MUSKEGON, Mich. — Community members in Muskegon are continuing to voice their frustrations about long wait times at Trinity Health Muskegon.
Deron Clark, a Muskegon resident, said his 73-year-old mother is currently being treated at Trinity Health for a "massive" heart attack. He said her EKG was a day and a half old when they read it and discovered the problem.
When they arrived, Clark's mother was placed in the emergency room where staff began running tests on her.
"That's where she's been for the last 21 hours," Clark said.
He said he's frustrated because his mother is still waiting for a room, and that he feels a facility such as Trinity Health should have rooms available for people in his mother's condition.
This comes after community members began sharing stories of long wait times for admissions.
"She is still in the ER, just massive chaos going on around her, that she should have had a room a long time ago. Absolutely, and there's other horror stories in this hospital, in the city, about people, same situation, but we can't get an answer," Clark said.
Trinity Health Muskegon released a statement saying while they're doing their best to ensure patients are cared for, they're experiencing the same staffing shortages as hospitals across the country.
Clark says his mother was taken to Trinity Health for their renowned heart program.
"She's in the best hands with that, but it's the timeline, that is what the major deal is," Clark said. "They need to step up and run this right."
Trinity Health Muskegon's full statement:
"The doctors, nurses and all staff of Trinity Health Muskegon are working hard to ensure the best possible patient experience for everyone who comes to us for care. Like most health systems across the state and country, we are challenged with a high volume of patients requiring longer stays in the hospital, coupled with staff shortages that are impacting timely access. We continue to work through these realities to maintain safe and high-quality care and ensure the best possible patient experience for those who come to us for care. We are also aggressively recruiting nurses and clinicians to join our team. Job openings are posted on www.trinityhealthmichigan.org/careers/west-michigan.
Patients presenting to our Emergency Department for care are triaged and the sickest patients are rapidly evaluated. When volumes peak, patients with lower level complaints may experience a wait. We have implemented multiple items to rapidly assess patients such as having a provider in triage.
Making a visit to the Emergency Department should be for severe symptoms or life-threatening conditions. For those experiencing minor medical needs, we ask that they first contact their primary care physician or a nearby urgent care."
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