Hat’s off agains | Letters | Summerville Journal Scene

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Hat’s off agains

Published Tuesday, July 27, 2010 2:27 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Dear Editor,

This is the second time I’ve had an occasion to applaud the emergency room at Summerville Medical Center… and I hope it’s my last! I’m sure your readers will understand that I would prefer not to go to the ER.

The first time was about 15 or more years ago. I had an accident at my then river retreat home at Bennett’s Point. Needless to say, since I lived in Summerville, I headed home. I documented at the time how excellent my experience was with Summerville Medical Center.

Forward to now. A couple of weeks ago I had another problem. At about 3 am in the morning I felt a semi-painful pressure high in the center of my chest. It would not go away, and it was very uncomfortable and bothersome. I am, some would say, hard-headed, so I tried to ignore the “discomfort.” However, along about mid-day I still was in pain.

Some time after 1:30 pm I still had not eaten, but was fed up. Many reports say that heart attacks sometimes disguise themselves as indigestion. I showered, dressed and drove myself to the Summerville Medical Center ER.

I walked to the desk and was asked what my problem was. I said basically some chest pain. The lady said for me to fill out a form. I barely had my name on the form when a nurse came up and asked me to come with her. I said I hadn’t finished the paperwork, and she quickly said it didn’t make any difference.

Long story, made short, I was taken straight back to an ER room. I was hooked up to the monitoring machines, and the normal assessments evolved. I was told that there was no problem with my heart, but rather acid reflux, a digestive issue.

I was in and out in 21/2 hours. In that time, I had the triage, my heart was monitored, I had blood work done twice and also had an abdominal ultra-sound and chest x-ray. I was medicated for my real problem, and finally was back home with a prescription for my digestive problem. I repeat, all this happened in 2 ½ hours from when I walked to the desk.

I must say that lately, I’ve had a lot of experiences in emergency rooms. My parents, both in their 90’s and living in another city, have had numerous trips to the ER. My Father passed away in January. My last trip, which lasted almost eight hours, was with my Mother. I’m sure that we got out of there when we did because I started causing some trouble at the desk.

Summerville Medical Center emergency room is certainly a huge cut above - a really nice facility and nice operation. Dr. Hayes, his nurses, the technicians, clerical personnel and all the staff were wonderful to me. I think we are really blessed to have this facility in our community. Thanks to them!

Sam Cothran, Jr.

Sumter Avenue

Summerville

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104 East Doty Avenue | Summerville, SC 29483 | 843-873-9424 office | 843-873-9432 fax