After going to IC, also recommended by my cardiologist I went to the ER because my symptoms worsened. Yes I expected a wait. I went due to on going stabbing pain in my shoulder blade, shortness of breath and chest heaviness. I had a heart procedure in September. After about 30 minutes I was taken for EKG. Then I was told to go back to waiting area. Area was very full, approximately 1:30 PM. About nearly an hour later was taken back to triage for blood draw and IV inserted. Once again back to waiting room. After another hour my pain worsened. I told the nurse that did my EKG that I was feeling worse. He said “your EKG was normal so the doctor’s aren’t worried”. He then proceeded to go back to reception area, lower his mask to eat a bag of Doritos. Which is in the waiting area in case no one is familiar. In the meantime patients are lowering their masks, coughing, no social distancing. Two people that came in together starting arguing. Does NW not or forgot that Covid is still very much going on. I was told I could wait in Feinbergs lobby, which I did and wasn’t much better. They had no idea when I would be taken back to see anyone. I actually didn’t feel safe. Yes I was in a lot of pain, but I went back after another hour, they still had no idea when I’d be seen. So I asked to have IV removed. So after spending over $50.00 on Ubers, no help. The stress this ER creates only makes one’s ailments even worse. They obviously don’t really seem to take things seriously.

I will NEVER go to the ER at NW ever again. My neuro is there so i thought going to NW when I passed out and have numerous lumps on the side of my head and a black/green eye.I did see my primary doc prior to going on his recommendation.Because of multiple factors that I dont want to disclose here I unfortunately have to go to the ER and I usually go to Lutheran General in Park Ridge. I would say 80% of the time I was treated with dignity and respect at Lutheran but I moved and that one expensive Uber ride.So I went to NW ER yesterday and sat in the filthy roach infested waiting room that had about 50 people waiting to be seen.There were Covid patients ust left to roam around, cough etc. NOT blaming them its my immune system is very vulnerable and the KNOWN Covid patients should be separate but no,The nurse assistant that worked at the front desk with the orange hair was so nice, caring and compassionate.I did get blood work and an EKG in triage but EVERYONE gets these tests so they can bill insurance.I was given a pregnancy test, the blood test. I am way beyond the age to get pregnant.I was never asked about my pain level or offered any kind of pain relief.After 5 hours I asked the nurse to remove my IV because I was done.He could care less if I stayed or went. He also told me my blood work was normal.WRONG blood results are not normal and its a very serious result.Way to go NW I never saw a doctor. The nurse who removed my IV said that he ordered a CT but it could be several more hours to get a scan.Im sorry but nurses do not know squat about radiology tests.I worked in the field of radiology for over 20 years and the nurses were never allowed to order CT scans especially with head trauma.Also I was offered several jobs over the years at NW and always passed because they were and still are the lowest paying hospital in the Chicago area.The specialists are another story. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the outpatient offices.The ER just sucks!

It is so unfortunate that you need to wait three hours at a hospital just to be seen let alone another 2 hours for a CT scan. With all the money and all the grants you receive Northwestern it’s a-shame that you run your ER like a third world country. You might have the best doctors but the ER service is ridiculous. NEVER AGAIN ITS embarrassing. Shame on Northwestern………..

Northwestern rocks but their ED SUCKs. I have amazing insurance. Basically bad fall, shattered my left wrist and complained about my elbow. 4 hr wait for an empty ER. Treated by resident and attending in high red heels. This was the 4th of July 21. In Greece now, dove off of a catamaran to be medivaced to Athens for displaced shoulder that was in the healing stage approx 3 months from a hairline fracture. Noone checked the rest of my arm. Idiots. NW could learn from Greece Healthcare.

This was the best ER experience I have at any point had. The staff, medical attendants, specialists and specialists were extraordinarily kind, mindful and they ensured I was really agreeable. They were exceptionally intensive and clarified everything exhaustively. Much obliged to you!

Horrible experience have been here for over 6 hours for a severe infection which has made my ear blocked and caused half of my face to swell. In the time I’ve been here I’ve only had my vitals taken and given Tylenol after begging for it. They finally brought me in the room after 6 hours of waiting and they are yet to do anything for me other than sample the discharge in my ear. I am crying due to the pain and no one even stops by to check on me. Worst hospital I’ve ever been to.

The staff is wonderful when they come out.... Which is unfortunately few and far between. They saw us for x rays after about 45 minutes, but we have been waiting for 5 hours for results and were just told it might be an additional 2 hours.

Absolutely ridiculous to be waiting for going on 9 hours to be taken to a room. My mother has a potential bleeding ulcer, yet they’ve gone to check her vitals twice and drew some blood work about 6 hours ago. This is an emergency room, yet there’s no sense of urgency anywhere in this department. So disappointing considering this is part of a world class institution. DO BETTER.

Avoid this place at any cost! I have made a huge mistake coming to this emergency room. Staff was extremely rude and unhelpful. Waited over 6+ hours. At the end I end up leaving. I’m sure my regular doctor’s appointment will be much faster then waiting at this so called emergency room! Thanks for wasting my time and health!

This hospital is the symbol of capitalism at work. Over a 9 hour wait last night in the EMERGENCY room. People scattered all over the place in pain, tears, and fear for their health. This system is disgustingly inhumane. Sadly, the majority they seemed to ignore were African Americans. Makes me f’n sick to my stomach. Left there feeling worse than how I arrived experiencing this injustice.

Treating people with dignity and care is not an option! When have we lost empathy to the need of others? What has happened to us?Sitting in Norwestern ER for nearly 10 hours has been a very debilitating experience. This is beyond baffling.After inquiring as to how much longer before seeing a physician, after 9 hours, the staff informed me, theyre unsure when Ill be seen. If I had not asked, no one would have said anything. In more pain waiting to be seen, than when I arrived.No doubt - the goal is to make you wait hoping that youd just leave. Well, I left to go elsewhere. And ... I was called the next day by the ER, asking if I was still in the waiting area.It was not crowded and they were not short staffed. However, its as if theyre being trained to just repeat the same words to everyone, regardless of the dire circumstances.The staff in the ER should consider that one day, it could be their loved ones sitting in ER waiting to be seen.Or better yet, it could be one of them in excruciating pain, looking for assistance.We should never lose our sympathy for someone whos in pain. The caring seeds we plant today, is for our good - in the future.

