Morristown Medical Center

I never write reviews, however, this was one of the most traumatic experiences I have been through. Atlantic Health used to be such a wonderful hospital, one of the best, but now they are overcrowded, understaffed and are not individualizing the patients' needs.

I am frequently at the Morristown facility due to many autoimmune conditions that I struggle with, and most of my specialists have privileges there. I have never received such horrible treatment as I have during this experience. A quick rundown: I started not feeling well and having stomach pains back in September. I visited the ER on September 16.

They told me there was nothing wrong. I returned home. Same thing on September 30 and November 7. Fast forward to November 16, I was in such agony that I asked my husband to just go over to Newton because it is closer to where we live, and I couldn't make it in the car.

I was admitted, and after a slew of tests, I was diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. Some of these tests included, CT scans, x-rays, exploratory surgery, endoscopy, and an NG tube. I was discharged on November 22 under the notion that it was not an actual obstruction but that I had something called ileus and that my bowels are just moving slow. That was on a Friday.

By the next evening, Saturday the 23rd, I was back in agony. On November 25, I returned, but to Morristown. My Gastroenterologist and my Surgeon both have hospital privileges there so I thought it would be optimal that I was where they attend. First, I had a dreadful wait in the ER, where under the new process that was implemented, they herd all sick patients around like cattle, and I still had more than a 24-hour wait to get into a room upstairs after I was told I was being admitted.

Then I cannot even tell you how many people tried to get an IV in me when I told them numerous times I do not have good veins and they should probably look in my file since I am frequently there for one or more of my autoimmune conditions, and it is necessary if I am staying, to have a midline. Again, more CT scans and more x-rays, saying the same exact thing: persistent small bowel obstruction. I am left to sit in a room with really no answers. I explained to all the teams I met with that in 2013 my surgeon performed a Nissen Fundoplication and I really thought that they should explore that because I was burping up a lot of acid and bile.

It felt like I might have a hiatal hernia again and nobody wanted to acknowledge how I was feeling and what my body was saying. The whole time I was there the only treatment I received was IV fluids and pain medication. This is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life and then after a couple of days of this, Dr. Spall, a hospitalist who doesn't know me from Adam, tells me today (November 28) that this is something I'm going to have to deal with as an outpatient and calls me a narcotic seeker!

I am highly offended and disgusted. By the way she treated me, judged me and slandered me. I am in the worst pain I have ever been in my life and still am. I'm sitting in my bed crying at the moment because of the pain.

The last thing I am is a medication seeker! I just want to feel better. When I go to another hospital who treats me with some dignity and their doctors care enough to want me to feel well, I will be taking action. I am not sure what happened at your facility, but your hospital used to be a place I felt safe.

However, now I feel like I was treated very poorly, and you have very little value for my life. You have also taken away my trust, and I'm not sure that I even want to go through this again.

April 28, 2024

On July 5, 2023, my husband Allan Guglielmi and myself, walked into the gates of *** at Morristown Hospital.

Allan was getting a prosthetic hip replaced, due to an infection caused by BCG treatment for bladder cancer. Little did we know he would never come out.

The operation went fine. They were not able to replace the hip as of yet due to the severity of the infection. I saw him for a few minutes, as it was 10PM. I would return the next day. He was doing fine his spirits were good. He was eating, except he couldnt hold the fork or knife with the splint they had on his one hand for the vein blood pressure. This was not good if he didnt hold his hand and arm a certain way the blood pressure was not good and bells went off. He was scheduled for another operation on the following Tuesday. They took him to OR, only to have him return as he had a rash. He was allergic to the medication for the infection in the hip. He went up again on 13 to clean out the wound. Still could not put spacer in due to infection and fluids. Went up again the 19th of July. This time when I went to see him, I believe it was Davino Floor, he was a mess. Breathing was labored and he looked horrible. I asked the nurse what was wrong. He said he had too much medication. I wanted to know why I wasnt called. They said they were going to. I wanted to know why the room was such a mess. Urinal on the floor needles on bed and table, bloody gauze pads. He said he would clean it up. Meanwhile a floor doctor came in and asked if he had a DNR. I was shocked. He said Ive seen this before they dont make it. He should have a DNR so he doesnt suffer. I called our son and he came right up. Also, they told me that he had been overdosed on Oxycodone. They had to give him Narcan twice. We kept talking to him and tried to keep letting him know we were there. Later on in the evening he started to recognize us and speak a bit.

Please note during all this time he never was taken out of bed. The therapy they gave him was a joke.

His legs were so swollen he couldnt move them by himself. He only was out of bed once. He was in severe pain.

