Mercy Medical Ctr Hallmar

Pros

• Dr. Gordon was wonderful and explained things clearly; the General Surgery Clinic is recommended for hernia care.
• The Hall-Perrine volunteers, Larry and Stelmer, are awesome, and the hospital is loved.
• The hospital is described as the leading hospital in Cedar Rapids.
• The facility is described as a full-service medical center.
• The knee replacement patient praised surgeon Dr. Ahktar as excellent, and the recovery nurse Dutch as helpful and kind.
• Amber S. on the 9th floor is praised as an angel who provided comfort and support.
• The doctor and PAs are described as nice and great.

Cons

• Reviewers describe the ER as a mess where staff are dismissive and do not listen to patients.
• They say the ER had disgusting conditions, with blood splatter and needle caps left unreused, risking infections.
• There is frustration over an overnight-visitor policy that seems arbitrary and poorly communicated.
• Patients report delays and long waits, including surgeries scheduled late in the day and slow test results.
• The hospital is criticized for rude receptionists and a generally unprofessional attitude among staff.
• Postoperative care is seen as inadequate, with missing basic supplies and ongoing bleeding.
• Prescription and billing issues are described as chaotic, including misdirected prescriptions and unexpected charges.
• A patient claims unsafe treatment of mental health crises, with no apology or accountability.

Review

A wide portrait emerges from these patient experiences of Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids: there are moments of competent care and genuine compassion, but they are overwhelmed by recurring concerns about safety, organization, communication, and respect. Some people sing the praises of specific caregivers and clinicians, while many others describe ER chaos, dismissive attitudes, and a pattern of administrative and logistical problems that sour the overall experience. The threads run from small, personally meaningful positives to broad, systemic frustrations that leave patients feeling unheard, unsafe, or left to fend for themselves.

Several reviewers highlight that there are truly caring individuals on staff who make a meaningful difference. One patient praises Dr. Gordon at the General Surgery Clinic for taking the time to explain things in understandable terms, offering a rare sense of clarity in what can be a confusing medical path. Another account commends Amber S. on the 9th floor, describing her as an "angel" who offered calm support during a difficult moment with a deadline looming for a husband's Medicaid review. Positive notes also appear for a knee replacement experience, with a surgeon described as excellent and a recovery nurse noted as helpful, professional, and kind. These voices stand out in contrast to the many criticisms, suggesting that the quality of care can be high when providers communicate well and show genuine attentiveness.

A recurrent theme across many reviews is a perception of the ER as disorganized and unsafe. Several comments describe rooms "filled with blood splatter and caps from needles," and a general sense that rooms were not cleaned promptly, raising concerns about infection risk. One reviewer captures a broader sentiment with phrases like "The ER is a mess" and "Nobody knows what's going on or who is in charge," painting a picture of chaotic triage and unclear leadership. The fear of unsafe conditions is echoed by patients who report feeling dismissed or ignored during urgent care needs, including accounts of delays, miscommunication about what was happening, and a sense that staff were overwhelmed rather than coordinated.

Communication and patient interaction are another pain point. The reviews frequently describe rude or dismissive behavior from front-desk staff and some clinicians, a feeling that questions aren't welcome, and a sense that patients' concerns aren't being listened to. There are also stories of miscommunication about policies (for example, overnight visitors on the fifth floor) and inconsistencies in who enforces rules versus what the hospital policy actually states. One particularly troubling thread is the report of a mental health crisis considered unsafe by the reviewer, coupled with a long-standing sense of being unheard and a lack of satisfactory accountability or apology for past experiences. Taken together, these elements contribute to a climate where patients feel devalued even when the care itself can be technically adequate.

