Editor,
Recently, I’ve read articles in the Whidbey News-Times about the “new” WhidbeyHealth and how a person would be happy to be a “visitor” to the Coupeville facility.
I did not set out to be a tester of the new, but things turned out that way.
On May 16, 2018, while shopping at the Navy Exchange, I passed out. It had nothing to do with the prices.
Next thing I knew, a bunch of medics were working on me. They shoved me into the ER on wheels and off we went to WhidbeyHealth and a bigger ER. It was decided to keep me overnight.
Problems started. A letter to the editor resulted in a one-on-one with the hospital CEO and assurance that things will change.
Fast-forward from May 2018 to June 19, 2019. About 11 p.m., another problem led the EMT crew to my house. They did a great job of delivering me to WhidbeyHealth.
My wife gave the EMT crew clothing for me. Once in the ER, the hospital staff began running tests to find the cause and cure for my problem.
Not sure what they found or did not find, but sometime after 4 p.m., they decided to send me home with instructions to see my regular doctor.
The nurse looking after me said she would call my wife to come and get me. I did not know my wife gave the EMT crew clothing for me, so I asked the nurse to tell my wife to bring me some.
Seconds later, the loving nurse threw my shoes and clothing on top of me and walked out of the room. At this point, she called my wife and told her I said for her to come and get me.
I did not tell her or anyone else to call my wife or tell her anything. I was then led to the main lobby and put in one of the chairs to await my wife’s arrival.
To me, there is no difference in the ER services of May 2018 and June 2019. As the old TV program stated, “only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.”
There were some name changes at WhidbeyHealth, but “S.O.S” — same old service.
Upon my death, I hope I am sent someplace else for my final visit with a medical crew. I want that last visit to be a pleasant trip.
Robert D. Brown
Oak Harbor