He went down to Gagnon again. He liked the room but was in severe pain. This time they put in a pic line. Well from here on he went down dramatically. On July 30 he had a temp. I asked if it was the pic line. Oh no that wouldnt cause it. He wasnt eating well. Aug 1 doing worse gave him food and drink had a temperaturethey said he had a slight pneumonia. They took blood as usual but found no sepsis.

I had a bad feeling, left work and went early to see him I believe it was August 2nd. I looked down the hall and there were Doctors and Nurses all around his door. I went in to find him lying with his head down and feet up. There were Doctors and Nurses in his room with all kind of machines. I asked why no one called me, but received no answer. I asked what was wrong and received no answer. He was moved to ICU. He did better there but was in much pain.

Aug 3rd he couldnt eat were taking him down for CT scan. At 3AM he went down. Aug 4th. could have food till 9am will take him for operation. He wasnt feeling well, but was hanging in. More medication was put in the him and he had drains in the leg. The leg was cut from the top of his thigh almost to his knee. He was having difficulty breathing when I left on the 7th. They gave him some breathing help with oxygen. When I went back on the 8th he was in ICU, still never notified me. They had to intubate him and was on fentanyl. On Aug 9th he had a bronchotomy still on fentanyl. During all this, I was never told what was wrong. I was not told anything. All they kept telling us was the he was very sick. He didnt know us when he came out of the induced coma.

He finally recognized me. Wanted to call a few friends. Made me feel like he was getting better. Went to Gagnon again on the 13th. They were going to try to get him to rehab. On Aug 15th. Trouble breathing back to the ICU and intubated. He was on Heparin as something must have happened to his heart after all of this. I asked the Dr in ICU not to poke him anymore. They took blood tests every few hours. They had nowhere to get blood from he was so swollen. He said they had to do blood tests, as he was on heparin, that they were pumping directly into his heart. I said to take him off. He said he could get a blood clot and die. I said lets weigh this, blood clot or brain hemorrhage. Seems the same to me *** die either way. One of the night Doctors told me he wasnt going to make it. I asked the other Doctor In the morning, he said that Dr should never had said that to me. He suggested a tracheotomy as having him intubated is not good. The boys and I spoke about it and decided to let them to it. I believe it was Aug 23rd they put the trach in and later on that day or the next the feeding tube. They also made us feel as though it was only temporary, the trach and feeding tube. We really thought he was going to get better. He didnt even know it was our anniversary on the 28th

He was doing better so they put him on the Gagnon floor. On the 29th., a woman from Palliative care stopped in. She mentioned having him moved there. She said he probably should be in Hospice cause hes very sick. His son and I were shocked she said hospice, all along we were led to believe he was going to get better. It would take time and he would need a lot of care but he would get better. I went on the 30th., he looked gray. I asked him what happened he shrugged his shoulders. When a nurse came, she said his trach tube detached. It must have been for a while, cause, he could breathe a little without the tube in. Bells went off constant on all the floors, no one ran to see if someone was in distress. Our older son came in from Florida and he was happy to see him.

I received a call from the hospital around 9am on Aug 31st. (first call I ever received) they wanted to know if he had a DNR. I didnt know what was going on. I told her I would let her know. I called the boys and told them to meet me at the hospital. When I got there, I knew he was going to die. I felt hopeless. They said he had sepsis. This is the first time we had heard this. All the tests came back negative. The doctor spoke with us and suggested we take him off the ventilator. We spoke about it and agreed. Everyone was there. They all kissed him. They said he could live for minutes, hours, days it was up to his body. He was lying there and they took all the meds off him except the fentanyl. He was breathing on his own. But the nurse kept pumping the bag of fentanyl in him. The entire bag, he stopped breathing. Thats murder.

This was the first time they called me. They didnt like me, as I reported them. The one Doctor told the Patient advocate I was a *** Two months of *** we were never informed of change or what exactly what was wrong. They never brushed he teeth, combed his hair or shaved him. I tried to do it when I went there at night. I never got to speak with any Doctors, except if they came into the room late. No one ever even tried to help him eat. What kind of facility is this? Not one Doctor ever called me to let me know his condition. They never said anything except he was very sick. Sick with what? He was in there two months and you couldnt figure it out.

Please note this is the best that I can remember and the dates may not be exact. They said he had organ failure, and sepsis, when he died, I looked at my chart it said negative for sepsis. I feel the BCG treatment attacked his entire body and no one knew how to handle this. He was a guinea pig. I am contemplating suing the hospital for negligence.

