Emergency Department at Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center
October 2024
Emergency Department
at Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Northridge Hospital
Northridge
,
CA
United States
Alexis Cuna, Dr. Frank Tarn, PJ Graffius

 

 

 

On Tuesday, my disabled son, M, was transported to Northridge Hospital ED from Topanga Terrace Rehab in Canoga Park, where he resides. He presented with a 101-degree fever. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by a nurse who made the initial contact. She was pleasant and very focused on his triage. We were told the ED doctor would be talking to us soon. About five minutes later, Dr. Tarn walked up, made his assessment, and told me the treatment plan. Five minutes later, we were taken to a room and made very comfortable. The ED RN, Alexi, inflated the waffle M.A.D. mattress on my son's bed for his comfort. This detail made me very happy because comfort seems to be a running theme here. Five minutes later, the Tech drew blood on the first attempt with very little discomfort to my son. Five minutes later, the Rad Tech took a chest X-ray. Ten minutes later, the ED RN, Alexi attempted to start a PICC line but noticed my son had a BM so she cleaned him up first and suctioned him to make him comfortable. She resumed inserting the line successfully. As we waited for the test results, RN Alexi continued to make sure M was comfortable. Then, like clockwork, Dr. Tarn returned with the test results and confirmed there was no infection in his urine, blood, or chest. With this good news, we waited for a short while and received his discharge papers. Transportation was ordered as we waited comfortably in his room. I walked to the nurse's desk to inquire where to get coffee and was informed that the hospital was closed. Then, the Tech, PJ, went to the break room and brought me a cup of hot coffee with creamer and gave me a cinnamon rice cake from her own personal stash! PJ was so very kind and thoughtful. I give Northridge Hospital ED staff the highest rating for delivering quality service, patient care, and patient safety. Also, it’s important to note that the ED was very busy with trauma cases, but the staff still made us feel like a priority. I hope this message goes to Dignity Health corporate because this ED staff needs to be recognized and commended for making our ED visit a pleasant experience.