Thoracic spinal stenosis treatment in 135 Spine surgery clinics in Americas

I elected to have my hip replacement done in Calgary in September rather than wait and live in continued pain here in Winnipeg. It was nothing short of a great experience from the first contact through the surgery, fabulous care at the clinic and excellent followup. You never feel ‘abandoned’ even though you return home 1300 Km away. Kudos to the whole team, esp. Jennie and Dr., Johnston for being not only efficient and professional but caring. Thanks for giving me quality of life again!

I had my hip replaced on October 31, 2023 working with Gateway Surgery. I can’t say enough positive things about Dr. Hart, Dr. Guzzo and their entire medical support team. They are amazing and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I was on my feet and walking within a few hours of having the surgery. I got back home on November 2, 2023 and must say that I’m glad that I used the travel agent Gateway recommended to book flights and hotel accommodations. Since returning home, I’ve had several calls from the nurses at Gateway to make sure everything is OK and that I’m not having any issues. In summary, I’ve had a number of operations over the years and this surgery by far has been the best surgical experience I’ve ever had. The best analogy I can come up with to describe the difference between using public versus private healthcare could be characterized as the difference between flying economy as compared to flying business class. By going private, the waiting time is substantially reduced which gives me additional time to do the things I want to do during retirement in lieu of suffering at home. Gateway Surgery is my number one recommendation for private surgical services.

I was seen at Gateway for a consult by Dr. Kelly Johnston for an arthritic hip. Decision for surgery was made in a timely manner and I DIDNOT have to WAIT! I could not have my surgery done in Alberta so I was referred to a surgical Center in Toronto. Being connected to an Orthopedic Surgeon ( Dr. Kelly Johnston) post op was a high priority for me in the event I needed medical attention close by following my surgery in Toronto once I was discharged. ( I am a retired nurse that worked healthcare for a number of years). I did have some post op issues but I am happy to report the care I received from Dr. Johnston and his Gateway staff was top notch. Dr. Johnston has an incredible bedside manner and I was well taken care of by him. I also have to mention Twyla! She is a great nurse that I had access to during my post op period and helped me through the post op period. Having access to a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day post op is so comforting and reassuring. This is a huge asset! Help is literally a phone call away! The staff at Gateway is excellent and very efficient. I am forever grateful for all the great care I received!

From the minute I got there till I left the next day (which I definitely would have stayed another night), I felt so taken care of. I had a total knee replacement. Dr Batuyong Dr Macay his assistant, the anesthesiologist George, my nurses, Jackie, Sadat, Jonah, Silver, and Denver always had a smile on their face. Everyone there seemed to love their jobs! The rooms were huge, beautifully decorated and had a huge TV. I would go here every day of the week for any treatments. I wish the nurses In the hospitals would love their jobs, but we first have to have a better system of not so much pressure, mandating over time…. Then those amazing nurses could walk in smiling to!!!! Thank you everyone for an amazing experience!!! Oh wait the food… I had a great sandwich salad and full plate of fruit. Breakfast well let’s say that was pretty much nonexistent!!! But they know you’re leaving so you can get breakfast wherever you wanted. They also didn’t offer lunch but if I wanted something I could have had a sandwich cuz that’s all they seemed to offer. Overall. Still the best hospital visit!

I had knee replacement surgery on Sept 26,2023 in Calgary. ⁃ On entrance to facility , the receptionist was welcoming and friendly ⁃ My Surgeon, Dr Fruson , was exceptional ; showed me my X-rays in the OR and made sure that I was comfortable ⁃ Operating room assistants, Dr Schachar and Dr Torfason introduced themselves and promised that they would make sure the whole team was on their best behaviour ⁃ The anesthesiologist, Dr Krause; helped me make a decision about anesthesia and explained how it would be delivered Assured me that she would be right behind my shoulder watching out for me the whole time. ⁃ I Felt like I was in good hands and they cared about me ⁃ My room for the night was spacious and clean ⁃ Food was delicious and appropriate; half a sandwich and fresh berries and yoghurt , later that night. ⁃ Physiotherapists were encouraging and fun ⁃ Nursing staff were attentive making continual checks and always asking if you needed anything ⁃ Pain was very well controlled and the drugs did not make me dizzy or feel nauseous ⁃ If you pressed your buzzer for assistance, nurses arrived very quickly ⁃ Overall impression was that it is a very well run establishment with happy employees who work well together.

