Oswego Hospital Extended Care in Oswego, NY

Pros

• The care was excellent.
• The hospital care team was awesome.
• The ER staff saved the patient's life.
• The ICU staff did everything to save the patient's life.
• The professionalism, time management, care, and procedure at the surgery center were exemplary.
• The staff and doctors did a great job caring for the patient and family.
• The ambulance crew, doctors, and ER staff were outstanding.
• The staff were friendly and helpful, and the ER was clean and efficient.
• The facility was clean, respectful, and pleasant.
• The nurses and doctors explained everything clearly and made the family comfortable.

Cons

• The ER is described as the absolute worst, with rude and unprofessional staff.
• Patients wait for hours to be seen, sometimes for 7+ hours, despite being in pain or distress.
• Billing practices are criticized as confusing and overpriced, with separate charges for doctors and the hospital.
• HIPAA/privacy rights violations and unprofessional behavior by nurses are alleged.
• The hospital is viewed as understaffed and lacking accountability, leading to delays and poor care.
• Families are left in the dark and unable to obtain timely information about loved ones or discharges.
• Many reviewers advise against going to Oswego Health, suggesting other hospitals instead.
• The environment is described as smelling awful and uncomfortable, with poor patient comfort.
• Mental health care is said to be not taken seriously by the facility.

Review

This Oswego campus is best suited for families who live nearby and want ready local access to acute and emergency care, with a track record of capable ICU and surgical teams when staffing cooperates. It serves as a solid anchor for those who value a familiar, full-service hospital in the community and who are comfortable navigating the variability that follows from a busy regional center. In other words, it works well for families that can advocate for a loved one, tolerate busy periods, and value the option of staying close to home for both routine procedures and serious incidents.

Certain families may want to consider alternatives. When timely, consistently courteous care is non-negotiable, Upstate or St. Joseph's/Crouse can offer faster triage and a different staffing rhythm that some reviewers found preferable. For non-emergency needs or for a calmer inpatient experience, private clinics or other nearby facilities may provide steadier communication and fewer delays. Behavioral health and some highly time-sensitive specialties also show noticeable variation in satisfaction, suggesting that those with urgent or nuanced needs should weigh options beyond the Oswego campus.

The strongest positives center on specific teams and departments that can deliver exceptional care. Multiple reviews highlight compassionate bedside manners from nurses and physicians, clear explanations from doctors, and effective collaboration in urgent situations. The Surgery Center and imaging services can be impressively efficient, with some patients praising rapid, well-coordinated care and timely results. Several families recount memorable, personalized attention from dedicated staff, including dietary teams that accommodated picky eaters and clinicians who sat with patients to address questions. When the right people are on the case, the care can be thorough, reassuring, and life?saving.

Yet the most persistent blemishes point to a reality that colors decision-making. Long, sometimes hours-long waits in the emergency department, crowded triage situations, and reports of inconsistent bedside manners create a high-variability experience. Complaints about rude or indifferent front-desk staff, billing surprises, and lapses in privacy or communication recur across reviews. In some cases, critical symptoms and risk factors were not adequately escalated or communicated, leaving families uneasy about the predictability of care. This combination of strengths and flaws makes the Oswego system a mixed bag that requires guardianship from advocates.

The key is balancing the strengths against the risks. For conditions where trained teams can mobilize quickly and where a reliable ICU or surgical team is on the clock, Oswego Hospital can deliver standout outcomes. However, for families facing ongoing pain, complex symptoms, or time-sensitive deterioration, the gaps in wait times and consistency may offset the wins. If choosing this facility, plan to accompany a loved one through the process, request direct updates, and push for clarity on who is managing which aspect of care. It is prudent to verify current wait-time expectations and to steer to departments with documented responsiveness when possible.

Bottom line: Oswego Hospital Extended Care offers a locally familiar, capable option with moments of exemplary care, but it comes with notable variability that affects the patient experience. For families who prize proximity and value a few highly skilled clinicians and departments, it is a reasonable choice - with the clear caveat that advocacy and preparedness are essential. If reliability, uniformly respectful interactions, and predictable timelines are non-negotiable, exploring alternatives in the region is strongly advised. In any case, communicate expectations up front, identify a primary point of contact, and monitor care closely to ensure the most critical needs are prioritized as conditions evolve.

This part of Oswego, New York, offers a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to settle down. With several hospitals and physicians in close proximity, healthcare services are easily accessible. The area also boasts a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries like Oswego Sub Shop to upscale restaurants like Maria's. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby parks such as Franklin Park and Linear Park for leisurely walks or picnics. For entertainment, there is Oswego Cinema 7 and Midway Drive In Theatre for movie nights. Additionally, there are several places of worship within a short distance for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of amenities and services that cater to the needs of older individuals seeking a comfortable living environment in Oswego.

Hospitals

• Oswego Health (0 miles)
• Oswego Hospital (0 miles)
• Oswego Hospital Lakeside Heart Center (0.2 miles)
• Oswego Hospital Laboratories (1.7 miles)
• Oswego Hospital (11 miles)
• Oswego Health (11.1 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Orthopedic Group (0.1 miles)
• Endocrine Associates Of Oswego (0.2 miles)
• Young Hee Kim (0.3 miles)
• Oviatt Hearing & Balance (0.3 miles)
• Oswego Family Physicians, PC (0.3 miles)
• Oswego Podiatry (0.5 miles)
• Port City Family Medicine (0.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Oswego Sub Shop (0.1 miles)
• Maria's (0.3 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (0.3 miles)
• The Red Sun Fire Roasting Co. (0.3 miles)
• Oswego Bagelry & Sandwich Shop (0.3 miles)
• Eleven Brewing Company at the Cellar Door (0.3 miles)
• Vona's Restaurant (0.3 miles)

Theaters

• Oswego Cinema 7 (0.2 miles)
• Midway Drive In Theatre (5.8 miles)

Parks

• Franklin Park (0.3 miles)
• Linear Park (0.4 miles)
• Veterans Park (0.4 miles)
• Breitbeck Park (0.5 miles)
• Foster Park (10 miles)
• Fair Haven Beach State Park (12 miles)

Pharmacies

• Health Mart Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Wayne Drug Stores (0.3 miles)
• Harbor Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (10.2 miles)
• Hargraves Pharmacy (10.7 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (10.8 miles)

Cafes

• Cupcakers (0.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1 miles)
• Lakeside Taxidermy (10.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Stephen's Roman Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• St Paul's Roman Catholic Church (0.7 miles)
• Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (0.9 miles)
• Oswego Alliance Church (1.6 miles)
• River Of Life Church (2.2 miles)
• Minetto United Methodist Church (4.6 miles)
• Holy Family Rectory (10.2 miles)