I transported my fiance to summerville medical center ER on 2/14/17 due to sharp, sudden onset of a headache that he rated as 10/10 pain. His pupils were constricted and speech was slurred. Blood pressure was 170/100. When we arrived, he couldn't walk and I had to transfer him to a wheelchair and push him inside. I explained to the emergency room staff what was going on and they insisted on checking him in before allowing a doctor to assess him. I was understanding of this. However, after the initial assessment, they told us to sit in the waiting room to see the triage nurse. After a few minutes, I stopped a staff member and asked to see the triage nurse. They consulted the triage nurse and assured me that my fiance would be seen next. Another couple of minutes passed and the triage nurse called a different patient to the room. I am a medical professional and knew his symptoms were those of a stroke, so I spoke up. I stopped the triage nurse, explained that he needed to be seen by a doctor right away. I was told we needed to wait our turn. I went on to argue that he could be having a brain bleed and needed a neurological assessment, but my complaints fell on deaf ears. We left summerville and went to Trident ER. He was seen immediately there, given the appropriate testing and was checked in over night. He's been diagnosed as having had a TIA, or "mini stroke". I am sure that emergency care depends largely on the staff on duty when you arrive, but summerville seriously needs to provide better training to their staff. A stroke certified emergency department should have recognized his symptoms and had him immediately taken to the back to see a doctor. I have not been able to recommend summerville medical center to my patients since this event, nor would I feel confident seeking care there for myself or my loved ones.
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