I had a full hip replacement last week here. Outstanding staff and facility. They made me feel like I was spending a day or so at a luxury spa!! Just a quick update ... after a month, walking and biking regularly. Lots of mobility I didn't have before surgery! I am coming across some news stories lately about private vs public med services in Canada. Would be nice to have our political leaders look for solutions that better integrate private and public services together!

I have had the best service from all of the staff at Trillium Spine Centre. I needed acdf (anterior cervical disectomy and fusion) and was referred to Dr. ALSHARANi. The surgical procedure was described to me and she made sure I understood and had no questions. Although my surgery presented with challenges Dr. Alsharani did an incredibke job. I haven't felt this well in years. Would highly recommend. Thank you.

Dr. Duncan was thorough and pleasant. He willingly answered questions, offered his advice and was a pleasure to meet. I felt no rush and no pressure and was satisfied with his professional opinion. Thank you, Dr. Duncan.

Saw Dr. Bhatia and he was excellent. Unfortunately, the support staff is horrible. They don't know what service means let alone service in a healthcare environment for humans. I am sure animals are treated better than they treat their patients. Avoid them at all cost.

It is not possible to communicate to schedule an appointment. With so much advanced technology and they do not even have a telephone line available to contact them.

Terrible service, the worst place, bad attention..... The person in charge of making admission for the colonoscopies is rude, speaks reluctantly, does not respect the patients...... They schedule people on a schedule and I made them wait more than three hours.... The worst clinic I have ever known....

Hello, my lady was there for a few days, I chose to pay for a better service, so that she would be monitored all the time, for fear that something would happen to her at home, and she would not get to the hospital on time, and Lugo de I spent an entire night with pain and fever on November 19, on the 20th they told me that they couldn't do anything and that they suffered a demotion, the doctor failed and left them to die.

Dr. Bartlett and his staff were timely, professional, and courteous. The procedure was performed flawlessly and he kept the mood positive and humorous.

Want to give a shout out to the nurses and staff on the 17th floor. I was briefly there this past Thursday to pick up my uncle Juan who received treatment. It felt very welcoming and calm on the floor. I am assuming that they were nurses (I apologize if they’re not) as they were sitting in the central location and also running around taking care of patients. When we asked for a wheelchairs, they processed the request with a smile. One of the folks even asked how my day was going and asked about the Buffalo Bills. I know this may sound small but it’s the little things that can make a difference. I had some anxiety coming to visit and was exhausted from my 8 hour drive to get here, but all that went away when I entered the 17th floor of this hospital.

The nurses, admin team, patient care team I have no complaints about. I dread thinking how the doctors here have handled my Dads care since the very beginning of his AML diagnosis in April. To begin when he was initially admitted, he received his chemo and was discharged with oral meds that he was told to keep taking upon going home. Doing some basic internet research we discovered he was taking the meds for 20 days longer than he was supposed to. We had a teledoc visit with his doctor, she described it as a “misscommunication” and that he indeed took it weeks longer than he was supposed to. Also during this period, he was doing outpatient in New Jersey and never had any follow up from his doctor until weeks after discharge his initial diagnosis. I do not think this is standard. He was discharged with no Oncology follow ups scheduled or anything. When we finally did talk to his Doctor she said to move to a clinical trial that had not been successful on anyone, nor was it even available. She gave him more chemo that did not make any progress towards treating his disease. To say she was hands off is an understatement. I personally messaged about clinical trials that had success with patients with similar diagnosis and subtypes. We were told to reach out to hospitals that had them while she continuously kept stringing my father along without any real plan besides what was already not working. I asked about transplants she said it could kill him, now they have no viable plan as the chemo and lung issues (related) are too much to overcome. I continue to seek treatments for him. In short, I feel like we experienced a 1980s treatment plan, with no creativity or critical thinking applied to treating my Dad. He is a number to (most) of the doctors. They also will scheduled him for blood transfusions once a week on outpatient when he got them daily in the hospital. Extremely frustrating. Their bedside manner was also… abysmal. Offered little hope this whole time and didnt give confidence to other centers that would have been more capable in treating him. I would not recommend MSKCC and wished he went somewhere like Mayo or MD Anderson. Maybe they can be helpful for more straightforward treatment plans, but my Dad has a very rare subtype that made it complicated. Several doctors come off as thinking they are the end all be all of what is known about my father’s disease. Newsflash - we’re all capable of reading studies that show efficacy of treatments but your heads are too far up your own you know wheres to listen to family. They also give off a vibe of thinking they are the Almighty as well and it breaks my heart to see how they spoke to him and how it affects his mood, graces, and personal outlook.

