CENTRAL FLORIDA ENDOSCOPY AND SURGICAL INSTITUTE OF OCALA LLC

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Tammie Packard

I’m not a patient, but a “loved one” transporting a patient to and from the facility for an upper GI. I can tell you that this facility is very unprofessional and has the vibe of a DMV waiting area and not a surgical center. My first issue is that they refused to do the procedure the first time because “his ride” was not present for the procedure, so they rescheduled it explaining that I would need to wait and could not leave the facility until after his procedure was completed. So we showed up the following Monday for his 10am appointment and waited…and waited….and waited. It was probably 1pm or later before he was taken in. At this point I had already gone out to our vehicle because the chairs they provide in the waiting area are very uncomfortable. Many people were forced to stand because there was inadequate room for the patients to sit. I did notice that they had one TV available but it was not visible from the area he was sitting in. Also, they had a drink machine that was out of order and a snack machine that was empty. It seems to me that they simply don’t care about their patients (and others) time or comfort while waiting. If they did, they wouldn’t schedule SO MANY people to come in at the same time and pack them in like sardines. Furthermore, with the money they are getting for these procedures, they can certainly afford comfortable seating and a few more televisions and to spruce the place up a little. It just doesn’t feel “clean” like a professional waiting area should. And for God’s sake, fix the vending machines or get rid of them! Honestly I felt like it was totally unnecessary for me to wait there. They could just as easily have called me once he went into recovery and I could have been there in 30 minutes to pick him up (as it is done in other surgical facilities). Not everyone is retired and able to commit to that kind of time away from their jobs. As far as the actual procedure, he seemed satisfied with the staff and care. It doesn’t matter if the doctors and staff are good at what they do if the place feels like a “free clinic”.

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Rebel Ruthi

So you don't like my review. I put it in writing before I left after my cataract surgery.. By the time I got back to Citrus County, my hives were welts. I complained to the charge nurse about the itching. I asked for a benadryl. My Hives were red and very itchy. My surgeon was already into the patient after me. And he still could have told the nurse to get me a benadryl. This was my 2nd worst experience at this surgical center. Way too many great reviews, am wondering if the staff are writing such great reviews? The charge nurse was the same one from 3 years ago Still treating patients awful. She didn't believe I have so many drug allergies. And she till can't start an intravenous line properly. I stand with my first review from 2021 and 2024. Lousy nursing care.

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Heidi Varona

I went to see Dennis Dum, APRN C after I had 3 app ointments rescheduled stating the Dr. was not available on each appointment they cancelled on me. Was sent for normal screening by my primary Dr. When I saw Dennis, he asked why I was there and when I told him my primary wanted me to go for normal screening & he took out the colonoscopy prep paper and gave it to me. I began to tell him I don't really want to do one of those, but explained I had some gastro issues before, but I could not finish as he was very dismissive and made the conversation very rushed, like he had better things to do. He told me to do an endoscopy first to see & then we could decide on the colonoscopy. I left not feeling very confident about the appointment. I should've gone with my gut feeling, not to continue here, but I went to my Endoscopy appointment; there on time as they quoted me. My husband and I walk into an office with about 10-20 people in the lobby. I checked in and filled out appropriate forms right away. After sitting there for 1 hour & half, I start getting concerned. The receptionist had gone missing for almost 10 minutes and new patients are waiting at the window to check in. I had text my husband that I was going to have to leave as it's been too long waiting considering I was fasting as well for the procedure. He then tells me that this place has bad reviews, a lot of which claim the same problem with waiting excessive amount of time to be taken back for the procedure. One stating there were bed bugs! I let the receptionist know to cancel this appointment and any other appointments as I had been waiting for an 1hour, and half and she said without looking up; "It was a total 4hr procedure time", which I was never told this time frame. Not polite and not willing to apologize for the inconvenience seeing as you have to fast for this, and I hadn't had a drop of water. It's insane to make patients wait this long for a procedure when they give you a time to be there to check you in. This place and Dr is only about making money and seems to try to get in as many patients as possible for that day, regardless of if the patient has to wait 1-3 hrs to even be taking back for prep. I say it was a blessing that it took that long, so I didn't have the procedure there as I read more and more of the reviews. My advice, find another gastroenterologist, I do not recommend this place.

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Ashly Denmark

The front office lady there was extremely rude during my mother's eye surgery day. Didn't catch her name because I was afraid to ask any questions. She was ZERO help each time I called. I asked to check on my mom 5 hours after her scheduled surgery time. She told me , "everyone back there is fine" I asked to speak to a nurse that can give me an update she refused and just kept saying everyone is fine.

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Kirsten Dewberry

So I'm still currently in the office. My appointment was at 12 and I have been waiting 2.5 hours to be seen at this point. Now for the doctors working at this facility how is it ethical to have patients, who are already suffering, not eat or drink 12+ hours before their procedure then make them wait even longer. I couldn't take my medication this morning so I'm in pain. I have malnutrition due to my stomach issues so now I'm dehydrated and in pain waiting an absurd amount of time to be seen. I have had a few different procedures and they have never gone like this. Honestly I don't know how this place is still allowed to practice seeing as this has been a problem for awhile based off of other reviews.