Letter: Experience at emergency room was very frustrating

Editor,

My first experience in the WhidbeyHealth emergency room was in May 2014, when I first arrived on the island as a resident.

I was very sick.

The first doctor tried to find out what was wrong and was concerned and attentive. He left at 11 p.m. and I still did not have a diagnosis.

The doctor working from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. refused to check me. The nurse kept asking him and he continued to refuse, not only to attend to me, but to do another test that she requested.

I was very sick all night, and the nurse stayed with me, very frustrated. I was discharged at 7 a.m., and still no diagnosis. I saw the doctor in the hallway and he told me to get an over-the-counter medication.

I met with human resources and submitted a letter with full details of my experience. The doctor is still there.

By the way, I went to Everett Clinic the next day, told the doctor all my symptoms, and he looked at me as if to say, “what an easy diagnosis.” He told me I had had a severe case of food poisoning, a diagnosis both doctors never made.

I hope I never have to go to that ER again.

Leslie Improta

Coupeville