While I appreciated the procedure being done my beef is this places billing department only affords you 6 months to pay your balance. So even tho I have insurance through my place of employment and reached my déductible prior to surgery, and even though I have been making payments monthly for the remaining 20% ... if my balance isn't paid in full within 6 months their "policy" is to send it to collections. Now I was offered 'financial assistance' IF I submit two or three years of taxes, plus several paycheck stucs. (So basically all of my personal information) which is not only time consuming but also invasive. I'm just a single gal trying to make ends meet. I needed the surgery to prevent further complications down the road so I elected to have it done. Perhaps I missed information prior to getting the surgery? But I NEVER thought that even though I am paying monthly a fair amount towards the remaining balance that I would STILL be threatened with having it go to collections. And just for that reason I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone. Period

The Nurses, CNAs, PTs, & Staff were all AMAZING!!! My mom had knee surgery a week ago and our experience there was great!! Everyone was kind and helpful from admission to post op. I can’t remember everyone’s names but I did take some down! We loved how kind and helpful her nurse Kaylani was!!! The most important part to us was having a Spanish speaking nurse on staff. My mom only speaks Spanish and it was so comforting to us knowing at night she was left with someone she could understand and communicate with! Thank you to Josephina and Nasthja for taking such good care of my mom! The physical therapist, Ruth is incredible!!! My mom adored her and made us feel confident about taking her home!! Special thank you to KASS, CNA!!!! She provides excellent patient care. Spine and Joint hospital provided quality care!

Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital gave me outstanding service and care during my stay. I would also like to thank Dr. T, his wife Kate, and Dr. Kralik for their great skills and knowledge. I'm so thankful my wife and I found these skilled surgeons. I'd also like to thank the nurses and staff who took care of me while there: Debbie, Cathy, Karen, Deanna, Becky, Dickson, Katherine and Veronica! Thanks again. My drive from Lake Havasu was well worth it!

I went in for my first surgery a few days ago and everyone at the surgical centre was great. I felt well taken care of from the moment I walked in. I was extremely anxious and they did everything they could to make me comfortable, and followed up the next day. Thank you to the whole team that worked with me! And an extra thanks to the nurse who held my hand when I was scared 💜

Great staff, everyone was so nice! After a terrible experience 10 years previous at a surgical centre downtown on Burrard, I was expecting the same terrible treatment. Instead, I was so pleasantly surprised! The anesthesiologist, Demitri, gave me a local anesthetic before putting the intravenous needle into the back of my hand which I very much appreciated! All the nurses were kind to me. From start to finish, everyone was so great and treated me well.

Only ten days from diagnosis to surgery to repair my Inguinal Hernia. Dr. Scudamore and his team were amazing. The entire process with False Creek was a pleasant experience largely due to Dr. Scudamore’s ability to listen and understand my concerns, recovery objectives and how I wanted the surgery performed. Open surgery, no mesh, used my own fascia to repair the tear and he also took the time to tie off vessels rather then cauterization. Minimal tissue damage! Can’t say enough good things!

