SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

My daughter was hospitalized for ongoing vomiting and inability to tolerate food. Throughout the stay, I repeatedly reported that she was bringing up food and medications from hours earlier, along with burning and pressure beforehand. These observations were not consistently taken seriously.

There were also significant concerns with medication management. At one point, she went approximately 16 hours without receiving her prescribed seizure medication, despite it being ordered on a regular schedule. This delay raised serious concerns about patient safety and communication between staff.

For five days, we were repeatedly told that the team was “discussing the next option,” but no clear plan or direction was communicated. This ongoing lack of clarity made it feel like her care was being delayed rather than actively managed.

There were also concerns regarding procedures and communication. The first feeding tube went past the marked point and became kinked. The second feeding tube had to be taken back to be corrected after placement. We were also told that my daughter had removed a tube, despite documentation indicating one was not properly secured after a seizure. I was made to feel blamed for not somehow keeping it safe during a medical event.

Additionally, there were instances where staff were speaking about my daughter near her room in a manner that felt inappropriate and unprofessional, which added to the overall distress of the situation.

I provided photos and videos of her episodes, but not all providers reviewed them, which led to gaps in understanding her condition. At times, it felt like staff were quicker to assign a label than to fully evaluate the pattern of symptoms.

While some staff members were helpful and attentive, overall communication and coordination between teams felt inconsistent. As a parent who has been managing these symptoms for over two years, I expected a more thorough and collaborative approach.

Families should not have to fight this hard to be heard when clear, repeatable symptoms and safety concerns are being documented.

My mother was airlifted here after suffering what the doctor called a catastrophic brain aneurysm. Needless to say something like that is not survivable and she passed. This review is two part, and I will explain the 1 star rating. The entire medical team was absolutely amazing, her nurses were all so sweet and cared for her in her final hours with the dignity that every human being deserves. Her doctors kept us all well-informed and helped us to make the best possible decisions for her and to honor her. And they explained everything in as delicate a manner as possible. The pastoral staff were very intuitive, they wanted to know who this person was, what was she like and they just let us talk while they listened. They were gracious and understanding during such a difficult time. The hospice team was very kind and offered us solace in knowing that my mother would be comfortable as she passed. It was there respect, and their dignified way of handling such difficult things that keep this from being a negative review possible. Now on to the bad, your entire security team are cold and calloused people. I understand wanting to keep a campus secure, I really do. However, when people present to the ER wanting to be with their father to help him as his wife my mother is dying they should be treated humanely. Instead, I was presented with a phone number and told to call the ER department. After finally getting through I explained the situation and the nurse said yes of course tell security to escort you back to the family consult room. I hung up and informed security, there response was NO, that is not how it is done. I said this is what the nurse literally just said to do can't you just radio back and confirm? My mom is dying and my dad is back there alone. After waiting around for several minutes they finally called back and decided to let my wife and I in. About an hour later my brother and our close cousin arrived. They had been searching for my mother's directives so that we could honor any wishes as best as possible. They called me, they were at security and were being told NO they can't come in. Our cousin said I understand if I can't go back and the security officers said NO none of you can go back. They were fully ready to deny our family the right to be together during one of the most difficult times of our lives. They were heartless and disgusting. I immediately jumped up and retrieved a nurse, I told her what was happening and she said this is unacceptable. She escorted me to security and they still weren't going to let them. She finally laid it out to them and they relented as long as she took full responsibility of them. My Mother only survived another night, she was moved to ICU and cared for so greatly but every interaction with security was like this. We were treated like sub-human criminals. And treated as if we were trying to infiltrate a prison, so much so that when I contemplated stepping outside to get some fresh air and just talk with God I feared that I wouldn't make it back inside to be there for my mother. No family under these circumstances should ever have to experience that, and I am prepared to do what I can to ensure that doesn't happen. Once again the people that actually make up your hospital were amazing and I can't thank them enough for the care they gave my mother but your security are heartless and cold people. I would love if you had your chief of security reach out about this. No family should ever be met with such callous and chilled emotions when they are dealing with the death of a loved one.

The Dr's and nurse's were some of the best I've ever encountered.

Nurse in ED by security office lied to security saying I had cursed her. I told her I wanted to speak with the nurse supervisor and she said I could not. I told her I was going to get my phone. Tried to go back in to my sick friend and security said I could not go back in. Unbelievable. They just sent my sick friend back home and she can't even see. She can't even dial a phone number on her phone. How can they discharge her back home like this?

I only got the correct food order once in 3 days. I was left sitting in my own urine for long periods. I was discharged without clear follow up instructions. We got no clear answers as to my condition. It was a horrible experience for me and my husband.

Very few people in the ER and waited over 2-hours for simple test results.

After completing initial scans they advised my fiancée ANOTHER test will be run and to wait another two hours. If you think a test should be ran, run it, what is wrong with the unethical practices at this hospital? You will actively kill someone through these practices. There is medical history of blood clots in this family and due to malpractice or ignorance they did not run those tests initially. Avoid avoid avoid this places.

Worst hospital ever.. was in car accident.. had shattered clavicle, broken ribs etc.. local hospital said I'd need surgery and immediately transferred me to st Louis University hospital.. when I arrived several people cut all my clothes off and checked for other injuries..took inventory of my belongings including $ in my wallet.. gave me shot for pain .. as soon as they all left room I had my eyes closed resting as shot they gave was helping with pain.. heard noise..opened my eyes to see black girl taking cash out of my wallet.. asked her what she was doing..she said counting my $ .. I informed her that already did that.. she threw my wallet back in bag and stormed out..we all know what was going on there.. minutes later they wheeled me out in hall way and left me there.. pain kicked in again..I was literally screaming at nurses/staff as they walked by to get something for pain..they completely ignored me as if I wasn't there..wouldn't even look at me.. since this was in middle of the covid shutdown they told me they couldn't do surgery and literally threw me out of hospital early in the am.. since I had no clothes or shoes they gave me baggy sweat shirt, pants and socks..I stood out in front of hospital for about two hours waiting for somebody to pick me up .. shattered clavicle never healed right..bone sticks out about an inch..extreme pain in shoulder and between shoulder blades..

I received excellent care from doctors and nurses during my hospital stay. I would gladly recommend St. Louis University Hospital for anyone requiring aid for their health issues

My visit there was absolutely amazing for the last time I was there the staff was so professional.

The surgery team was fantastic. The surgeon explained everything that they planned on before the procedure and then explained everything that was done during the surgery.