GODS CHILD PCH

Pros

• The Piedmont staff were thanked and appreciated.
• Hemo/Oncology was great, and the nurses and doctors on floor 5 did their best.
• Cardiology was super friendly and helped the children feel at ease.
• The staff make families feel at home and truly care about their child.
• The oncology department stepped up and did a wonderful job for their patient.
• Families wouldn't go anywhere else for their children.

Cons

• The hospital is described as neglectful toward sick children, providing no monitors or labs and sending them home.
• The pediatrics staff, including Dr. Bell, are portrayed as horrible and dismissive of children.
• A doctor is criticized for poor communication and for traumatizing the child.
• ER wait times are deemed unacceptable, with long delays and slow radiology, and physicians are seen as dismissive when asked for updates.
• An infant was kept bleeding in the waiting room for 8+ hours, highlighting severe understaffing and under-resourcing.
• The facility is described as disgusting and at risk of shutdown, with strong warnings to stay away.
• There are accusations of discrimination, intimidation, and involvement of social services after questioning doctors or medical records.

Review

The collection of experiences presents a hospital system that evokes starkly contrasting emotions and outcomes. For some families, Piedmont Hospital has provided attentive, knowledgeable, and even life-changing care. They describe departments such as Hemo/Oncology, Cardiology, and certain pediatric teams as compassionate, skilled, and reassuring. Members of the staff on the fifth floor and in the oncology unit are praised for making patients feel like they were at home, for being friendly, patient, and thorough, and for empowering families during scary diagnoses. A few parents and relatives express deep appreciation for nurses and doctors who seemed to go above and beyond, with one person noting a nurse's generosity and another highlighting a team that felt "on point" and well-informed. Several reviews recount successful experiences around surgeries, diagnoses, and treatments that brought relief to anxious families, including spinal surgery and cancer-related care. Overall, these accounts emphasize empathy, expertise, and moments of genuine support that stood in stark contrast to the more negative messages found elsewhere in the same set of reviews.

Yet, a substantial portion of the feedback centers on significant concerns about delays, communication gaps, and what many feel to be inconsistent or inadequate care, especially in urgent situations. Numerous reviewers describe lengthy waits in the emergency department, sometimes spanning many hours, sometimes extending into the late evening or overnight, with little to no updates from staff. One account specifically mentions an infant left bleeding from the head in the waiting room for eight hours, and another describes a 5-hour wait after arriving with a fever and abdominal pain, with ultrasounds and tests completed far later than national norms. Several families report that when their child's condition appeared serious, the response felt slow or insufficient, leaving them anxious, exhausted, and worried about the level of monitoring and intervention being provided.

There are also recurring criticisms about the way care is communicated and about diagnostic decisions. A number of reviewers allege dismissiveness from clinicians - being told that a child has only a cold, or not being believed about the severity of symptoms like breathing trouble or croup - and they describe a pattern of being sent home repeatedly, only to discover the condition worsens. In one notably charged account, a pediatrician was accused of dismissing a patient's illness and clinicians were described as looking incredulous or unsympathetic when questions were asked about tests or results. Complaints extend to the perception that some physicians were slow to communicate test results, to integrate information from testing, or to coordinate care across departments, which amplified parents' frustration during already stressful episodes.

The negative experiences are not limited to clinical decisions or wait times; they also touch on the hospital's culture and interpersonal dynamics. Several reviews allege disrespectful or discriminatory behavior, including a sense of being judged because of language, cultural background, or spiritual practices. One family describes feeling unsafe and unheard after interactions with multiple doctors and social workers, with further distress stemming from concerns about how their case was documented and handled. There are mentions of social workers and child protective services involvement, accusations that seemed to stem from miscommunication or perceived bias, and a fear that questions about medical records or care plans could trigger further professional or legal consequences. The rhetoric in these accounts is intense and clear: some patients left feeling dehumanized, misrepresented, or unfairly treated.

In some passages, the sentiment shifts again to acknowledge the hospital's capability to provide excellent care in specific contexts or to particular teams. Positive anecdotes mention that a family's child underwent surgery or received targeted, specialized care with prompt, compassionate professionals who were described as "great" and "friendly" and who contributed to a sense of relief at crucial moments. The dichotomy is striking: while some departments and shifts delivered memorable, high-quality care, others left families feeling neglected, dismissed, or overwhelmed by process failures and resource constraints. A recurring theme is the importance of staffing levels and the cascading impact on patient experience; several reviewers attribute long waits and perceived under-resourcing to mass casualty events, staffing shortages, or systemic strain.

Taken together, the narratives illustrate a hospital landscape of exceptional capability and profound vulnerability. On one hand, there are unwavering tributes to dedicated nurses, physicians, and specialists who provided comforting support, precise interventions, and successful outcomes. On the other hand, there are urgent appeals for better triage, clearer and more respectful communication, faster access to testing and imaging, and more consistent, patient-centered care - especially in pediatrics and emergency settings. The underlying message from these accounts is clear: when the system is able to mobilize effectively, families experience relief and trust; when it stumbles, fear, frustration, and a sense of being unheard quickly take hold.

For families considering care at this hospital, the stories suggest a pragmatic approach: seek information about current wait times, staffing levels, and which departments are operating at higher capacity; prepare for variable experiences depending on the time of day and the specific team you encounter; and advocate for clear communication and timely updates if your child's condition is urgent. It's also valuable to weigh the documented strengths - such as strong pediatric subspecialists, dedicated oncology and cardiology teams, and compassionate caregivers - with the ongoing concerns about emergency room experiences and the need for more consistent family-centered communication. The spectrum of reviews underscores that, in this hospital, outcomes and experiences can be profoundly positive or deeply challenging, often within the same organization and across different encounters.

This part of Augusta, Georgia offers a variety of amenities and services that could be beneficial for seniors looking to relocate. With multiple hospitals and pharmacies within close proximity, healthcare access is readily available. There are also a range of dining options, including fast food restaurants, Mexican cuisine, and coffee shops for social outings or quick meals. Additionally, places of worship provide spiritual support, while nearby parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. Transportation options are convenient with two airports nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational activities that could cater to the needs and interests of seniors considering senior living in Augusta.

Hospitals

• East Central Regional Hospital (1.3 miles)
• East Central Regional Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Covidien (3.7 miles)
• Davita Kidney Care (5.4 miles)
• Ddeamc (5.8 miles)
• Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (6 miles)
• University Hospital Summerville (6.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Medical Center Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Barney's Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Barney's Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (5.2 miles)

Restaurants

• China 8 Restaurant (1.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Waffle House (1.7 miles)
• Veracruz Mexican Restaurant (2.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Apostolic Faith (1.5 miles)
• Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh (1.9 miles)
• Canaan Baptist Church (2 miles)
• Faith Family Life Center (3 miles)
• Oasis Church at Hephzibah (4 miles)
• New Testament Christian Church (4.1 miles)
• Liberty United Methodist Church (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Center For Primary Care (2.5 miles)
• Southern Family Medical Center (3.1 miles)
• Medical Associates Plus (3.5 miles)
• Arun Jain PC (5.2 miles)
• DDEAMC Internal Medicine (5.8 miles)
• Summerville Internists (6.2 miles)
• Women's Health of Augusta (6.2 miles)

Parks

• Diamond Lakes Recreation Park (3 miles)

Transportation

• Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) (4.2 miles)
• Augusta Regional Airport Aviation Services (4.2 miles)
• Daniel Field Airport (DNL) (6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee (6.6 miles)