I had a surgery done here recently under the talented hands of Dr David Williamson. I was impressed by everyone I came into contact with. I was a little nervous, and very excited upon arrival. All of the nurses and doctors I talked to made me feel safe and welcome from the moment I walked in. I received amazing care from each and every one. ❤️

Had surgery today at OHSC can't say enough good was looked after extremely well from the moment I walked in and through the surgical process from staff-nurses-Anthesiologist Bruno and Doctor O'Brien. Thank you to all for the best surgical experience I could hope for. Highly recomment OHSC

I went here to ask for Lazer skin care surgery for moderate to medium severe unknown facial scarring… I paid $6,000 for 1500 Needles to be punctured into my skin with some sort of medicine that must have just been sterile water… it actually looks ten times worse than it did before I started; had I not mentioned I had an inheritance; I might not have been sent to a random room…. They might have actually given me the first possible treatment too work for my skin, instead they figured I’d go back for the rest of the 14 other rooms of mechanical devices they had to offer for skin care. WHEN I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR LAZER TREATMENT… when I arrived she just grabbed this huge machine with a needle device (PUHHHWOOOPHTSHHHHHUUUUHHHGHAHGHAGHA) it was a retarded puncture device with a huge needle going in and out of your cheeks and such, completely missing my nose which was half of my worry to begin with. I’m thinking of sueing concidering that treatment isn’t even listed on their website!!! I’m very upset. It looks way worse and with more puncture marks than before :,( HANDS DOWN THE STUPIDEST PLACE TO GO FOR ACNE TREATMENT IN THE WORLD… have fun guys. Get ripped off then!!!

Doctors and nurses were extremely helpful and had a lot of patience with me . Only thing that was an issue was on papers they said arrive at 6am but they didn’t let us in until 6:30 am

I would NOT recommend this place for anyone to go to. Be AWARE if you have a sleep machine, they WILL not take you. This is not a place I will EVER recommend. They are not even worth the 1 star they just received.

The front desk staff was super friendly and the nurses and surgeon were all very kind the day of surgery. Excellent . Thank you

I had surgery with DR Cláudio Kawasaki on my knee at the hospital, I was hospitalized for one night, the food at dinner and snacks were excellent, but not the same as the attention given by the girls and boys, nursing technicians and nurses, super attentive and patient surreal, even with a lot of pain they did everything they could to minimize it and give it all their attention. I recommend it 100%

Excellent physical structure, reception service, wonderful attentive and human nursing team, in the cafeteria in the afternoon the attendant was very polite, calm, super human, I watched and she even knows who the patients are.

My experience was undoubtedly a wonderful show, everything was impeccable from the entrance to the exit, I believe that I will hardly have a treatment like this anywhere else, congratulations to the entire team for a high-end humanized service.

Excellent hospital. Excellent urologist Mario Gonzales rooms to perform glass-glass and others🤗

I’m providing a unbiased and true experience of my most recent hospital visit at UNIBE in Costa Rica. I travel frequently to Costa Rica and had the most pleasant and professional experience on two previous occasions while be admitted to the hospital for long term stays from the doctors to the staff members this is why I chose to return. Unfortunately my most recent experience was negative to say the least from my initial checkin to being discharged as I was appalled with the treatment and level of service provided. The intake personal have absolutely no business being placed into these positions as they lack the customer service skills interacting with the public as it appeared they are unhappy providing even the most basic questions to the patient. Upon being released from my procedure the doctor or not even a staff members took a minute of there time to discuss my diagnosis or even medications if required in person. I was just given a piece of paper which I had so many questions as I was unfamiliar with the medications required and diagnosis provided. I have been acclimated in other hospitals throughout the world upon completing a procedure the doctor or staff member would meet you in person afterwards and discuss there findings also any medications if required even if it’s a minute or two unfortunately this didn’t happen. That particular weekend I had been enduring many unpleasant symptoms as I drove two hours to visit the hospital thinking I would have a positive interaction unfortunately this didn’t become to fruition as I was deeply disappointed. I then asked the admitting personal upon being discharged if I can discuss my results with the doctor or any staff member they said I would need to set an appointment with the doctor and pay additional fees for another date. I was beyond disappointed and infuriated as I would need to return another day to drive another 4 hours in total. Once again the behavior displayed by the admitting personal was unacceptable and discourteous. This will be my last time visiting this establishment as the level of service provided was unacceptable especially of a paying patient. I recommend future travelers or foreigners utilize other hospitals in the area which hopefully would have more of a bedside manner when someone is ill and can conduct themselves in a professional manner.

