St Francis Hospital & Med

Pros

• One reviewer described the 2022 stroke and heart attack care at St. Francis as life-saving and world-class, with excellent follow-up.
• A different reviewer called the hospital beautiful and clean with modern decor, noting efficient valet parking and friendly, helpful staff.
• A patient praised a foot surgery experience for minimal wait time, smooth check-in, and an amazing surgical team including Dr. Inocco, Naomi, Brandon, Angela, and the anesthesiologist Dr. Setter.
• A grateful commenter stated that the staff saved their life and expressed heartfelt thanks to the entire team.
• Another reviewer felt St. Francis is more caring and better than Hartford Hospital.

Cons

• The nurses never documented anything in the chart.
• The GI doctor couldn't be bothered with the patient.
• The nurse Colleen didn't know how to do anything and she tried going off on the patient.
• Saint Francis Hospital is not the hospital it used to be; staff has definitely gone downhill.
• The ER experience was the worst; the hospital denied admission and refused to treat the emergency.
• The hospital overcharges and owes money back to patients after paying charges insurance usually covers.
• The system is broken and people are kept in the hallway for days.
• The treatment was atrocious and unprofessional, with zero empathy.
• Insulin was refused for high blood sugar, with tests and billing prioritized over timely care.

Review

A chorus of experiences at Saint Francis Hospital (Trinity Health) runs from life-saving to life-frustrating, with many reviewers painting a picture of a facility that can feel like two hospitals in one. Some patients speak of care that saved their lives and staff who went above and beyond, while others recount chaos, delays, and a sense that the system is strained beyond its capacity. Taken together, the anecdotes reveal a facility whose fortunes often seem tied to the particular day, unit, and staff member involved.

Several first-person accounts focus on the ER experience and the fragility of timely, attentive care. In one recent incident, a patient arrived with abdominal pain and watched as a male nurse placing an IV for a CT scan left the room, only to have blood splatter on their sleeve, shirt, jeans, and the room's sheets. The patient says no one acknowledged the incident, prompting anger and a formal complaint to the charge nurse. A parallel thread in these stories is a perception of understaffing and overwhelmed systems: long waits, slow processes, and a sense that essential care is delayed because there aren't enough hands on deck. For some, this culminates in a negative view of the hospital as a place where basic safety and dignity can go missing in the press of high patient volumes.

Billing, billing, billing. Several reviewers narrate a troubling disconnect between care and cost, including bills that arrive after emergency visits with substantial out-of-pocket portions despite insurance coverage. One patient describes a $1,400 bill after insurance paid, followed by a grievance department "gift card" offer of $15 to Panera Bread that felt insulting given the financial stress and the lack of an immediate bill adjustment. The patient documented the experience with video and emails and ultimately ended up with a $0 balance, but only after threatening small-claims court. The recurring refrain is that the hospital's administrative and billing processes seem misaligned with patient care, leaving people to chase paperwork, dispute charges, and wonder whether their care will ever be properly credited or reimbursed.

Staffing and attention on specific units are central to many negative reviews. One story recounts a 10th-floor cardiology unit where the patient's father was not adequately monitored for hours, the primary doctor was hard to reach, and crucial monitors appeared to have been left off for long periods. The family felt that, after a week, the patient was moved back-and-forth between hospital and rehab without the needed stability of care, and they described the experience as emblematic of a system that can't consistently deliver timely, attentive treatment. Another ER tale describes an insistence on not admitting a patient who clearly needed care, followed by a switch to Yale Haven for admission when blood pressure dipped dangerously low - an experience that left the patient with a lasting sense that the hospital was failing to treat emergencies promptly.

Not all patients leave with a sour impression, however. A contrasting thread highlights moments of excellence and gratitude. A review from 2022 praises Saint Francis for saving a life after a stroke and heart attack, noting world-class care and excellent follow-up after discharge. Another account from a patient who underwent foot surgery at St. Francis speaks warmly of the experience: smooth check-in, short waits, and a team of surgeons and nurses - Naomi, Brandon, Angela, Dr. Inocco, and Dr. Setter (anesthesiologist) - who were "amazing," patient, and communicative. A separate description paints a vivid, positive portrait of a clean, modern hospital with efficient valet parking and patient-friendly amenities, even as the same visit notes room cleanliness concerns in a family waiting area. These stories remind readers that, when care teams are well-coordinated and attentive, the hospital can function at a high level and leave patients feeling genuinely cared for.

