Frederick Memorial Hospital - Frederick, MD Review

The following is my opinion based on the care I have had and have personally seen.

I have been a patient at Frederick Memorial Hospital.  My first child was born here.  I have had to take relatives here at least a dozen times.  It is by far the WORST hospital I have been in ANYWHERE!

The ER is NOT staffed by the hospital, but by another group.  I have NEVER been there when they have enough staff on duty.  They will not call more staff unless they are behind at least two hours - FOR THE EMERGENCY ROOM!  If you go to the ER, expect to be there for AT LEAST 8 hours.  If you are going to be admitted, 12-14 before you will be in your room.  If you arrive by ambulance, that only means you will be on a gurney in the hall waiting rather than in the waiting room.

 Parking.  What's that?  If I wanted to open up a 2,500 square foot shop across the street, I would be required by law to have more shopping than what they have.

Construction.  It is ALWAYS under construction, but nothing is improving - especially security.  Security is a joke.  The rent-a-cops have a attitude and break the rules (posted signs) all the time.  They are more interested in throwing their "authority" around that actually providing security.

I have yet to see a clean bathroom.

Patient food.  I do not see how a patient is supposed to recover when they are getting fed the plastic garbage that is so overcooked and stone cold by the time it gets to the room.  Where are the health inspectors when you need them?

Patient care?  Some of the caregivers really try hard, but they cannot cover all the patients they are given.  It is physically impossible.  It is NOT their fault.  For a non-profit organization, I want to know where all the money goes, because IT IS EXPENSIVE to go there.

Billing.  Not that is prompt!  That arrives at your home before you do.  The problem is that it is NOT itemized.  There is just a total.  You have to threaten a lawsuit just to get an itemized bill.  Be advised.  Go over it with a fine tooth comb.  Mine had items than were not performed.  Again, a lawsuit had to be threatened before they would remove the charges!

You really have to be out of your mind to go there.  That is why I now drive to Baltimore for my health-care.  I'm too scared I will die if I go back to Frederick Memorial Hospital.  This is not based on a bad experience but about 20 years of bad experiences.  I have yet to have a good one.  I urge you to be careful if you go there and if you do, have someone with you at all times.  Be forceful and ask questions of EVERYONE who comes in.  I have stopped many mistakes that way.