8 hrs+ wait, I had to constantly check on status to get a room. Then the ER doctor didnt even do much, gave some med & said followup with regular doc. Came here with emergency situation where I was almost blackout with dizziness, pain and tingling in the head, neck, and spine, and they want me to followup with regular doctor where it takes 4 weeks to even get an appointment. The other doctor mentioned previously if it get worse go to ER as they can run the scans & workout at that time itself when the issue is active and see what wrong. They wanted to free beds asap. What a useless ER service. Had better care & doctors who cared when i used the less known ER services in past years. The whole idea of coming to a Northwestern is for the exceptional high end care and diagnosis/research which other fail to do. But lately NM has become a volume provider only and service has gone down rock bottom. And Im sure they will bill insurance 2x of what other hospitals charge even though the service quality is way less.

My girlfriend presented herself as having suicidal thoughts , after it took a while to convince her to get some help. She was scared about what would happen to her while there and was immediately treated rude and couldn’t even give us 1 minute before being taken back into an area I couldn’t go to to give me the spare set of house keys and give her a hug. Treated us like we were a problem immediately.

I am utterly disappointed with the standard of care that us supposed to be synonymous with Northwestern Medicine. My husband was admitted to the ER at 11am. He was in a room with a makeshift door and a dirty sheet (with footprints) taped to the door glass for privacy. He was supposed to have a MRI and be admitted the neurology floor by early afternoon. He did not have the MRI until after 7pm. No longer in an ER room, at 11:07pm he is in the ER hallway. Although he has been assigned a room, 11 hours later, he is still in the ER hallway as it approaches a new day. After repeated phone calls, he finally got his 1st meal in the ER at 6pm. They want him to rest, however, it is hard to sleep in a ER hallway with constant talking, ringing phones and beeping machines all around you.Im too tired to keep going on about this bad experience. So to sum it up, Northwestern Medicine is not what it used to be. Seek medical care elsewhere.

ER experience the worst yet. Waited 8 hours to even be seen by a doctor. Ordered tests and took them in the lobby. Security did nothing as the lobby became over crowded. No updates or indication they even knew you were there. My wife had appendicitis and all they could do was offer a hot pack. I can’t wait for the canned response to contact the patient care team.

Better job needs to be done in the waiting area at the E.R. You have non employees who have full access to the warming metal container that has the blankets...during covid...you have individuals harassing other patients waiting without masks...during covid. Where are the security officers🤷🏽‍♀️

This was the best ER experience I have ever had. The staff, nurses, techs and doctors were exceptionally kind, attentive and they made sure I was as comfortable as I could be. They were very thorough and explained everything in detail. Thank you!

If I could give zero stars I would. I came in a 7:30 pm went through triage and X-rays for my foot within minutes, I have been sitting in the waiting area going on 5 hours. It’s ridiculous my ankle is in pain which they know The only thing they have offered me was a blanket due to it being extremely cold in here. NW you need more doctors and also need to learn how to respect the time of others. One person has been here almost 8 hours. Which makes no sense.

Horrible ER. Brought my mom in for life threatening DVT and they made her sit in the lobby outside of the ER for 9 hours and still wasnt being seen my any physicians. Every few hours I asked how much longer and I was told there are several ahead of my mom. My mom sat in the lobby for hours, mottling, having shortness of breath and shaking from the severe pain. As we sat waiting to see a doctor her leg began to swell so bad that it was impossible for her to put her shoe on. Her calf became redder and hotter by the hour. The nurses behind the desk have absolutely no customer service skills. I do not recommend this ER to anyone unless you want your worse enemy to be treated horribly.My mom had to use the bathroom, mind you unable to Stan or bear weight on her foot and it took hours to get some to assist her to the bathroom. So dissatisfied with overall care.

The staff of the Northwestern Emergency room should be honored with a medal .I visited Monday 24, 2021 for a sprained ankle, fearing it was broken. In my 2 hours there, I witnessed patient trauma and mental illness episodes I assume was responsible for the consistent verbal abuse these saints endured my ENTIRE STAY. Unbelievable! My heart broke........for many.While there, my vitals were taken, I was provided an x-ray and seen by 2 residents and 1 senior doctor. The triage and nurse staff are PHENOMENAL!! I want to publicly express my respect and gratitude for your dedication and service.Rock on!

I would think for a top notch hospital affiliated with NW University, that having higher expectations are valid. My father in law was recommended to go here by his primary care doctor, as he was suspected of having a staph or mrsa infection. As a serious diagnosis, requiring URGENT care, how can his wait time in triage be over 4 hours?! Ive been admitted by Rush AND Advocate hospitals in less than half the time on Sundays and holidays.In top of ridiculous parking fees!I have the patients relations # on hand, too bad they are closed as of Sunday at 10pm.

The lack of sympathy in this place really shows. Believe the comments when they say the staff doesn’t even know when you’ll be attended because you’ll be sitting here in the waiting room for hours !! My dad was in pain the whole time we were waiting. Could seriously not believe the fact that we weren’t even admitted into a room. You might as well leave and go to another hospital because this place doesn’t even try to help in emergency situations. The staff prefers you leave than rather have you be helped out.

How can this happen? How can management allow 4 to 5 hour waits? How is this possible In Chicago? In USA? People have overflowed into the hospital lobby!

I witnessed more than just one employee being rude to people in pain.Empathy is not their strong suite. And it seems, theyd rather tell you no, than to help you.I asked if they had an update on how long Id be there and was met with such flight in response. Not needed at all.This experience has made me lose faith in our healthcare system, and especially at Northwestern. Will head to a different ER next time.

