4 /5 S Berns: 3/5/25 Came to Valley Regional ER in an ambulance after a car accident. (The rest of my party was unhurt, dealing with the hit-and-run police report, and getting new transportation.) We were on vacation from Colorado so I didnt know anything about the areas facilities and had to handle questions by myself, while in excruciating pain. EMTs told us about 2 facilities and this seemed larger, so we chose this one. Friendly doctors, technicians, and basically everyone I interacted with. I was in a lot of pain due to a fractured collarbone and bruised sternum. It felt like it took quite a while for anyone to see me, take x-rays, or get pain meds. I was only there for 2-1/2 hours, but when youre in a lot of pain and alone it seems like a very long time. There was no call button or way to call for assistance - glad I didnt have to rush to the bathroom - and information on the board in the room was 2 days old and not updated for me (see pic). I was able to get the location from the board so I could tell my party where I was! Thats important! I do realize I wasnt dying, just hurt and scared, so Im sure they needed to take care of more serious situations first. It would have been much more comforting to have had a call button (or some way to get ahold of someone if I needed help), someone who regularly checked in on me to see how I was doing, or any information about the doctor/nurse/etc.
Registration came in mid-way through my visit to get the insurance info. I asked but they forgot to give me a copy of all the paperwork I signed. They seemed a little busy that day so Im sure if I call them they can/will get that sent to me.
Doctor gave me some pain meds there and adjusted them when he realized they werent working. Also sent some rxs to a pharmacy for me to pick up later. Gave me directions, but when you have had morphine its hard to remember everything. He said everything would be written down, but not really. He told me I didnt really need to go back to CO immediately since I would be in the same amount of pain there and it would last at least a week. No kidding. A broken collarbone is excruciating!
(When I went back to CO and saw my primary, they took new xrays, found a displaced fracture of the collarbone and recommended surgery. The xrays taken at the ER were at an angle due to me not being able to move very well and didnt show an obviously displaced fracture; it just showed the fracture. Although the rxs dulled the pain, I probably should have had the surgery earlier than a week after the accident. Thats my call though and doc did tell me to come in if the pain got worse.)
Overall, a good "visit" to Valley Regional Medical Center ER. I would recommend them if youre on vacation, have an emergency, and need help.