I just wanted him to get well and come home

Dr. Fatima Dema showed an absolute disregard for patient health outcomes with her laziness, her arrogance and her misinformation.

With 10 years of medical records at her fingertips through epic she refused to prescribe Paxlovid to me, a kidney donor with 90% kidney function. In spite of Pfizers warnings for patients with under 60% kidney function Dr. Fatima Dina thinks she knows better than the drug manufacturer. This kind of lack of medical care is outrageous in the United States in the 21st century.

I now have long term Covid as a result of her bad medical treatment.

She should not be practicing medicine. If you have her as your emergency room physician at Morristown Medical Center run to the nearest exit.

After surgery for a total knee replacement, they said

No beds anvailable on the orthopedic floor and I would have to go to a step down unit with very sick contagious patients.

I refused as I spoke to the Orthopedics for Four went to surgery. Ask what their sentence was.

I was a nurse for 20 years I know how heartbroken operate.. Patient refused,, Then lo and behold, they found a bed on the orthopedic floor in the nursing care is absolutely horrible. Had to wait for an hour to get Help to go to the bathroom. Most of the nurses aides were rude nine months pregnant most of them and said they couldnt help me put my slippers on because they couldnt bend over

Then quit working and start your maternity leave.

Food came cold. They will put the phone and call Bill and reach. It was a horrible orthopedic floor. Dr.s who came in never met me before and I have a cardiac history

.

what a mess

very disappointing in the nursing care

and the overall communication between doctors and nurses.

I

had to wait two hours for a wheelchair to take me down when discharged.

Definitely go elsewhere.

Its about time is Hospital realize I cant charge exorbitant fees and not deliver. Good care.

They are bullies in Morristown emergency

Hate taking names but it is needed RN MEGAN

WORST! Please never opt her as ur nurse. Rude disconnected only when I spoke to other people patients echoed the same sentiments! All I asked her how much longer for CT SINCE WE WERE THERE 6 hrs plus and still the CT WAS NOT DONE STILL WAITING! Instead she called the persons ct scan for more rude excuses and not only she told the CT SCAN PEOPLE HALF THE STORY COVERED HER *** The worst RN I have ever encountered THANK GOD SHE IS NOT A DOC! Zero compassion !!! She could not even handle an elderly lady so many other people came to her rescue ! Megan if you do not like your job, please quit and also the other people over there!!!

Not to mention the lady in the front who was checking people in total waste people were in pain she was indifferent waiting for them to die ! HATE THIS FACILITY!!!

BUT RN LILIANNA IS AN ASSET TO THE FACILITY VERY GOOD DEMEANOR total opposite of RN MEGAN

My husband is an immunocompromised cancer patient. While being treated as an outpatient at MMH, he had a bad reaction. Was immediately taken to the ER by oncology nurses. ER staff was caring and responsive, but halls were overcrowded/obstructed w patients (in gurneys and wheelchairs) because there was a shortage of rooms available for them upstairs.

Due to his immune issues, my H got a proper ER 'room', and spent the night there for observation. Next morning we were told he could go home, but not until the ER Dr. signed off on the discharge.

H had to make an (important) phone call. There was no signal in the room, so a nurse wheeled him further down the hall until he found a signal. When we came back (few minutes later), another patient had been put in the room. Even though he had NOT YET been discharged,

H was left outside to wait in the hall, in a veritable war zone of gravely ill people, for the next two or three hours until they found the Dr to sign the discharge. After that, we went straight home and two days later, we were both sick with Covid! It is now three weeks later he's still testing positive for Covid. Most egregious is that his treatment has had to be postponed twice!

We've been coming to MMH for over four decades. It used to be better than this before Atlantic Health took over. Since then, the culture shifted from honesty and transparency to cover your *** at all cost (emphasis on $$). That's when the problems started too...maybe fifteen years or so? I don't blame the doctors or nurses...they are doing their best under very difficult circumstances.

I blame the Hospital Administrators for knowing about these problems for years, watching them get progressively worse, looking the other way and not doing much of anything. Sick people are our most vulnerable, as are our elderly. Has Atlantic Health been putting. Profits before Patients? If so, they should hang their collective heads in shame!

Medical service may be good, but the hospital is a bureaucratic nightmare in the handling of patients. My wife was taken by ambulance to the emergency department.

Following the routine series of tests she was formally admitted to the hospital. But admission does not come with a room. We have now been in emergency for 23 hours and no room has yet been assigned to my wife. I inquired of the department staff and was told that a several day wait for a room was not unusual.

