Oksana Goncharenko
I am writing to express my deep disappointment regarding the care my best friend and I experienced during her recent surgical visit. Her procedure was scheduled for 11:00 AM, yet she was not taken in until 2:00 PM, with no communication or updates provided during that extended waiting period. Following the procedure, I was shocked to learn that no visitors were allowed for two full hours post-operatively. This lack of access was not explained to us beforehand, nor was there any post-procedure briefing from the surgical team. Attempts to ask questions were met with dismissiveness by the nursing staff, who offered no clarity or compassion. To make matters worse, my friend, who was awake and alone in PACU, was denied access to her phone, left without updates, and had to repeatedly request basic comfort such as water. She felt isolated and unsupported during a vulnerable time. What was particularly distressing was the apparent inconsistency in policy enforcement. While we were denied any visitation in Phase I, other patients particularly Orthodox Jewish individuals appeared to have multiple visitors at their bedside. This discrepancy raises serious concerns about equity and transparency in patient care. In Phase II recovery, only one visitor was permitted, again without flexibility or empathy. The entire experience reflected a troubling lack of communication, compassion, and patient advocacy. As a healthcare professional myself, I am genuinely disheartened by the disregard shown to a patient and her loved one during a critical time. I sincerely hope your institution takes this feedback seriously and evaluates its practices to better support all patients and families with dignity, transparency, and empathy.