I brought my 81 year old mother in who had been throwing up for the past hour and a half. She was very weak and incoherent. I was shocked by the insensitivity of the staff working. Absolutely no help. They told me I could stay with her - one person could stand next to her in the waiting room or I could take her out into another area. The reason she is in the ER is because she is quite ill- this made no sense to me. The only helpful person was the security guard and the valet parking attendant. You really need to do some interpersonal skills training with your employees. This is a stressful time for people and the last thing they need unhelpful and uncaring people greeting them. What a disappointment. I thought this was supposed to be a world class institution.

People should go to the hospital when there is something serious actually wrong with them go to urgent care if it’s not an emergency. Complaining about going to the er with leg pain seriously. This ER should look at what bigger hospitals do for faster wait times

I love my doctors at Northwestern, but truly HATE the emergency room. They need to expand and make it bigger in order to accomodate people. It is ridiculous for people to wait 9 hours.

If I could give zero stars i would. I have never in my life seen a less caring slower ER in my life. Every patient goes back gets an IV and comes back to the waiting room for another two or three hours. There is a woman vomiting and coughing and crying and been sitting here for hours. Are there no doctors that work here? So incredibly sad! I have never seen anything so poorly run!

Youll get a short wait(like 4 people in the waiting room), the same-day MRI with contrast, chest x-ray, some advanced blood tests in a matter of hours(d-dimer), diagnosis, same-day thoracic surgery, a lot of attention from your doctor and you can stay in the hospital in the same location.And all-in-all they are not that expensive and work with a lot of insurance plans. their website is great, giving you an outline of your tests received and results. much recommended.

11 hours of waiting for a doctor while literally dying because of pain? Seriously!!!????!!!Sadly, just the worst ER one could even imagine...

Worst medical experience of my life, waiting in the ER for 6 hours, 8 hours to see a DR, overall shocking, traumatic and appalling.(Ive already tried to contact patient services and of course no one picks up if thats what you were planning to suggest)

This is the worst emergency hospital, I ever been to , the staff is very rude , the security is even ruder !!!! The Nurce is saying it’s 7 to 8 hour wait!! A man bleeding in the waiting room and nothing is done !! Once a great hospital now just another low class hospital!!!!!! And I just walked out after 3 hours of waiting !!! Not any acknowledgement of my presents or updates !!!

Northwestern emergency room is the worst I have ever visited. I visited at 9pm on April 14th after experiencing a fall while doing box jumps in the gym. I had a visibly open wound that most likely needed stitches. I was triaged within minutes of being checked in, but then I sat for two hours in an overcrowded waiting room that clearly didn’t have 6 feet of separation between people. The check in staff looked tired and frustrated. The patients awaiting to be seen looked frustrated and rumbled uncomfortably in their seats. There was a patient wailing and the lady next to me mentioned this had been going on for hours. At about 11pm, after being 2 hours in the waiting room to see a doctor, I overheard that it would take approximately 8 hours to see a doctor. At that time, i decided I couldn’t wait and needed to see someone sooner. I checked out of the waiting room and went to another hospital.I went to northwestern because i’ve heard wonders of the doctors there. However, i didn’t get to see anyone. The lady who triaged me was nice but they weren’t staffed appropriately.

My mother was brought into the emergency room, they kicked my dad out, and never called one time to update him. We have been calling constantly to get updates. The nurse named Grace on the second floor mezzanine, was absolutely unprofessional and insensitive. I called back talked to the charge nurse who was extremely disrespectful. People like them should do the healthcare a favor and go work for the Gap. I can not believe the amount of insensitivity.

Have to wait at least 8 hours to be seen by a doctor. No one will comes to giive an update on the wait. I got up and left after I tried to notify a nurse but to no avail, so I left to go to another E.R.

They were great. Was seen really quickly and everyone I interacted with was personable and down to earth

U will be waiting for 3-6 hours for no apparent reason. Worst hospital I ever been in

Best place in the world for a CT-Scan! In the world! Definitely try too come as an Out-patient. Could be a wait for Emergency Services.

Sat there for 5 hours and never got seen. Worst experience ever.

Check in an5.45 they took blood vitals my doctor sent me go ultra sound of foot can’t walk and swollen it’s 1102pmAnd still haven’t been called or seen foot is killing me

If I can give 0 stars, I would. Been waiting here for almost 5 hours.

Received the best care possible for my pain level and symptoms though it took 6 hours in the waiting room to finally get urgent relief. I was there for a total of over 12 hours to get the care I need, which does not seem morally right in a first world country. Their system is overwhelmed but their process seems efficient. There is an overflow waiting room up the elevator that staff takes select patients to (a little weird bc ppl are hand selected to go upstairs, they certainly surmise a lot by their personal impressions of you I gather). This is probably due to social distancing but it can give the wrong idea when you walk in regarding wait time bc it’s only half of the ppl waiting to be seen.In my experience your care depends greatly on your luck getting a Doctor that takes the time and genuine effort to put their heart into it. This time I felt very lucky as I was comforted by an excellent male doctor who was warm, kind and listened to every concern intently. He even gave me a kind hand squeeze which meant a lot being w/o family and scared. A lead female Dr came in to discuss all my concerns with me without any rush, I really appreciated that.I didn’t care for the robotic manner in which they try to get you out of a room into a pod to turn it over, I did feel rushed out though I completely understand that our healthcare system is still in COVID crisis mode. Don’t expect to get what you ask for, but they are doing their very best given the circumstances.

Went yesterday to take care of some GI issues Ive been having. Upon entering, they make you switch to a blue disposable surgical style mask. I was wearing a kn95 but was still asked to switch to the lesser effective mask. I feel like this is somewhat of an oversight. I thought check in went pretty well though the lady asking why youre there was a little loud. Initial triage went just fine, after blood draw and vitals I was asked to head back to the waiting room. A little less than an hour later in taken in to a room. The nursing staff at the time were very friendly and the doctor and supervising doctor both were easy to talk to and very informative. From getting the room to being placed in a pre-discharge pod was about an hour. My only other complaint is that after taking a medication they gave me, the desired effect did not occur and the ER doctors dont do telehealth advice. Upon leaving there were probably quadruple the number of people in the ER compared to when I checked in only a little while earlier.