I tried to talk to someone in administration, but discovered that none are present at the hospital.

I was given a business card for Patient Experience, which was a voice mail site and no response has yet been received to my message. Thus, medical competency may be good, but human treatment is absent.

On June 3 2024, my cardiologist submitted the disc of my angiogram along with a letter explaining that I was in need of arterial stents due to blockage of the arteries. I was given blood thinners by my cardiologist to maintain me until the procedure which was supposed to be performed by Dr.

Dimitrios Karmpaloitos. I patently waited to be called and scheduled. T after two weeks I informed my cardiologist office that I heard nothing from Morristown, They phoned them and were told that they were backed up with patients and I would have to wait some more which I did. After another 10 days I called my cardiologist office again and I was told that the doctor just came back from vacation and I would be called.

She gave me the phone number to Morristown. It took me three phone calls over two days for someone to help me. They made up excuses about people going to lunch and people leaving early for the day and that my calls would be returned which they never were. After I did reach someone today June Friday June 28, she told me I didnt have all the insurances necessary to have the procedure done which was patently false.

She told me I would be responsible for 20% of the bill. No one ever called me early on to discuss insurances or scheduling an appointment. Another employee confirmed to me that I was never scheduled. They just had me on the pay him no mind list.

I called my union and they confirmed that my medical insurances were good for that procedure at that hospital.

They dont realize that by this kind of unnecessary delay because of not communicating with the patient, they can kill someone because of their negligence and delay. I humbly suggest staying away from this place if you are facing critical or life saving surgery of one type or another.

Posting for a friend or anybody who this may concern,

Zero stars! THEIFS.

I WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT ( Thank god I am alive and was able to leave the same day) AND WENT STRAIGHT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WHEN I GOT MY CLOTH BACK THE MONEY IN MY WALLET WAS GONE. I WAS LEFT WITH SIX DOLLARS AND I HAD ROUGLY 500$ IN MY WALLET. I BARLEY DIDNT EVEN GET TO SPEAK TO A NURSE AND COMPLAIN AS SOON AS I SAID MONEY WAS MISSING SECURITY WAS UP THERE BFORE ANYTHING. ITS LIKE THEY PLANNED THIS OUT BEFORE HAND.

THANK GOD I WAS ALIVE AND WELL ENOUGH TO REMEMEBER EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY I HAD IN MY WALLET. TOTAL DISGRACE TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY WHEN I DIDNT EVEN GET CLEANED. I LEFT WITH FIBER GLASS ALL IN MY HEAD AND FACE AND MY MONEY GONE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THIS IS CONFLICTING AND I FEEL TOTALLY DECIEVED AND I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SAY.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND I DONT KNOW HOW ANYONE CAN RELY ON THIS HOSPITAL AFTER EXPERIENCING WHAT I EXPERIENCED YESTERDAY NOT TO MENTION THE LACK OF TREATMENT AND LEAVING MY HEAD THE WAY IT WAS AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOR 5 HOURS NO ONE CLEANED ME AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE I ALMOST LEFT WITH THE NEEDLE THAT THEY USED TO INJECT THE DYE (cat scan I believe its called a catheter?) STILL CONNECTED TO MY VEINS. THEY WERE VERY RUDE ONLY WANTED ME TO STAY RESTRAINT RATHER THAN ATLEAST CLEANING MY HEAD AND MAKING ME FEEL SOMEWHAT COMFORTABLE AND I GET IT ITS PROTOCOL AND I UNDERSTAND BUT TAKING MY MONEY WAS THE CHERRY ON TOP AND IF NO ONE WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS THEN THAT IS INHUMAN BECAUSE I FEEL BETRAYED MANIPULATED AND MISTREATED! STEALING IS WRONG! I SONT CARE WHO THE PERSON IS YOU DONT STEAL FROM PEOPLE ESPECIALLY PATIENTS THAT ARE IN THEIR MOST VULERABLE.

. THIS WAS ABUSE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT AND IT MAKES ME SAD THAT I WAS INDISCRIMINATELY TREATED AND ROBBED AND DID NOT GET MEDICALLY CLEANED CORRECTLY FOR MY CUTS. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOMEONE IS STEALING OUT OF WALLETS FROM THE PATIENTS. I EVEN GOT PERSONAL GOT ON MY ONEES WHEN I GOT THERE AND TOLD THE NURSES WHAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH I SEEMED VULERABLE AND I WISH THE AMBULANCE TOOK ME TO A DIFFERENT HOSPITAL.