It is the first time in my life that I pay for parking in a hospital where I am already paying for the service of the place.

All good

Ok

Good.

My review is solely basednon the eait in the ER , as that is the only place we have seen after 3 hours of waiting. It is dirty, gross and the staff all hate humanity. They also have one restroom for the entire ER waiting room which currently houses 20 or so people waiting to be seen.

ZERO STARS IF I COULD!!! Worst experience ever. Father arrived to ER by ambulance around 1 PM for a heart attack!! No doctor sees him until 5 PM. Labs were done, notes taken for a cardiac consult and an echo cardiogram. Notes were taken but orders were never submitted! So the next day was spent in a hospital room with NOTHING being done. Echo finally done at 3PM. Doctor show up later and hasn't reviewed any notes or tests! He tells us now that they can't do the cath until Monday (this is currently Friday!!). If they had treated his heart attack as the emergency it was, they would have done the cath right away. Nurse comes in at night with only 2 of the 6 medications needed for my father. Dosage is wrong! ER miswrote the notes for his medication!! Something very wrong is happening here!! Hoping this place doesn't kill my dad!! Avoid at all costs!! Cleveland Clinic has ruined the hospital!!

Horrible. Horrible experience!! If at all possible avoid this ER. Thought I was doing the right thing by calling 911 for my mother in order to have her seen asap.that might have been the case… but don’t plan on going back to be with your family member. Seriously! Insane the way I was treated. I begged everyone I could to please let me back there to be with my 78 yo mother. “Sorry.. not protocol” zero care from anyone I spoke to. No one cared that my mom was crying for me. They all just kept telling me it’s protocol to wait for an assigned doctor, that they were extremely busy. Well.. I keep pressing the issue and was finally allowed back. To an empty room, almost empty ER.. zero doctors around. Not busy as all. Disgusting the way I was treated. Horrible They literally coukd care less. I’m sick to my stomach over how bad it went down

This hospitals hiring practices are down right racist the hr department is deceptive and i see why this campus has a high turnover rate. If you are a person that speaks up for yourself and don't fit the so called culture don't apply you won't last long they will gaslight, be dismissive and show down right racism in you're face. Look at the rating on culture look at the rating on mangement?. People of color be Forwarned

This review is more from an employment perspective and how the hospital operates behind the scenes. There’s a reason why UCLA is popular… they have money, mostly state of the art equipment, the hospital is clean and well designed but what happens behind the scenes is just plain scary. I worked here for about 3 years and was regularly dealing with high school drama, backstabbing colleagues, and abusive management. When you’re working somewhere that has a reputation, everyone will try to throw you under the bus in order to lift themselves up in front of management. Lies, deceit, manipulation, etc. UCLA is no exception and they did nothing to prevent this. I’ve worked for 4 major hospitals and UCLA is low on that list as one of the worst hospitals I’ve worked in. The culture here is very toxic and I know a handful of people who have also quit for similar reasons to the ones I cited.

ER -great Nurse-amazing Clean hospital -great One problem they are here to make money. All three doctors didn't review meds. I complained about side effects. They don't care. They take 10min and they run away. Complete fraud!!!! Doctors upstairs do not take time to study and you can't locate them. They hide!!! This is not right. doctors need to be available all the time on each floor!!!! All doctors are new. No experience

One of the best hospitals in town Good service and regular ER

Nice hospital

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Very bad service, almost two hours waiting at reception, at the time they said to be here, and there is no one in the department. They like to make the patient a clown

In March 2023, stay in the room at Jaime da Forte hospital for 5 days. Note thousand. All very good. From the cleanliness, the nurses, tasty food, for both patients and companions, the nurses score 1000. Thankful for everything.