This is the,worse. You go to the emengcy room for an emergency and they have you sitting in the,waiting room for hours. Someone could die before they see you. Awful service. They take you in for virals,and bring you back out. You are just sitting waiting even if you are in psin..I posted on the,wrong sight. This is Huntley il

I have severe pain and tingling in my lower extremities. After waiting for four hours to be seen, the doctor did a urine and blood test and said there was nothing he could do. He didn’t want to do an MRI or ultrasound. I persisted that something is wrong, but he denied my feelings. Worst doctor experience of my life.

Only come here if you wish to die. Wait times are over 8 to 9 hours for CHEST PAIN completely ridiculous. The employees are rude and completely disrespectful. Clearly the director of this department does NOT care about patient satisfaction. Nurses argue with you who is hiring here? They need to shut this emergency room down and get it reorganized hire ALL new people from the bottom to the top

Emergency department is completely overwhelmed. Wait times are horrific. Staff told me administrators don’t care. Save yourself the extra suffering and go to a suburban hospital.

Not sure why this ER has such negative ratings because I received proper and professional care here. I was admitted for severe stomach pain at like 2am, and everyone was very friendly and attentive. Yes, I had to wait for my turn for an hour(?) but its a busy ER. I especially loved all the female nurses, PA, and residents who cared for me. I was alone enduring my pain and getting meds left and right, but they all made sure I was okay and treated. I also loved my doctors who were genuine and caring. They understood everything I told them, and I couldnt have survived alone without them. Thank you!

I had a great non-COVID related visit for an injury that happened during the pandemic. Everything from the security desk, admission, triage, doctors, and nurses were all exceptional. I have a really good attitude in high stress situations. They were shocked to see it and I’m sure it contributed to their demeanor. Still, I can’t imagine getting bad care here unless you have a really entitled attitude.

This Hosiptal and its ER belong to the third world and developing countries. I had severe abdominal pain and cramp that can’t be sustained . They left me screaming sitting in waiting room suffering vomiting until I passed out !I slept in the floor because they didn’t want to give me a bed or even some string pain relief to tolerate pain and I can sit to wait my blood results!then 7 of their staff couldn’t carry me after passing out. I believe that they need to change their policy and review quality of services .

I was here in the ER “waiting to be admitted” For 14 hours. They told me they would get me a room and then said they didn’t have any rooms open so they discharged me. Do not go here. Go anywhere else. I wasted my time and money. Saw about 15 different doctors/nurses and no one was on the same page. Someone came in my room and told me something different every time I saw someone new. I repeated myself a hundred times and they still weren’t all on the same page. I will never go back here.

I don’t understand how this hospital is one of the best.. they people treat like animals. My husband was in ER, I wasn’t able to get there. I had to call the hospital to communicate. One of the nurse sounds like scary movie, she did lie to me what my husband told me when were talking on the phone to me. He did not wanted to stay in the ER but she won’t let my husband go. So many traumatic memories.. They asked my husband’s passcode of his phone for what..? Terrible. Every time we pass by we don’t feel good at all.

Worst ER system ever.Initially I walked in nearby NW clinic,where I was recommended to take CT scan here so I checked in.Every staff in this ER was cold, irresponsible.I was put in the bedroom by force and waited forever to doctor come in.Finally I called the nurse to ask how much long i had to wait after more than 1and half hour waiting.The nurse first won’t come when I pushed nurse call several times, and the young male nurse who finally reluctantly answered , was cold,careless person.So was the doctor, who obviously ignored or forgot to see me.So after all over 6 hours - just for the simple CT scan and getting result- since initial checking-in , I finally , finally got out.This was absolutely NO ER !My condition became worse when leaving here— having been kept waiting so so long in vain , in cold room.Anyone who really need immediate , intensive care should avoid this hospital!At least this kind of hideous service I’ve never met in Japanese university- owned institution.

“A story was unfolded right in front of my eyes while waiting patiently at the emergency room.”My emotional and physical well-being just went through a time testing over the past few years so to speak while searching for my long lost family.For what was worth, I stood by what I believed -in while losing the portion that hindered my experience. It is a challenge task for me personally. I hope I would recover from where I am—To be better and in a brighter future. Thanks a million as always.

Horrible experience multiple times, by multiple family members. Avoid this ER if you can. It may save your life.

What’s the point of having insurance and going to a “top” rate place that’s run by nurse practitioners. What a joke. Patients, go to a real hospital.

I have received great care every time Ive been there. The docs are knowledgeable and mostly kind. Staff is great. I had Dr Lee and his band of comic heroes. Bathroom and floors were clean👍🏻(Im a germophobe, I check) he did every test he could think of and explained everything. Wonderful Dr and staff ❤️