I WANT TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR ANYONE BOT GO GO THROUGH THIS. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SIGN OFF ON WHAT YOU CAME IN WITH (because security kept on using it as an excuse that there was no record of my money being there and I agree, that was their way of getting away with it and its disgusting) AND BY ALL COSTS AVOID GOING TO THIS HOSPITAL(any hospital.) HAPPY HOLIDAYS I HOPE THE MONEY WAA WORTH IT BECAUSE GOD DOES NOT FORGET A THING. EDIT** MY SISTER IN LAW CANNOT BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND IS AS DISAPPOINTED AS I AM, CONSIDERING SHE USED TO WORK IN THAT HOSPITAL AND ITS CHRISTMAS AND I STILL CANT GET OVER GET OVER MY EXPERIENCE AT THIS HOSPITAL WHILE I COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LOST MY LIFE(again, thank god I didnt ) I AM ALREADY DEEMED WITH ENOUGH LOOSES, INCLUDING MY CAR. I DIDNT NEED TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS.

ATLEAST HAVE SOME MORALS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

.Morristown Medical Center: A Hospital Divided Between Excellent Nurses and Inattentive Doctors

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

My recent stay at Morristown Medical Center was a frustrating and confusing experience. While the vast majority of the nurses I encountered were truly excellent, the doctors I interacted with were either absent or dismissive.

This stark contrast created a disjointed and ultimately disappointing experience.

Nurses: The Shining Stars

The dedication and professionalism of the nurses at Morristown Medical Center were its redeeming quality. They were attentive, compassionate, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure my well-being. They provided excellent care, answered my questions patiently, and addressed my concerns promptly. I am truly grateful for their kindness and dedication.

Doctors: Absent and Disengaged

Unfortunately, my experience with the doctors at Morristown Medical Center was far less positive.

Despite my repeated requests, I rarely saw the appropriate physicians to address my primary medical concerns. On multiple occasions, I was informed that the doctor was on their way, only to be left waiting for hours or even days. This lack of communication and availability from the doctors led to feelings of frustration, neglect, and ultimately a lack of confidence in their care.

Unacceptable Room Transfer

Further compounding my disappointment was the unexpected transfer from a private room to a shared room. This decision was made without my consent and disregarded my need for privacy and quiet during my recovery.

The shared room environment, unfortunately, turned out to be disruptive and detrimental to my well-being.

Overall Impression

The stark contrast between the excellent care provided by the nurses and the inattentiveness of the doctors created a confusing and frustrating experience at Morristown Medical Center. While I am grateful for the dedication of the nursing staff, the lack of communication and access to appropriate medical care from the doctors left me feeling dissatisfied and unheard.

I had bypass surgery from top surgeon at Morristown Hospitsl. Several things happened before I was released.

A cardiologist came by to introduce him self and suddenly jumped back and was startled. I looked down and saw why. I was covered with blood. Apparently, after being administered a shot I bleed out.

Nurse quickly came in and resolved issue. After 8 days I was about to be released. Fortunately, my ride to pick me up was late. A PT asked if I wanted to walk around before i left.

It was difficult and I started to cough and feel like I couldnt clear my throat. She rushed me back to my room and plopped me down on chair and disappeared permanently. ( when I saw her again days later she was very defensive and never was my PT again). I didnt have my call button and thought she was getting me help.

I looked down and my chest started to expand. It was hard for me to find my call button but finally strained to reach for it. Nurse got on right away and I told her something was terribly wrong. She called code blue and contacted my surgeon who wasnt in.

She got another surgeon on call and did some tests. I was told I

needed emergency surgery which I got 3 hours later. They gave me papers to sign. I called friends and texted because I was in serious trouble.

( I woke up, yes wide awake, during surgery. The pain was unbearable. I could hear instruments being thrown in a metal bucket as the surgeon worked on my heart..felt helpless and pain was unbearable). Could hear nurses talking amongst each other.

Finally after about 5 minutes of absolute torture I felt myself drifting back under. After getting back to a room after intensive care I was told I was given too much blood thinner and I had blood clots removed. I had a lot of transfusions. Later I was told the original doctor had knicked my heart with the clamp and it was repaired.

I Dont know if I was more surprised that the top doctor knicked my heart or the fact they were being honest with me. When I was recovering from second open heart surgery one evening I felt like I was having an anxiety attack so called nurse. It took a while to settle down. The next morning a nurse walked in and said that the reaction you had last night was because I gave you the wrong medicine!

I wonder what it was! Anyway,

my recovery has been long and hard.

Its been .several years and I have had the sternum wire come through my skin on my chest several times. The good news is I did survive and am okI hope.