Alegent Health

Pros

• They praised the cardio unit nurses and doctors for wonderful, devoted care.
• They found the staff to be friendly, professional, and efficient, with appointments on time.
• They described the MRI experience as the best place for an MRI, thanks to great staff and an easy procedure.
• They highly recommended the CHI Mercy mammography department for professionalism and patient-centered care.
• They cited Dr. Macy as an excellent doctor who provided attentive and thorough care.
• They complimented nurse Carla for explaining everything clearly and being kind.
• They called the X-ray technician amazing and said the patient care was outstanding.
• They described the mammo technician as a gem.
• They noted Mercy Hospital staff as consistently kind, compassionate, and reassuring.

Cons

• The ER department needed serious restructuring as patients waited for hours without being seen.
• Billing was described as terrible and full of costly errors.
• The hospital was labeled as having incompetent doctors and questionable hiring standards.
• Patients were told they were ranked by severity, with their extreme pain ignored.
• Some nurses were described as nasty, contributing to unsafe and unsatisfactory care.
• People reported being discharged with life-threatening conditions or lacking adequate treatment.

Review

A broad picture emerges from a long list of patient experiences at CHI Mercy and Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. The collection includes stories of extraordinary compassion and professional care alongside accounts of frustrating delays, confusing triage decisions, and administrative missteps. Taken together, the reviews sketch a hospital system that can deliver excellent, person-centered care in some moments and struggle with ER workflow, communication, and billing in others.

Several critics recount harrowing or stressful ER experiences, with long waits and perceived gaps in urgent care. One parent describes arriving with a severely ill child and waiting well past the apparent triage moment, even after vitals were taken and blood drawn, and feeling charged for a visit without timely attention. Other comments echo the impression that severity is judged by factors other than pain or distress, with patients reporting that people arriving after them were seen first, sometimes after hours of waiting. In one case, bleeding and persistent pain were not promptly addressed, and pain medication arrived only after a lengthy delay. These accounts highlight a fear that triage procedures and staffing levels may not always align with patients' most urgent needs.

Amid the concerns, though, are numerous positive testimonials that underscore the hospital's capacity for excellent care. Many reviewers praise quick, efficient service and a hospital environment that feels respectful and reassuring. A family member notes that a bone density test and a mammogram visit were met with "very respectful, personable" treatment, with comfort and minimal discomfort during the procedures. Another reviewer emphasizes how smoothly their ER visit went, with staff who were "very friendly and polite" and caregivers who kept them informed. The consistency of such remarks across departments suggests that, when things run well, the patient experience can be markedly positive.

The human side of care stands out in several specific compliments. Multiple reviews highlight individual caregivers who stood out for their empathy and communication. A nurse named Carla is singled out for explaining processes thoroughly and showing kindness, while a patient credits Dr. Macy with exceptional attention and a genuine commitment to their well-being. Night shift nurses Shannon and Madisyn receive special thanks for their care during recovery, and a patient praises the X-ray technician as amazing and the mammo tech as a gem. In the cardiology unit, the nurses - David, Allie, Morgan, Mackenzie, and Paige - are described as devoted and attentive, and a family member expresses gratitude for the staff's dedicated, compassionate support during a loved one's heart event.

Several reviews emphasize the hospital's operational strengths and comforting atmosphere. Commenters describe the facilities as clean and professional, with imaging and testing experiences that felt efficient and patient-centered. The sentiment that Mercy is a preferred CHI facility recurs, with many readers calling Mercy Council Bluffs a wonderful place to be because the people are kind, the care is professional, and the environment feels almost like home. Positive experiences are not limited to the emergency department; there are mentions of timely responses, respectful interactions, and smooth coordination across departments - whether during a routine imaging appointment or a post-surgical check-in.

Nevertheless, the feedback also includes strong cautions about experiences that some patients find unacceptable. A recurring theme is inconsistent bedside manners or perceived rudeness among some staff, particularly during day shifts in the ER. Some reviewers describe feeling dismissed or rushed, with criticisms extending to food service and meal timing that didn't meet a patient's dietary needs. Billing and administrative issues are another frequent lament: repeated claims of incorrect charges, confusion over bills, and a sense that the financial side of care undermines the overall experience. One reviewer even warns against relying on the hospital for critical care, recounting a situation where life-threatening concerns went unaddressed and a later diagnosis revealed more serious issues.

Taken as a whole, the range of experiences reflects a health system capable of outstanding care and compassionate, skilled professionals, alongside ongoing opportunities to improve ER operations, triage consistency, communication, and administrative processes. The positive stories spotlight dedicated clinicians and techs who go above and beyond to inform, comfort, and treat patients with respect. The negative, urgent-by-need accounts point to systemic pressures - wait times, shifting staff dynamics between day and night, and frustrating billing hurdles - that can undermine otherwise strong clinical care. For patients and families, the message is clear: there are moments of exceptional warmth and competence, but there is also a pressing call for reforms that smooth the path from the door to diagnosis and treatment, especially in the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the emergency department.

Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this area offers convenient access to a variety of essential services for senior living. With multiple hospitals such as Mercy Hospital and University of NE Medical Center within a short distance, residents can easily access healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby for medication needs. Restaurants like Village Inn and La Mesa Mexican Restaurant provide dining options close by, while parks such as Lake Manawa State Park offer opportunities for outdoor activities. For relaxation and socializing, cafes like Rally Coffee Co. and Archetype Coffee are only a short drive away. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with essential amenities for seniors considering living in the area.

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital - CHI Health (0.1 miles)
• Bluffs Family Health Care (3.3 miles)
• University of NE Medical Center (7.2 miles)
• Va Medical Center (7.3 miles)
• Nebraska Medical Center (7.4 miles)

Physicians

• Bluffs Psychiatric Associates PC (0.2 miles)
• CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine/Pediatrics/Priority Care (W Broadway) (3 miles)
• Creighton Medical Association - Old Market (5.1 miles)
• Childrens Physicians (5.7 miles)
• III Bennie Upchurch R MD (6.1 miles)
• Downtown Pediatric Clinic (6.2 miles)
• H.E.L.P. Foundation of Omaha (6.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CHI Health Pharmacy (Valley View) (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Omaha International Food Mart (5.8 miles)
• Walgreens (6.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Village Inn (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• La Mesa Mexican Restaurant (2.8 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (3.1 miles)
• Arby's (3.2 miles)
• Sapp Bros (3.2 miles)
• Panda Express (3.3 miles)

Transportation

• Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) (3.7 miles)
• Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF) (4 miles)
• Union Pacific Railroad (5.1 miles)

Parks

• Lake Manawa State Park (4.8 miles)
• Slides (4.9 miles)
• Gene Leahy Mall (5 miles)
• Turner Park (6.3 miles)
• Hanscom Park (6.6 miles)
• Brown Park (7 miles)
• Standing Bear Lake (8.3 miles)

Cafes

• Rally Coffee Co. (5 miles)
• Archetype Coffee (5.2 miles)
• Archetype Coffee (7.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church Of The Holy Spirit (9.6 miles)