St Francis Hospital & Med in West Hartford, CT

Pros

• The hospital saved a life during a 2022 stroke and heart attack and delivered world-class care with excellent follow-up.
• The consultation with Dr. Kachala went very well; he listened, offered options, and showed genuine compassion.
• The Endoscopy Team was wonderful - efficient, professional, kind and friendly.
• The foot surgery experience was excellent, with amazing staff and a caring surgical team.
• Saint Francis staff went above and beyond to support a surrogate birth, making the delivery smooth and memorable.
• The labor and delivery nurse Jess provided calm, attentive, and compassionate care, making the experience empowering.
• Nurse Nurcan in the ER did an amazing job, delivering excellent care.
• The hospital is beautiful, clean, and modern, with friendly, helpful staff and efficient parking/valet service.
• The spine and joint unit staff delivered excellent care that patients remember.

Cons

• They describe Saint Francis as the worst hospital they have ever visited.
• They say the ER staff were unprofessional, uncaring, and slow to respond.
• They report long wait times for care and delays in tests or treatment, sometimes hours.
• They accuse the hospital of overcharging patients and failing to adjust bills after complaints.
• They claim the facility is dirty or poorly maintained, with unclean rooms and even used items left in common areas.
• They assert that communication from doctors and nurses was inconsistent or lacking, with little explanation of plans of care.
• They warn others to avoid Saint Francis and say they would not recommend it.
• They report incidents of lost or stolen belongings, highlighting safety and security concerns.

Review

St Francis Hospital & Medical Center in West Hartford is best suited for families that place a premium on specialized surgical and maternity care and can tolerate a highly variable overall experience. The campus shows promise in its clean, modern presentation, efficient surgical pathways, and some nursing teams that genuinely shine - particularly in the spine and joint service, the endoscopy team, and the labor-and-delivery unit. For a family member needing planned procedures, prompt pre- and post-op coordination, and solid inpatient care in select departments, St Francis can deliver a favorable, calm, and competent experience when everything goes smoothly.

Those who should consider alternatives are families prioritizing consistently reliable emergency care, uniform bedside manner across units, and predictable discharge planning. The ER and inpatient floors reveal a troubling pattern of long waits, uneven staffing, and uneven communication. Several reviews describe hours-long delays, perceived indifference, and frequent staffing shortages that can leave patients sitting in hallways or waiting for pain relief and basic support. For urgent or unpredictable health needs, other providers in the region - such as Hartford Hospital or Yale-New Haven Health affiliates - often present as more dependable in throughput and coordination.

The strongest pros - sanitation and facility ambiance, parking logistics, and select teams delivering exceptional care - do offset some of the downsides, but not enough to neutralize the main drawbacks for most families. When a patient lands in the spine-and-joint unit or undergoes a well-organized same-day or minor operative experience, the staff can be courteous, communicative, and competent. Multiple accounts highlight nurses and physicians who listened, explained procedures, and advocated effectively for patients' comfort and safety. In those moments, the hospital feels capable, organized, and patient-centered, which counters the otherwise common complaints about wait times or inconsistent bedside attention.

The principal cons otherwise dominate the overall perception: systemic understaffing, uneven responsiveness, billing friction, and inconsistent quality across departments. Accounts range from life-saving care under pressure to tales of hours-long ER queues, forgotten medications, or miscommunications about care plans. Several reviewers point to administrative gaps - patient relations that feel impersonal or slow to act, and billing issues that complicate financial reconciliation after a stressful hospitalization. There are also recurring concerns about basic comforts and safety, such as room temperature, food quality, adherence to routines, and the integrity of call-bell responsiveness. The message is clear: experiences hinge heavily on which team a patient encounters on a given day.

For families considering St Francis, practical guidance sharpens decision-making. If the plan centers on a definite procedure with a trusted surgeon or a positive childbirth experience, the hospital can be a strong option, evidenced by commendations toward specific clinicians and supportive staff who "make you feel safe" during high-stress moments. Prospective patients should capitalize on those strengths by researching staff on the relevant floor before admission, requesting a designated nurse or care team when possible, and setting expectations for post-op or post-discharge planning. It also helps to engage a patient advocate or family liaison early, and to verify discharge needs and follow-up coordination in writing.

In sum, St Francis offers pockets of excellence that can justify choosing it for planned, specialty care, particularly where a calm, well-coordinated intra-hospital experience is achievable. However, for families whose decision hinges on consistently swift ER access, uniform bedside care, and seamless administrative handling, alternatives deserve serious consideration. The hospital's variability is real: superb in some units, deeply challenging in others. Weigh the importance of targeted, high-quality specialty care against the likelihood of navigating episodic care gaps, and plan accordingly. If certainty and steadiness across the entire hospital stay are non-negotiables, explore other options - while keeping in mind that when the right team is involved, St Francis can still deliver a standout, life-affirming experience.

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)