DCH Health System: Emergency Room

My teenage daughter has severe abdominal pains, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, in and out of consciousness, and losing all color in her face and lips turning blue. I rushed her to the nearest ER and wheeled her in. She started to go into shock and none of the staff were bothered to even come over to check on her (they were laughing and socializing at the desk while several patients in the room were writhing in pain). I stood there holding her in the waiting room for about 20 minutes before I decided to take her somewhere else. We are new to Tuscaloosa (and Alabama) and so this was our first time at this place. We are, unfortunately , not new to emergency rooms as my daughter has a long history of lymphoma and Hashimoto disease— so we are very aware how competent hospitals are managed. Thankfully I found the NEW Northport walk in clinic (the one next to Great American Cookies). As soon as we entered they rushed her to the back to start IVs, blood tests, and check vitals. They were the kindest, caring, and professional staff! Thank God we found them!! I will never, ever go to DCH again. In fact, I’m informing all my kid’s schools and teachers that if there is an emergency, do NOT send them to DCH! I would rather drive to Birmingham, or even back to Missouri before going to the ER in Tuscaloosa! But if it’s something that can be seen at that Northport walk-in clinic, they will go there from now on. I’m going to go give them a 5 star review now!

Shame on you DCH

Seriously should have read the reviews and listened to everyone else… they are seriously unconcerned. Family member was experiencing heart issues which you would think would be pretty serious. The waiting room wasn’t even packed either.

1 star is too good for this ER. I brought my fiance in for severe chest pain. We weren't even seen for over 2 hrs. FOR CHEST PAIN. Go to Birmingham, urgent care, another state, just DO NOT come here.

Waited an hour, had vitals taken by a PCT, and then we were told to sit in the lobby without being triaged. They stated that the nurse had been pulled and they had no available rooms. Wife had severe pain, unable to sit up straight, and was trembling uncontrollably. We left and drove to UAB West ER.

Took my daughter in because she was in a lot of pain and crying,sat in the waiting SIX HOURS and was never seen by a Dr. There was another girl there extremely sick and wasn't seen for hours so they also left. Most of the staff was rude and didn't care about any of the patients,the bathroom was disgusting and I could go on. So many people just left because it was taking so long.

The service sucks at DCH, my daughter had to go there for a swelling she had in her face and was in pain, she ended up walking out at around 11pm and been there since 7 pm and was never seen. I personally would drive all the way to UAB before I would go to DCH

My boyfriend had been having chest pains since the previous night. Came here waited 3 hours and 30 minutes just to even get a room. I definitely wouldn’t recommend anyone to this hospital or emergency department. Also witnessed a girl crying and throwing up and they ignored her as if her condition wasn’t serious. I’ll never bring anyone close to me here again if I want them to see the next. Whole staff needs to be fired.