The sentiment about the overall environment is mixed but leans toward concern about systemic issues. Several reviewers describe the facility as overwhelmed, with patients in hallways and staff constrained by size and volume rather than by willingness or competence. One review uses strong language to call out a broken system, noting that staff are kind but unable to do what's needed due to the way the system is structured. The recurring warning - "do not go here unless it's an extreme emergency" - appears alongside tales of people who avoided disaster thanks to quick thinking, persistent advocacy, and a willingness to seek care elsewhere when needed. In some posts, the hospital's reputation shifts from "the hospital it used to be" to a place where patients fear repeating negative experiences, especially when family members have complex needs or long-term care requirements.

Amid the varied experiences, several recurring themes emerge. Communication gaps between patients, nurses, and doctors are cited as a major source of distress, whether it's about test results, treatment plans, or why certain procedures are performed. Staffing shortages and resource constraints are described as the invisible hand behind many claims of delays or neglect. Yet there are glimmers of hope - instances where compassionate, competent staff made a real difference, or where the organization's infrastructure - clean facilities, updated decor, parking services - contributed to a more positive overall impression. The juxtaposition of these highs and lows underscores a hospital that can deliver life-saving care and excellent service on some days, while on other days falls short of patient expectations and needs.

In the end, these narratives present a complicated portrait of Saint Francis Hospital. For some patients, the care they received was a lifeline - a necessary, skillful intervention delivered with empathy. For others, the experience was marked by fear, frustration, and a sense of systemic dysfunction that affected not only clinical outcomes but financial and emotional well-being. The common thread across the collection is a call for better consistency, clearer communication, and reforms that address both the emotional and logistical realities of caring for large, high-demand patient populations. Until those improvements are realized, patients and families will continue to weigh the hospital's strengths against its failings, choosing care venues based on the gravity of their medical needs and their tolerance for uncertainty.

This area of West Hartford, Connecticut offers a mix of amenities that cater to a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors. There are several cafes nearby for socializing or enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee. A variety of restaurants provide options for dining out, from casual eateries to upscale establishments. Access to pharmacies and medical facilities is readily available, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are places of worship within close proximity for spiritual fulfillment. Parks in the area offer opportunities for recreational activities and outdoor enjoyment. The presence of reputable physicians and hospitals nearby provides peace of mind for potential residents. Transportation options such as Union Station and Pratt & Whitney make it easy to travel within the city and beyond. Overall, this neighborhood in West Hartford provides a well-rounded living environment with a range of amenities tailored to meet the needs of seniors.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Blue State Coffee (4 miles)
• Dom's Coffee (4.7 miles)
• The Coffee Trade (4.7 miles)
• Rebel Dog Coffee Co. EAST HARTFORD (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Koma Japanese Steakhouse (0.1 miles)
• Lox Stock & Bagels (0.3 miles)
• Max's Oyster Bar (1.7 miles)
• Bartaco (1.8 miles)
• Barcelona Restaurant (1.8 miles)
• Zohara (1.8 miles)
• Restaurant Bricco (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Emanuel Synagogue (1 miles)
• Universalist Church of West Hartford (1.3 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Fernridge Park (1.4 miles)
• Elizabeth Park (1.6 miles)
• Bushnell Park (3.8 miles)
• Wolcott Park (3.8 miles)
• Satan's Kingdom State Recreation Area (3.9 miles)
• Sperry Park (4.7 miles)
• Stanley Quarter Park (6.4 miles)

Physicians

• Assoc'd Ear Nose and Throat Specialists (1.7 miles)
• Village For Families & Children (1.9 miles)
• Dr Parson's (2 miles)
• Starling Physicians (2.4 miles)
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Hartford (2.5 miles)
• Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD (2.5 miles)
• Medical Oncology and Blood Disorders (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• St Francis Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Menla Holistic Health (3.9 miles)
• Infectious Disease Division (4.1 miles)
• Newington Veterans Hospital (5.9 miles)

Transportation

• Union Station (3.6 miles)
• Pratt & Whitney (6 miles)