St. Joseph's Hospital - Tampa, Florida

michelle M.

I came to the emergency room on Veterans Day with intense pain in my side at about 1:00 a.m.. the person at the desk in the emergency room got me a wheelchair and told me to wait in which I did having no other choice. The waiting room only had two other people in it at this hour and yet I sat in pain for about 2 hours which I had asked several times if somebody could help me and get me looked at. Once that finally happened my experience was completely different than that in the emergency room. The emergency room didn't seem to have a sense of urgency and yet my appendix was about to rupture so I wasn't very happy with my experience at 1:00 a.m. in the emergency room but after I got a CT scan and some pain medication and was admitted to an actual room the whole experience was completely different. The surgeon told me I would be having my appendix removed the resident was there to reassure me and go over procedures and what was going to happen. As I waited in my room my nurse and my nurse Tech were amazing they took great care of me until they came to get me for surgery. I did have surgery that morning to remove my appendix and that went extremely well with no complications. The recovery room was comfortable and well monitored and they kept me until my vitals we're stable enough to let me go. When I did return to my room, they had some Jello and chicken broth waiting for me as well as some fluids they administered my pain medication and made sure to take my vitals frequently as my blood pressure wouldn't stay Within a normal range. They were there throughout the day and night anytime I needed assistance or press the button they were very attentive someone was there within minutes. Both the day crew and the overnight crew were wonderful, I would recommend a Hospital stay at St Joseph's to anybody who needs medical care, because it was clean, they were respectful & responsible, it was everything that a hospital experience should be... with people checking on me frequently and making sure that I was okay and able to be discharged two days later.

RA P.

Did not receive appropriate care. I almost did died prior to EMT arriving in time to transport me to St. Joseph's
. died.

The medical staff knew my heart rate a great deal lower that it should have been and an EKG, heart monitor confirmed this.

Doctor wanted a stress test and ECG which I luckily refused.
Nest day I transported again but this time to Advent Hear who provided the correct diagnosis and I had pace maker implanted.

Based on my experience you can make your judgement as to whether you would utilize this hospital.

A. M.

We came down to Florida to help sort things out for my uncle, who was a patient in your hospital. While we were there, we saw a great response time (usually) of nurses to the room. A nice lady housekeeper came every day, I think, to clean. The cafeteria was nice.

My main beef here, why 3 stars instead of 5, is that the hospital staff didn’t seem to care about sending my uncle home or somewhere else soon after stabilizing him. He was there for 6 or 7 weeks. They didn’t care to research his medical records until the hour we arrived, 6 weeks in. They said they didn’t know that he had family. What does it matter if he has family or not? Why would there be any reason to treat anyone differently? Before we went in person, a nurse told us that his rights were taken away and that someone from the state was handling all of his care now. It’s strange how everything cleared up when we walked through the doors… We were prepared to get an attorney… already called one, in fact…

Now, a nurse made a rude face about a family friend who has a pituitary tumor and talks really fast and stutters… The nurse snorted suggesting our friend does drugs… She doesn’t. I think more compassion is necessary here.

Also, the communication during our stay was not good. We were told he was going home, then we were told he wasn’t. Then we were told he was going to a nursing home, even though we had prepared the house for him and he had a caregiver. The whole situation seemed fishy. I don’t think the doctor spoke to us when he was in the room. He should have introduced himself. He should have told us the plan. We were never given any updates, even when we asked for them. I think if your hospital would have told us that he was going home and then taken him somewhere else, we would have taken action against you — because why? Why can’t you be straightforward and communicate in a proper way?

Your hospital needs to work on building a care team for patients leaving the hospital. Apparently there isn’t one. You need to do this now—- 2 years ago—- Why don’t you have this organized? It was very strange and frustrating, and I’m glad we were there to support my uncle. You need to step it up. I hope you do.

Dianellys L.

Went there for my grandmother who has mild Alzheimer’s and the ER wasn’t as busy. Took their time with her and made sure she was comfortable and thoroughly explained everything. The nurses were all very nice and accommodating. She ended up being admitted and during it all she was never anxious. They all did a really great job with my grandma.

Eileen M.

I have been to the ER multiple times between me and my kids, and this time I was admitted. Every single person involved in my care in every single department, from ER to imaging to floor to procedure to recovery, was AMAZING: kind, caring, happy to answer questions or help. I never felt like a burden, I never felt dismissed, I never felt like they were rolling their eyes at me; even when they thought something was likely NBD they took me seriously and made sure (and when the tests showed it was a big deal, they immediately accepted that and pivoted instead of doubling down on their original assessment). Truly I have interacted with a lot of medical professionals, and not only were these some of the best, they were universally wonderful across the board. I cannot recommend this facility highly enough.

J L.

I have lived in Tampa, Fl almost thirty years and I have been to this hospital a few times. I can say the last two times one day and the next. The nurses who checked me were very nice and sympathetic and treated me with kindness and patience that also includes the nurses the first day and second day who took me to have a scan. To check a lump I found after being released. After that then everything was different I was treated with such little respect I felt I was being treated like a Drug attic like a vagrant trying to get a fix but in fact I was in a motorcycle accident and I ended up with a fractured clavicle and a fractured rib the next day I returned b cause I found a big bruised lump about the size of a gulf ball or more so I returned to the hospital in which the hospital scanned me and told me it was bruise. I asked the Dr to call in a stronger prescription and I was told that’s all they could do. Now I don’t know if anyone understands how painful a fractured rib or clavicle is, it is Painful! Then they send a nurse to check me out. I believe they sent her! On purpose because she was clearly rude disrespectful and has been doing a job she has no business doing. talked to me like I was an annoying dog begging for food. From what she showed me she was a Terrible person who hates her job.

Sharlee C.

Dr. Spirakis (Audiology) is not just an incredible doctor but he is also an incredible human being. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. It was an absolute joy meeting him and his staff. He is so personable and caring, and takes time to answer all of your questions. He and his staff were so sweet and patient with my son. They over exceeded my expectations.

Kevin B.

Had a brain injury and was released from hospital to soon. had to be readmitted next morning back into hospital for 7 more days i thinks they just wanted to get ride of me do to it being a worker comps case just my guess. No one would listen to my wife daughter or son saying this is not him he is not right. but no one cared this is very very poor way of treating someone with a brain injury. And my wife never saw or spoke to any doctor caring for once again very poor care And wife not given any info on how to care for me expect to just read the discharge papers SHOULD TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED.. And to be released and having to be taken back in less then 24 hours something is very wrong with the way i was treated. I would not recommend anyone to go to St.Joseph Hospital for anything.