Hospital and team of muquiranas, they are truly starving. My wife was starving from 4 pm until 8 pm, due to mistakes made by the planting team. There is a very arrogant and arrogant nurse there.

Terrible phone service. It took me more than 45 minutes for the first person to speak on the phone, adding up to more than 5 calls (as several dropped) and a lot of time listening to "little music". Whatsapp service is also non-existent. It is very difficult to have information about recovering patients, regrettable.

Lack of empathy with patients on the part of reception. We arrived at 4pm, as my husband had a procedure scheduled for 6pm, and according to the instructions received in advance via WhatsApp, we would have to be at the hospital 2 hours before the time given by the doctor to carry out the administrative procedures, the time being documented by the surgeon at 6pm. An attendant asked to wait, as they would call by name. At 6:05 pm we went to question the delay in being seen, and were informed that the surgery was scheduled for 9 pm and that it was not a priority. Therefore, my first experience at the hospital was unpleasant until they showed no interest or concern for the time we were waiting. I cannot direct the complaint to the attendant in question as they do not have identification on their uniform.

Night nurse Robson, totally unprepared, passed, my wife underwent a procedure in this hospital and was very poorly treated by this professional, even he and nurse Renata were just making fun and laughing at my wife. Total disregard. I would never recommend this rubbish.

There is perfect and amazing nurse in this hospital that make me feel wanna sick everyday, so he can caring me well everyday too for sure. With all of my love Mr. Martin Rojas. You are the best nurse ever

We're here now and we've had a wonderful experience. Remember with all these negative reviews that you're more likely to leave a review if you're upset, and less likely to leave a nice review if you're satisfied, like this one. We're foreigners on vacation here. We were treated fairly and promptly. We were able to speak English to two staff members during our time here. I guess I won't go into our personal medical records, but expect to pay around $50 USD (September 2022) for your initial consultation. The prices have been fair and reasonable. The staff was kind and helpful. Everyone did their best to make us comfortable and helped us understand what was going on.

Like any overcrowded and messy public hospital, just a bit cleaner and better equipped. Fair enough if you go private or thru a third party insurance. Sign in the Hospital's insurance system at your own peril, a shameful scam they call Health Plan (Plan de Salud). Mind the difference, it could cost your life

Staff are friendly, courteous and very helpful. I was discharged from other hospital and was advised to wait for call after 18 hours of excrutiating pain, I was sent home with nothing just that re-assuring words from not-so-friendly nurse that "doctor will just call me" and Leukocytes already almost doubling, CT and UTZ both showing abnormalities, as a healthcare provider myself, knowing something is already wrong, decided to go to Sunnybrook. The moment you enter ER, you will greeted by friendly old lady who will assist you on their process of registration. ER nurses are very friendly and doctors will let you feel you're human with feelings. They're all efficient and knowledgable. I was admitted shortly after and did not wait long. I will be forever be grateful.

September 6, 2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Today, I had an appointment with my MS doctor at Sunnybrook. Having been here for appointments in the past, I've always been impressed with the high-quality service they provide. Parking is conveniently located near the front entrance, and there are nearby pay stations for easy access. Inside, they have hand sanitizing stations and provide masks, and you'll find plenty of helpful staff to answer any questions and guide you through the hospital. Wheelchairs are also readily available at the entrance. I have the utmost satisfaction with Dr. Lee, who consistently takes the time to address all my questions and ensures I have a clear understanding of my medical plan. I feel incredibly fortunate to have access to such excellent healthcare services.

Visited Sunnybrook Hospital as a guest of a patient. Volunteer staff was very helpful and able to guide us to the correct wing of Hospital. There is an ATM on the 1st floor close to the information desk. There are hand sanitizing throughout the hospital and at the main entrance there is also a self dispensing mask station which was very convenient. Gift store had very friendly staff and there was such a wide variety of toys, puzzles, t-shirts, stationary, greeting cards and everything in between alongside some gadgets. The areas of the hospital visited were very well kept.