Saturday, April 23, 2011

Dear Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington, Wa

Peter Hutchinson - your letter regarding my concerns about my experience in your ER department is more insulting than the experience itself. Over the last 7 years I've dealt with a few bad experiences, but no one has ever been as rude & insulting as Dr. Peet was to me that night. 

In this small town, I don't have many emergency choices. "...his intention was to treat you with with respect, but..." Really? Apologies do not contain "but". "...in spite of our best intentions there is often some level of misunderstanding." Again, really? Then I would say this is a big RED FLAG for your hospital to truly consider how you communicate with patients. Medical care should not include "misunderstanding". 

I'm posting this on a public venue in hopes it'll get your attention. Clearly my phone call wasn't enough. You might consider including a way for people to reach the hospital on your website - other than just the phone. In that expensive new facility I'm sure someone, somewhere has an email.