First of all, this place needs help with basic logistics. The system is outdated and inefficient, largely due to the dysfunctionality built into the healthcare system in Illinois. This state makes it very hard to apply for healthcare and people often go to ER because it is easier than navigating the fiasco that is the State of Illinois.So, the ER is flooded with people who cant just get in to see a doctor in a timely manner, because they dont have adequate healthcare, or because when they call the doctors office because they have blood in their urine or a big bleed mole on their back or some other sign of underlying disease, they are told by an inexperienced receptionist with no background in healthcare that the next available appointment is in 2 months. That is Northwestern Memorial Hospitals biggest drawback: the Midwesterners inability to think outside of the box, make intelligent decisions independently, and to use their commonsense and good judgment.Some things that would take the awesome burden of large crowds in the ER that it is not humanly possible to treat in the time allotted?1. Stop letting insurance companies call the shots about where patients can get a PCP and specialty care. For example, I can see all the specialists I want at Northwestern, but I must look elsewhere for a PCP, and the PCPs that my plan will cover do not inspire my trust and confidence. Illinois has some really low standards when it comes to licensure and vetting hospitals and doctors. So, I have to go to one of the insurance companys designated clinics to work with a doctor with questionable skill and bona fides, whom I do not trust, and who is not interested in my health as much as he or she is in saving my insurance company the cost of providing me with the treatment I actually need.2. There should be an triage team in every division at the hospital, so that when I call the clinic, I dont have to deal with a clueless receptionist who doesnt have the good judgment to know that if I am bleeding from my eyes and coughing up small creatures that she should connect me immediately to triage to arrange an earlier appointment, instead of telling me my only options are to 1) wait 2 months for the next available or 2) go to the ER so I can puke into a bucket with 50 other patients who probably didnt have to be in ER if they could have gotten in to see a regular doctor, had healthcare coverage, or could have best been served in Urgent Care and not the ER.3. The staff in the ER could be a lot more efficient. And the Urgent Care staff (Immediate Care) could also be better skilled. I dont really trust their judgment, based on my experience. For example, I had back pain and didnt know if it was a slipped disc, a muscle tear, or something else. So the doctor ordered a CT of my kidneys and a urine test, which showed I had blood in my urine. The CT scan did not show stones, so her hasty conclusion was that if it wasnt the kidneys it had to be muscular. SORRY, BUT NO!!!!! If there is blood in the urine and stones didnt show up in the CT, that doesnt mean that it must be muscular. WHY? (and she should know this): Blood in the urine can mean more than just kidney stones. It can mean other kidney diseases, liver disease, pancreatic issues, etc. It is always a sign of underlying illness, and should not be ignored, but explored. She didnt do that. She told me to go see an ortho! Wow. And just because the CT didnt find stones, doesnt mean that they arent there!A CT can miss stones! It isnt 100%. In any case, she should have run more tests and she should have been able to get me an appointment to see a specialist or triage team in a specialty clinic, OR treatment priority in ER, but triage would have been better. I should have heard, OK, we will run tests. We got you an appointment for tomorrow morning at 9 in such and such clinic. Show up with (instructions) and they will be able to take it from there. That is how they do it at REAL hospitals. Simple. NWM needs new leadership.

It was an 11 hour wait (8pm-7am). I had the flu and needed a chest x-ray and a breathing treatment. Once I received that at 10pm, they wouldnt let me leave because I needed to see a doctor. From 10pm-3:30am, they refused to tell me if my chest x-ray was clear and made me wait in the lobby of the Northwestern Medicine Complex. Finally at 3:30, I wheeled myself to the nurses station and my blood pressure was so low, they told me they needed to start an IV immediately. I saw PA at 5am, and they said I couldnt leave and needed to wait for the supervising doctor. The doctor arrived at 7am and told me I had the flu (which I already knew) and the best thing to do was to sleep for 10-12 hours a day. Very ironic seeing as they kept me up all night. Again, I arrived at 8pm and LEFT at 7am. I have never received such abhorrent care. I cant imagine if my illness was more serious.The waiting room was also incredibly dirty. For example, there was a bag filled with vomit just sitting on one of the chairs. If you are in need of immediate medical attention, I would go elsewhere.

ALL staff members in ER were rude and lack any sort of sympathy. My husband sat in a chair in triage for 6 hours. Nurses kept saying they were waiting for a bed, but yet other patients waiting in triage were coming and going quickly. To have someone sit on a chair for six hours without seeing a doctor was unacceptable. My husband was then detained against his will after he stated he didnt want further treatment. Not to mention, I was not allowed to enter their triage area to speak with him. Not once! I was left in the dark! My husband says a nurse told him it wasnt social hour after he stated having a discussion with another patient. It was a nightmare for us both.We had to call our lawyer to come help us make sense of such madness. After our lawyer spoke with staff members, my husband was released shortly after. No one should feel like theyre in prison when they simply are looking for medical attention. No one should have to sit in a chair for six hours with no food, no contact with loved ones waiting, and not feeling like their being held against their will! Shame on you NW! I will never return and never refer anyone!

Next time, just let me die. I was told that I had an heart attack and needed to stay in the hospital a minimum of 2 days. After convincing the staff I could not stay, all treatment stopped, crickets. I asked for test results, crickets. Could I do further testing on an out patient basis, crickets. Billed my insurance $6000. Im still waiting on the detailed bill.

Terrifyingly disorganized. making people wait more than 6 hours after one urine test and saying there are approximately quite a few people left although there should be an order of arrival. And they are not sure its 5 or 6 people left. It seems based on the subjective decision by nurses or the system itself can pick and choose whos more severe and urgent. It is not functioning as an emergency room but like an office accepting the guests. The emergency room should be doctors finding their patients not pick and choose based on their availability and enjoying the freedom of changing their shift. It can definitely kill people in pain through this ambiguous way of management.

Great hospital, though the staff at night was very unprofessional and obnoxious..

As we were waiting for a family member to be admitted, we observed behaviors by the staff that made us uncomfortable. First, when our relative was taken to an examination room, we attempted to switch who was with him to the person with the most knowledge of his medical history. When we asked about the switch, we were told that they needed to call up to the nurses station. Instead of returning to give us an update, we watched the staff member return and not approach us. I had to get up again to ask what the response was. When we were finally allowed to make the switch, the head attendant/nurse told a nurse to go do something, then come back and show us where to go. A male nurse offered to take us that moment, but the head attendant said he was too busy, so we had to wait.The worst part didnt happen to us. As we waited for our relative to be examined, we observed a woman in a wheelchair have one of the automated doors hit her when someone came through. She had been placed by staff obviously within the range of the door. Instead of responding quickly, we watched as the staff stood by as the door continued to attempt to open and the woman in the chair started to make noises. I believe she had limited reflexes at the time as she never put her hands up to push the door. They waited long enough to respond that I was about to stand up and mover her myself, then finally someone reacted. I understand there are some things ER cant control like wait times or space, but there should be a base level of human decency that unfortunately I didnt see from the staff.