Postoperative and aftercare experiences reveal a mix of logistics and on-the-ground care issues. In one case, after a nasal sinus surgery, a nurse removed cotton balls from the nostrils in recovery, but another nurse did not provide any replacement supplies for home use, leaving the patient bleeding through the night and improvising with tape and toilet paper. A separate complaint centers on the financial and administrative aftermath of surgery: an insurance bill reportedly reaching around $30,000 for the hospital portion, coupled with difficulties obtaining necessary gauze pads and other post-discharge supplies. The result is a sense that the medical encounter was not fully supported by the ancillary steps that should accompany it, turning a procedure that should end in relief into an ongoing ordeal of logistics and payment.

The reviews also touch on systemic administrative frustrations that extend beyond the bed and the bedside. Patients describe long waits and delays in testing or treatment, with some feeling that care was hindered by poor coordination and unclear accountability. There are warnings about email responsiveness and an impression of a hospital culture where communication - even basic information about prescriptions or discharge planning - falls through the cracks. Comments about the financial experience include both the burden of bills and an impression of aggressive or confusing billing practices, including references to "bait and switch" experiences with financial aid and frustration over insurers and coverage. A few reviewers report that the hospital's emphasis on procedural excellence is undermined by these ongoing administrative problems.

There are also candid, highly personal experiences that highlight the emotional gravity of hospital stays. A patient recounts a pregnancy-related scenario where, after an extended wait in severe pain, the care team's approach felt dismissive or inappropriate, with accusations of seeking narcotics rather than evaluating the patient's actual needs. In another case, a reviewer describes a fear-inducing encounter in the ER during a seizure, where a doctor's response became a focal point of distress for the family. These stories underscore that, for some patients, the emotional and psychological safety of the hospital environment is as important as the physical safety and medical expertise being delivered.

Overall, the collection of experiences presents a hospital system with undeniable strengths in certain clinicians and moments of compassionate care, but with widespread and multifaceted criticisms of ER management, patient respect, communication, safety protocols, and the financial and administrative backbone that supports patient care. The recurring themes - chaos and uncertainty in the ER, inconsistent enforcement of policies, perceived dismissiveness, safety concerns about cleanliness and infection risk, and a burdensome billing/insurance experience - together point to a need for targeted improvements. The hopeful counterpoint, evident in the praise for dedicated clinicians and supportive staff like Amber and Dr. Gordon, suggests that progress is possible where leadership prioritizes clear communication, consistent processes, and a culture that centers patient dignity and safety alongside clinical expertise.

This area of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With numerous physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies within close proximity, medical care is easily accessible. Additionally, there are a variety of restaurants and cafes offering different dining options for seniors to enjoy. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation in nature. Places of worship also cater to spiritual needs within the community. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for senior residents seeking accessibility to healthcare, dining options, recreational activities, and spiritual support.

Physicians

• Family Physicians of Cedar Rapids PC (0.1 miles)
• Hall-Perrine Cancer Center (0.1 miles)
• Pediatric Center PC (0.1 miles)
• Dr Mary Altha Eyanson, MD (0.1 miles)
• Vincent J Reid MD (0.1 miles)
• Mercy Pediatric Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Uicom Cr Peds Clinic (0.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Medical Center (0.1 miles)
• Mercy Birthplace (0.1 miles)
• St Luke's Hospital 5C (0.5 miles)
• UnityPoint | St Lukes Cedar Rapids (0.5 miles)
• Southwest Regional Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Mercy Medical Center (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CarePro Home Medical (0.1 miles)
• Medical Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Aim Healthcare (0.2 miles)
• Jrs Pharma (0.9 miles)
• Hy-Vee Drugstore (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Midtown Station (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• Iowa Brewing Company L (0.4 miles)
• Pub 217 (0.5 miles)
• Black Sheep Social Club (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.6 miles)
• Chrome Horse Saloon (0.6 miles)

Parks

• Greene Square Park (0.3 miles)
• Van Vechten Park (1.5 miles)
• Sac and Fox Trail City Park (3.3 miles)
• Cherokee Trail Park (3.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Craft’d (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Central Church of Christ (1.9 miles)
• Temple Judah (1.9 miles)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Parsonage (3.3 miles)