attention for my urgent needs.

One if the best hospitals in Cali. Modern, well staffed, good service

Be aware of the medical assistant of Dr Dueñas ( third floor, big tower, " Jennifer"). She treats you wonderfully in front of the doctor, but when you ask for the results or extra important information at the reception or on the phone, she is the rudest. Staff needs to be trained in HOSPITALITY 101.

I see quite a bit of negative reviews which made me nervous going here, and I know it’s all subjective but I had a good experience. Although I do have international insurance so I’m sure that played a part. They got me in fast and the doctor was very friendly & helpful. She was gentle with my hurt shoulder and even offered pain meds in hospital although I declined. it may be a bit expensive in Peruvian standards but if you are coming from North America it is still a small fraction of what you would pay back home( just the X-rays alone in the US would have been significantly more than my total bill here) All in all not a bad experience at all just make sure you have cash or insurance because you pay at the time of visit not like in North America where you can do a payment plan

Simply THE WORST!!! I do not recommend this place at all, don’t even bother to call them because Janet (the secretary or receptionist) will transfer you or hang up. Don’t try to explain them why are you feeling sick because she will yawn and laugh at you. Bad bad experience!!!

Facilities are very clean, the staff is professional, and respectful! Best in the country. Also the food in the cafeteria is very good.

It is a expensive hospital, but it is worthy. My 1 year old baby was diagnosed with testiculo tumor, he needed to be operated ASAP. Now he is 100% out of danger. Thanks God and the doctors. Never felt more comfortable in a hospital.

I have been a patient at Vivian Pellas for over 9 years in that time I have had 4 surgeries and my wife had her hip replacement done there. My past experiences have been good up until a little over a year ago. Went in for what I thought was hemorrhoid surgery. According to all my papper work which I still have but instead I received a sphincterotomy and no hemorrhoid present at the time. Be carefull there! Still having ongoing problems as a result

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Excellent