Wait times are ridiculous. Up to 8 hours! They should have recommended that some of the cases go to the immediate care, to alleviate a lot of the congestion. Some people don’t know that it is a option. And the waiting area has need revamped, which makes it even more congested and loud. If you didn’t come in with a headache, you’ll have one soon. And some of the staff have attitudes, when some is trying to ask them a question. It should never be the “it’s not my job or ask someone else” attitude. Help bring them to someone who ca help. And the security guards shouldn’t just be hanging around and talking loud about silly things. Can’t they help bring in people from the curbs. I will say that it does help having the volunteers around to help with patients needing small things, like blankets. And how does a family member get something to drink anymore? No vending machines, or was to the rest of the hospital restaurants. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. NM may be the best in clinic, specialists, outpatient and inpatient care, but the ER is the worst and shameful.

The ER was horrible. After a 6 hour wait, I had an argumentative Dr and left without a diagnosis. It was an exhausting time. If at all possible go to quick care or try to get into your primary care provider.

The wait times for triage and to see a physician is ridiculous. The system for patients could definitely use some work. Overall just terrible waited 5 hours just to be told the minimum wait is 7 hours.

Because there is no 0 or negative rating. Worst staff. people are least urgent. Front desk people are worst. better to stay at home whole night and go to urgent care in the morning.

The wait here can be long with the waiting room filled with unsavory characters; however, once inside, the care is nothing short of first class. The doctors and nurses were kind, attentive, and sympathetic.

NMH claims they are dedicated to providing high quality care. This was not my experience. I came into the ER in clear distress: excruciating pain and nonstop vomiting. The front desk staff was rude, disrespectful and wildly unhelpful. While the entire ER room was filled with people cozily and comfortably wrapped in blankets napping, I was forced to wait 4 hours without so much as an IV bag of fluids while my condition worsened. The triage was completely inappropriate and as a nurse I could understand this. The lobby was dirty and disgusting. Will NEVER be back here and would never recommend this place to my worst enemy.

Been sitting here since 1pm. It’s now after 6. Not enough chairs, not enough staff to handle patients. I’ve been in small town ERs that were run more efficiently than this alleged top rated hospital. Now they claim there’s a trauma they need to deal with. Doesn’t explain the last 4.5 hoursMy husband said he went to the ER in Indonesia and it was better managed than NWMH.

# 1 Hospital in Chicago,IL they are really good the wait in the Emergency room was (4)Hours wait today on Thursday August 22, 2019 register at: 10:00am I highly recommend this Hospital to Family, Friends, and the public

Took my girlfriend to the hospital for heart pain and let me start by saying it’s a lot of fishy mess going on. A male doctor suggests the room is too small for me to accompany my girlfriend for triage which it wasn’t and on top of that he closes the curtain in my face. She tells me that the guy told her in a demanding way to lift her shirt all the way up so that he could run tests.... in triage. Then we wait for the doctor to call and the doctor pretty much does the same thing. Upon arriving and calling us, she immediately told me I don’t need to come, I can wait. She did everything in her power to get me out of the room with my girlfriend. My girlfriend expressed how uncomfortable she was after her experience with the guy from triage. Terrible if I must say

I was brought by ambulance with a non life threatening head trauma. The staff was very professional. Every one from the transport person to the dr. We’re excellent! The wait time in between tests was not to bad. I felt like I was in the best hands! That’s what matters.

I’m giving them three stars for the staff ALONE. Courteous and seemed kind. Determined to find out what was wrong.I don’t like the fact that no one offered pain meds when I left considering the obvious amount of pain I was in. Seems stereotypical of what they say about hospitals and black patients. But other than that, I’m okay with this place. I’ll just get the script I need from my PCP.

The security guards are awful. Not at all interested in providing service. The passive aggressive woman when I went in was horrible. More interested in protecting her job than anything else.If you are not actively bleeding, the medical is incredibly slow. Horrible. The doctors and nurses are nice, but the system is S L O W. The administrative support staff, unbelievable bad. We spent 14 hours there without an answer. We finally just walked out.

I have been a patient at Northwestern since I was diagnosed with my life changing disease in 2011 and unfortunately have been a frequent patient to this fine ER. This is the best hospital and ER in Chicago hands down. The Doctors and Nurses that work in the ER are the best I have come across and I have been to many ERs. (Nothing to brag about)First and foremost ERs dont take patients on a first come first serve basis...thank god! They take patients based on who needs the most immediate care first. Second we live in the 3rd largest city in the United States think population numbers. If you want fast service move to Macomb Illinois or just hit a McDonalds drive thru.People are complaining about 2-4 wait times in an ER, but they lived to write a negative review so I believe Northwestern ER did their jobs!Also why did you choose Northwestern? Because it ranks in the top 10 in the United States every year!

This is not an emergency room. It’s a turtle slow room. Don’t come if you have urgent problem.

I went here in the early hours of the morning and it looks more like a police holding cell than an ER. The police are constantly bringing in drug addicts who have been arrested to be (I assume) drug tested. I was told the wait would be 5+ hours and there were no masks available to protect myself from communicable disease, this is unacceptable considering Im immunodeficient. This used to be one of the best, if not the best, hospitals in the city. I waited there for several hours and they took in nobody, I was told they were at a standstill which is ridiculous considering the emergency room was packed with people. Eventually I left and drove myself to Rush University, do yourself a favor and avoid this hospital. It is vastly different than the once prestigious institution we remember years ago.

I give them 3 stars just for doctors,thanks them.But I dont have any stars for other services,because waiting and prices Sox.(For Emergency room)I wish they can change the this system and more people can visit there...

Not much wait. Top notch doctors and nurses.

