Health First's Palm Bay Hospital: Emergency Room - Palm Bay, Florida

Brooke

I almost didn't go to this hospital because of the negative reviews. I went and had a wonderful experience. Surely Rodriquez, PA did a great job in treating my illness! The doctor , PA, radiologist, nurses,transportation and front desk were all professional and polite. Let's give our first responders some grace! We go to them for help, Thanks!!

Hannah M.

t really takes a lot for me to post a negative review. I am much more oriented toward leaving positive reviews and building people/businesses up. However, my recent experience warranted warning others about.

I went into my visit after being sick with flu-like symptoms for five days, during which time I was unable to do anything but sleep, be sick, and hydrate. I missed a lot of work hours, which I currently really need, and have hardly been able to take care of any "real life" stuff around the house. After waking up on the fifth day and realizing I was not getting any better, I decided I needed to go to urgent care.

When I showed up, I was the only person in the waiting room. The front desk girl was talking about her personal problems with a coworker and, when a woman came in requesting her husband's medical records, the front desk girl said she did not know where she put them. This should have been my first clue.

After waiting for 45 minutes, I was finally showed to a room. (Again, I was the only person there.) The practitioner who came to see me (after another 15-20 minutes) didn't even look at me before saying, "Nice to meet you," which is funny, because just a month ago she turned me away because she was incapable of stitching up my bleeding finger. I told her my experience, and she said she would prescribe me a pill to "control the symptoms."

Exhausted, in physical discomfort, and deeply aware that "controlling symptoms" is not a cure for something that was probably very curable, I requested that she perform some sort of test to shed a little more light on the situation. I had already been taking over-the-counter medications and doing "everything right" in terms of resting, hydrating, eating bland foods, etc. She made me feel unreasonable for requesting this, but sent someone to draw blood anyway. She also told me she would write me a prescription for something stronger than OTC medicine. Shout out to Adam, the tech who did a great job seeing me as a human while drawing blood.

After they took blood, I went to the pharmacy. The pharmacy said they did not receive the Rx. Nothing too unusual about that, as I had just left the clinic, so I decided to wait a few hours. I went to the pharmacy the first thing in the morning the next day and the doc still hadn't sent over the prescription she had promised to send. I called the office, and spoke to the front desk girl (same one as the day before). She told me she was looking through my chart, and that there was no record of the practitioner sending anything to the pharmacy, and that she saw that I had "been a problem" for the practitioner. (While I definitely expressed my disappointment that the practitioner was not interested in helping me find the root of my illness but rather wanted to superficially prescribe me a lateral move Rx for managing my symptoms, I also did apologize if I came across as harsh and explained it was because I was on my last leg, physically, mentally, and emotionally--AS I'VE BEEN EXTREMELY ILL.)

She was no help whatsoever, and basically said she couldn't do anything because the practitioner from the day before (I believe her name is Kelly) was not in and therefore could not send the prescription. When I did not concede to this as a final answer, I was put on the phone with Amina (?) who said she would put me through to the practitioner on duty.

The reason I am giving two stars instead of one is for Jill, the doctor who actually looked at my circumstances, followed through with sending a prescription, and clarified that my results showed that yes, I am indeed fighting a bacterial infection that needs medication in order to go away. She was extraordinarily patient with me and understanding of my poor experience with the negativity at the front desk and the lack of follow through with the other practitioner.

If you are in need of medical care, don't waste your time at this location with anyone, unless Jill is working. The whole "do no harm" thing seems to be taking a back seat to what is convenient and easy for most of the staff.

Michael M.

I was visiting from Ohio. I started having breathing issues. I went to the ER. I was admitted and got the best of care. The staff from the Dr s to the cleaning staff was very friendly and helpful. Best care I've had.

Erica C.

From the moment I walked into the ED department of Palm Bay hospital I had a warm friendly welcome. My RN Kimberly that took care of me is kind, warm compassionate and caring. She listened to me, and wanted to get down to the route of the problems and symptoms I was having. She gave me alot of insightful advice, she made sure she was diligent and checked me on me multiple times throughout my visit. Asking if I needed anything. When she gave me my ultrasound results she teared up with me telling me I have a pregnancy that was viable after having multiple miscarriages. She is a sweetheart, and an angel sent from above who really cares and takes pride in her work. I am so grateful to have had her as my nurse. Thank you 1,000 times Kimberly for all you’ve done for me! ❤️❤️❤️

Lynz

The good: I dropped a 25 lb weight on my toe and split it in half. Service was pretty quick. The staff was caring, and attentive. The attending Dr, Stephanie Rittenhouse did an excellent job of sewing my toe back together. The orthopedist said it was the best ER repair job he'd seen. The Xray tech was kind and gentle. The attending nurse was absolutely awesome, talking through the procedure.

The bad: I bled profusely in the parking lot, and let the front desk staff know there was blood in the ER entrance and it was still there after I left a few hours later. Seems like a bit of a health hazard.

The ugly: because of covid the security guard at the door made me leave my 12 year old son unattended and unsupervised outside of the hospital. Thank GOD my sister was close by and was able to come get him or I might have had to choose between getting my toe repaired or letting my child sit outside by himself. The hospital policy is one visitor per person in the ER and I was not in a fit state to be able to argue with the security guard (I kept going in and out of lucidity) when he told my son to leave the ER entrance. This seems like a huge security issue, and potentially a lawsuit waiting to happen if a minor is injured because they are left outside, separated from a parent.

angel D.

My family and I were hit by a BIG rig truck and brought into the ER by ambulance. The ER staff are so insensitive. My wife grabbed new gloves from the ER because she is immunocompromised and one of the RN's threatened to physically remove them from her if she did not take them off. She refused and they called security on her. While my daughter and I were getting X-Rays, they said for her to leave my son who is an autistic, non-verbal child alone in the room. They said "No one wants to steal him". They were yelling at her and had no empathy, sympathy nor any concern for her well-being. This has caused my wife extra emotional distress, knowing that she already had high blood pressure because of the crash. These unprofessional individuals do not deserve the title of RN. Avoid this hospital at all costs. They care more about money than about the patient's well-being.

timothy B.

I spent over two hours in the emergency room having short of breath chest pains and tightness of the chest was never seen or had my vitals checked and I watch people that came in an hour after me having a vitals checked and being seen worst hospital ever I suggest go to Holmes regional if you don't want to die

Lauren C.

Today was my first time ever coming into this hospital. I ended up going to the ER. I walked in and was immediately helped. It wasn’t busy, they had wheelchairs if you need at the front doors! That helped tremendously. I went in for very bad pain and they ran multiple tests. Gave me medication to help and prescribed me what I needed. I have gone into many doctors, specialists, and ER’s for the same reason I was there today. They were the most patient and kind and didn’t dismiss me and send me on my way with no tests ran, basically, good luck. Gone within an hour. This one I was there for around 5 hours because they took the time to help me. Ran many tests. Checked in multiple times to see how I was feeling/doing or if I needed anything. They were very kind. I appreciate everyone who helped me today.