Gulf Coast Medical Center - Fort Myers, Florida

Bart

I was admitted through the ER and I don't even have the words to express just how impressed I was with the staff here. They were clearly well trained and knowledgeable. They were efficient, yet thorough. The triage team was amazing. They anticipated each other's moves and they were able to get me taken care of quickly. Every test has been explained before it was performed. The hospitalist and specialists worked together and were in close contact. They were able to provide my meds (which is a surprise since it's a specialty medication and quite expensive). I was expecting to share a room with an elderly combative patient, but I didn't. I was given a single room and it was like a suite in a hotel. I was just blown away. I have a medical background and I catch mistakes, but the performance here has been second to none. The food isn't that great, but it's edible and I e had worse. Any time I needed anything nurses and techs were right on it. They gave me clear instructions for using everything in the room (TV, phone, call button). They gave me an abundance of pillows and blankets. I have really been through the ringer the last couple days. I got to experience my second LP. I didn't even feel it. Not at all. I'm not even sore from it. I've been in many different healthcare settings and this is by far one of the top hospitals I've been to. My nurses have helped keep my spirits up. It's really a pleasant experience for unpleasant times. If I ever have to get admitted to a hospital again, this will be my first choice. I'd also like to say I've seen this place at its worse during COVID. It's been a completely different experience. When I was first here I walked out after waiting 19 hours with no food stuck in a chair in the hallway. It's really great to see that things have slowed down a bit for them. I'm going to tell my friends to come here. They've earned my trust and that's a hard thing to do, I don't generally trust doctors or hospitals because of my background and what I witness at places. People make mistakes, ppl fall through the cracks. I'm really happy I made the decision to choose Gulf Coast. They've made a difficult time a lot easier to handle. You don't get that often.

Emily D.

The staff here are so amazing at what they do and are so caring for their patients, especially in the ICU. They were incredibly kind to my dad during his stay. The surgeons here are some of the best in the area and it really shows! This is the go to hospital if you want the best care.

Katherine E.

I want to give 4 stars... but we're STILL WAITING on the ER team to tell us what's next. It's been 6 hours since we got here after being told by his VA Primary Care that an ER visit was necessary due to a lab result.

Gulf Coast staff have been kind, professional, and helpful. They can't control the timing of more urgent patients; apparently we keep getting bumped down the line due to trauma patients.

Conclusion - if your Dr tells you to go to this ER on a Friday afternoon because you are "severely anemic"; be prepared to stay in the waiting room all night. And be prepared to not eat real food - you'll never know if you have enough time to go to the cafeteria.

Ron Z.

I was transferred from Health Park to the Neurological wing at Gulf Coast (2nd floor west) and could not have been more pleased with the care and services I received! The nurses, the aides, housekeepers, physicians, physical therapists, and occupational therapists were all reliable, compassionate, and eager to serve. Even the meals and servers were very good. I would definitely choose to return to Gulf Coast in the future.

Audrys M.

I can understand people leaving bad reviews because when you are sick you are overall not happy, but I can say when you are in trouble you can't to find better place with extremely professional emergency care. I come there with terrible leg swelling. After blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds doctors find problem with my kidney. My legs blood artery is blocked with clusters. I'm verry lucky to get there and stayed alive because cluster could move at any time and block the lungs or heart. I'm very grateful surgery doctors, assistants and nurses. Separate I want to say thank you for room 7224 nurses Lupe and Gertrude. Nurse leader Andrea. Thank you for all Gulf Coast Medical Center employees.

Marie G.

If I could give no stars and still review I would.
Came into ER at 7:30 with a friend who was bleeding from a sliced finger. Now I don’t mean a small cut where a few stitches would have worked. I’m taking half a finger missing and bone visible bleeding. 7 hours we have been here and yet to be seen! This is not acceptable. Others sitting in that waiting room for 10,11 and 12 hours. Some staff were quite friendly and apologetic while others were rude and nasty with people. Brushing people off, telling them they would be better off leaving, telling them no one told you to wait! Unacceptable!!!
Now I understand there are going to be the nonsense visitors but there are people still sitting here VISIBLY ILL, VISIBLY in pain.
Asked a nurse at the nurses station when we would be seen. She told us when I’m done here………. Done with what? Your conversation? Are you writing a novel? Cooking thanksgiving dinner? You sure as hell aren’t dealing with any patients. You’re not on the phone with anyone. You’re not doing anything!!!

DO BETTER!
Do better for your patients.
Do better for the ones who trust you.
Do better for the ones who need your help.
DO BETTER!

10/10 would not recommend!

If you are In real need of medical care find somewhere else to go.

F G.

The communication among the nursing staff is horrible. Many of them are dismissive, inconsistent, and lack follow-through. Each day brings a different nurse, and it’s evident that there is little to no communication between them. When I ask for information, I often find that the nurses and CNAs reassure me that they will follow through yet they don't, they are either uninformed or reluctant to share details, leaving me in the dark until the last minute.

While the head nurse and supervisors have been somewhat helpful, I often find myself having to speak to multiple people just to resolve a single issue for my family member. This process is frustrating and chaotic. The lack of coordination among the staff is frustrating.

Every time I need to address an issue, it feels like I have to pester them and double-check everything as if I were their supervisor just to get anything accomplished. I shouldn't have to chase people down to ensure my concerns or issues are addressed. While I recognize that some nurses do seem to care and the medical care appears to be adequate, the overall communication and coordination are seriously lacking and need immediate improvement.

jadi R.

It is not valid to give an Estella when the care is poor, the worst I have seen in this great country. With gallbladder problems, swelling, bleeding and severe pain, I could only say that I had to wait without knowing how long this long wait was. After 8 hours I decided to leave and the nurse just told me "ok good luck" as if my life did not matter after they swear to help patients throughout their career. While the emergency room is full, the nurses are walking the halls, there are dirty bathrooms and no chairs for the patients and there is a bad attitude from all the staff. It is a terrible place.