Dont come here if youre in a hurry. Or in pain. Or...at all, if youre capable of getting to literally any other ER in the city. Even on a slow, winter weeknight, coming here for something as serious as a bleeding ulcer still requires you to sit and wait. And wait. And wait. For well over an hour. No explanations are provided, theres no visible queuing system to let you guesstimate when youll be seen, and the staff at the waiting room desk are unhelpful at best.Honestly, Id get it if this was a hospital that had a mainly-uninsured patient base, but... Its not. This is Northwestern, in the heart of downtown Chicago. Get your act together. Pretend like your patients are people that are having a generally bad day, and make sure the intake staff is tasked with being empathetic. Even if they cant do anything to speed up the intake process, being receptive to patient questions really goes a long way.

Worst experience ever

This is an excellent hospital. I hope it ranks number one internationally to promote peace and safety along with long-term care options for physical health.

I was not allowed to give no stars here and that is what I would choose. Horrible experience here. By far the worst experience I have had with a healthcare facility. My son was brought via ambulance at 7:30 p.m. and we did not see a resident and overseeing physician until 4 a.m. The person that drew his blood did not know what they were doing and he came out with blood on his shirt, pants and all over his arm and hand. The staff at the desk were very rude and uninformative. Several staff members sat at the desk talking and laughing, basically socializing, and were completely irritated when asked any question at all by the patients and their families. Very poorly run. An extreme disappointment. Cant wait to see the bill for speaking to staff members for a total of 20 minutes and a wait time of 10-12 hours. This is the very first time that I have ever left a negative review about anything in my life.

Definitely 1 star service. After 2 visits in the last 2 days, I am NEVER coming to this hospital for ER services again. They have people in beds in the isle-ways and hallways all over the place, so it looks like something out of a disaster scene. And these patients get the special ‘Ron Pipeil Food Dehydrator’ type of service, they just set ‘em and forget ‘em.They provided ‘quotes’ at the beginning of each visit and charged us an initial co-pay based on that, and on the first visit they had a quote before they even confirmed a diagnosis?! These quotes were over $3k on day one and over $2k on day two. Treatment involved a CT scan on day one, but other than that it was primarily running an IV and giving a pain med dose...and lying in a bed for a few hours.All helpful services were rendered within the first few hours on the second visit, yet we were left in the hallway for another 5+ hours with no good reason. We had to ask them AT LEAST half a dozen times to fix an IV bag that stopped dropping, and it was literally 4 hours before it was taken care of. The doctor also ordered an oral pain med which also took no less than 6 follow up requests over a 3 hour period to actually get a nurse to bring it. When we brought it up to the doctor the 5th time he actually said ‘what the f***?!’, because he was upset that it still had not been brought by the nurse.I’ve been to plenty of ERs to know that some waiting will always be involved, and I do my best to be understanding...but this was just beyond ridiculous. We went to the ER at Rush back in October, and the service was 100x better.

ALARMING EXPERIENCE. I hurt my shoulder/chest playing hockey. After over 3 long hours of waiting in the ER I finally got back to see a doctor. The ER was fine, they were honest and gave you an idea how long it would be. Once I got back there with the doctors I saw how messed up their process was. This doctor, named Doctor Cookie, told me my x rays were fine and she’d be right back to talk right after she went over my blood tests. She never came back. Instead an X-ray technician came in the room and unexpectedly took me for another set of xrays even tho my first ones came back fine. Fast forward till 4AM (keep in mind I got there before 10pm and had been there for 6 hours) I demanded to leave. The real doctors came in and decided I actually needed a CT scan the entire time. I had enough, was very exhausted and in pain, I didn’t have a clear mind as I was so tired and hit my head too. I regrettably left, I couldn’t be there anymore. They were not being clear to me at all what was going on or how long I would be there. Why did the first doctor send me in for more x rays that were completely pointless? And without consulting me about it? I don’t understood why she lied to me like that. Reading about my injury online it seems like an easy diagnosis and is a Sternoclavicular joint injury and would require a CT scan. Why did it take 6 hours for them to figure out a CT scan is what was needed? It took me 15 minutes on my phone to figure that out. This ER has 0 efficiency, these people are at work and they don’t give a heck how quickly they treat anyone. I should have been out of that room hours before I was, and they should have been on to treating the next patient. I have been to a lot of ERs and know how difficult they can be, Yet I never seen anything like this ER. Yet aside from the one misleading doctor, everyone else I associated with was very nice and great to me. Yet the process and way things are executed behind those doors is down right disturbing. This ER provided me one of the worst nights of my life.

I came in with acute neck and headache and fever. I was taking in fast enough. Professional nurses and stuff were very attentive and carrying. Got all tests done to rule out the worst. Dr Malik and assistant resident did great job taking spinal fluids, no pain no side effects. Thanks for your help!

I expected so much more from such a large prestigious Chicago Hospital. This is the most smallest hospital I have ever been to. The wait is by far the most ever. I am extremely disappointed with this experience.

Went In for high blood pressure while pregnant, they took me in the back the fast track rooms which are very nice and clean its only when you get the main er rooms they become gross ( I had to be moved fast track to the main er because my problem was more serious). People had been laying on beds in the hallways that had been there over 24hours it was sad and pitiful how nurses was talking to them. They had no respect. Bathrooms where they collect urine samples was beyond Disgusting. By the time I walked out of there I felt like I needed to be Quarantine or bathe in sanitizer.

Doctors were okay but their billing department is horrible. Will never use Northwestern again. Much prefer Advocate.

I waited in the waiting room for over 6 hours only seeing a triage nurse for less than two minutes. When I asked how much longer after 6 hours I was told “Pain doesn’t kill anyone so you’ll just have to wait.” When I asked how much longer they said 2 hours, maybe more. And that wasn’t even to see the doctor that was to be moved out of the waiting room.

I was so pleased with the immediate treatment, attentiveness, and care that I received from doctors and nurses here. I was in a lot of pain, and they took great care of me! Cant thank them enough!

