Complaint Review: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

I suffered a seizure while driving on 6/8/18 and was brought by ambulance to the ED at SJMH.  The paramedic documented the fact that I was suffering from temporary amnesia in his prehospital care report.  I heard him tell the nurse at the hospital that I had exhibited amnesia after he arrived on the scene, although I was recovered from it by the time I arrived at the hospital.

Supervising physician Dr. Charmaine Gregory disregarded the information provided by the paramedics and diagnosed confusion.  My primary care physician later pointed out this diagnosis was dead wrong.  Confusion is more of a sign than a diagnosis.

I complained to the patient relations department and demanded a copy of my electronic medical records.  The EMR information was carefully and completely reviewed.  I concluded that Dr. Gregory disregarded the information provided by paramedics in making her diagnosis.  I got a call back from Dr. Nicole Seleno in response to my patient relations complaint.  She seemed to take it very lightly.  She said she was going to talk to Dr. Gregory but did not say anything about discipline.

The billing department has been persistently trying to collect a $1714.00 balance for this visit.  I told Kelly from billing back in July I am on disability and there is no way I can pay the balance.  I reiterated that their diagnosis was dead wrong.  They said that if my follow up care indicates a diagnosis other than a motor vehicle collision they could bill my insurance for it.  I saw a neurologist and will be going through follow up diagnostic testing shortly.

Received yet another statement dated 8/22/18 demanding $1714.00 for bad and negligent work.  Change your medic alert smart phone instructions to avoid this ED. They obviously care more about collecting their money than doing well by their patients.