Millstine, Denise M, Md - St Joseph Hosp & Med Ctr

My sister was admitted to St. Joseph's Emergency room in May of 2006 with pain in her lower abdomen. She had diverticulitis, and it had become so infected, it created a blockage. The doctor (don't have his name) later came out and told my brother-in-law that the intern had accidently perforated her colon while doing a colonoscopy. This caused the infection to spread throughout her body. They did emergency surgery the next morning, hours after her colon had been punctured. The doctor later told my brother-in-law that actually the intern had not perforated the colon, and that my sister was in such bad shape it was "touch and go"if she would make it through. She was responsive the day after the surgery, then she was out (they said due to pain meds) for two weeks. Her vital organs started shutting down and finally her heart. The whole time she was in there she bled from her nose, eyes, ears, every needle point they had in her. The bleeding was due to the infection in her body. My brother-in-law tried to find a lawyer to sue the hospital, but, no one would touch the case. Our family will never use this hospital again. more

Had the misfortune to be this doctor's patient for a hysterectomy (suspect ovarian mass, history a family death from ovarian cancer). Although I filed a preoperative form indicating I did not authorize any medical students, residents, interns to perform or assist in the operation and brought this to the attention of Dr. Gordon, Dr Stuart (anesthesiologist) and circulating RN, Dr. Gordon had a medical resident by the name of Dr. Julie Olds assist (met her in his offices presurgery - she gave the worst pelvic I ever had - like an episiotomy without the painkiller). According to the medical record, I had to be taken to radiology post op to see if they left any instruments inside me. My recollection includes coming out of the anesthesia during the surgery in excruciating pain (think I was dropped during the transfer to a second gurney)and had to be put back under anesthetic. Awakened with a huge bruise on my stomach other than the incision site. Dr. Gordon disappeared and was replaced post op during my four day "post op stay" by his partner, Dr. Borst with Dr. Olds in tow (apparently Dr. Borst cannot read chart notes either). My last interaction with these clowns was Dr. Olds asking me repeatedly if I wanted to save the morphine bag that was sewn into my incision as a "souvenir" despite the fact that I told her "no thanks" several times (great sensitivity and bedside manner). My advice to you is this: if you are being treated for cancer or needing exploratory surgery, stay away from Olds, Gordon, Borst, St Joseph's Hospital as you will be a guinea pig for the medical students that Borst, Gordon and St Joseph's sponsor and get paid for (conflict of interest, no less). more