Does Northwestern have one of the strongest medical education programs in the country? likely yes. But when it comes to emergency room and hospital management, it lags behind many of the other large city hospitals( think UPMC or NYU).Arrived at ER for father with excruciating pain in his stomach. The registration attending spells my fathers name wrong after taking almost 15 min to register him. We asked several times to help escalate his case as he was rapidly becoming worse. Finally, a triage nurse responds. By this point, father was almost screaming. Hes still in their system under the wrong name, and his pain is causing numbness and shortness of breath. Once we got seated with the triage nurse, which honestly didnt seem to have much care for patients other than saying useless pleasantries. She noticed the wrong name and wheeled my father back to reception to change his wristband. Understandably, its good to get the name right, but when someone is in so much pain, it doesnt make sense for you to make the patient wait even longer because of the hospitals mistake. This is the definition of poor process and care. She then took his temperature 2x, both machines did not produce a proper reading (?!?!?!cant get a temperature reading in a hospital is extreme) We tell her his temperature at home was normal. She then slowly goes through what I can only imagine is the triage generic checklist, typing notes after asking us to repeat ourselves several times. Paying no attention to my mother and my plea for some medical help to actually assess his area of pain. I asked several times if she can help him with his pain, she say she can only offer Advil or Tylenol. For your information, people go to the emergency room to seek medical help, not to exchange pleasantries and get over-the-counter medication. Why dont you show some sense of urgency for people that are in pain. Granted the ER was packed but you would think there would be complex system to demonstrate some sort of prioritization, especially for patients in severe pain. There was no such process because after repeatedly asking their triage nurse, all she could say is, you will have to wait.At this point, my mother was in tears, and my father was starting to lose his vision because he was in so much pain. I decided to yell for help and subsequently was asked to leave.m the ER. Another nurse told me my father will get his room, but Im not able to stay with him. I can live with that as long as they take care of him and have an actual doctor treat him. What they dont know is I was not so long ago a patient who went into early term labor at 19 weeks. When I arrived at the ER my baby boy was delivered in my underwear and dying. Instead of taking care of me, they asked my husband to carry me in, then asked us to wait and go through ER procedures while I felt my son moving and gasping for air. By the time the nurse actually saw me, he was no longer moving and had passed. There was nothing they could have done to save him anyways because he was too young but I will never forget the moment when his little body stopped moving. At the end of that traumatic experience, the hospital sent someone to tell us we shouldnt sue because they did everything right in the emergency room. I saw a similar situation play out in this case. My prior experience taught me that when you have family in the ER, the best support you can give them is speaking up and raising awareness for them.Our medical system is broken at a much deeper level than just insurance. Its the lack of care at hospitals like this, to make necessary improvements needed for their patients. Shame on those who thinks they are doing the best they can and thats all there is, because it is far from whats decent and right.

Horrible horrible experience, im pregnant and i needed to be seen for stepping on a sensor tag, it was deep in my foot and i was bleeding & came to the er to make sure there was no infection. I waited 4 hours and constantly got told different things by different nurses about how i would be up soon, unfortunately i had to leave because i could no longer wait and i had to go to a different emergency room for better care!!! Do not come here!!! Horrible service and horrible attotudes!!

Came to the ER after my grandfather was having chest pains all morning. Checked in at the front desk and he was back in a room for an EKG within 10 minutes. Very nice staff, great job expediting a serious concern with heart issue.

Stay away. Staff horrible. Was told by my surgeon to go. Having issues after surgery. Arrived at 2:00 pm. Was stuck in a wheelchair for 5 hrs. And this was back in the ER, not reception/waiting room. Wasnt allowed to use restroom. Male nurse yelled at me for asking. Was told You dont have a room, a nurse, a doctor, so you cant. At 7:00 I was finally given a room, finally a doctor. Finally given my meds prescribed from surgery missed 2 prescribed doses, and other maintenance meds. Discharged at 1:30 AM. They never addressed why I came in. All the while attempting to get my doctor or someone on the phone. Told by a resident on the phone that he wasnt responsible for someone in the ER. Who is? And the security guards treated people like animals. And the staff were also laughing at people that were having issues. A woman came in filthy from her own bodily fluids and one security guard was spraying her with air freshener. Is this the way a hospital staff cares for people in need?

I just had an awful experience here. I have long heard about how great northwestern is and I had high hopes choosing to go to them over other hospitals but they were completely useless, specifically Dr. Timothy Loftus. I’ve been having extreme nerve pain the past 3 wks leading to missing several days of work, after not being able to sit stand or lay for any reasonable period of time. I previously went to urgent care and my primary dr and they to me if it got worse to go to the er and explain the situation. I asked for an mri so we could see what was going on, but was denied by Dr. Timothy who said we don’t do mri’s for this kind of thing, though he admitted he was unaware what kind of thing I was enduring. At the end of paying my co pay of $200, I was not given any meds besides an anti inflammatory shot in my arm and told to schedule an orthopedic surgeon. I really feel that northwestern failed me by not allowing me to at least come away with a diagnosis, the 3-4 hrs I spent there were a complete waste and I will never use their services again, as there are several hospitals in the area to try instead.

Terrible, worst ever experience. 6.5 hours waiting, in pain, with hi temperature fever, for Ultrasound and doctor. Asked for water - was told Yes and nothing happens. Gave me a glass of water 30 min later, after I asked again. Ultrasaind was done after4 hours waiting. After 2 more hours was seen by doctor.... Most important: I knew my diagnosis from the very beginning, told it to ER staff at check in, I had it before... 6.5 h later it was confirmed by doc. Conformation is good, but 6.5 hours in pain and fever instead of simple shot - unexaptable for civilized ER!

Worst PLACE EVER... Waiting all day for doctors who dont have a clue on what they are doing! Diagnosed with something two months ago that they informed me about , now here for the SAME symptoms that they can not seem to figure out! So instead of just saying they have no idea on what their doing, they have you wait for hours to be told by another (Doctor) the same thing! Not happy with this place. Nurses walk around head down in their phones and not focused on their job! No sincerity for their patient. They make you feel like they just dont care.