St. Joseph's Hospital
SaveAmalia Drive #1, Buckhannon, WV 26201
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
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The collection of patient experiences at this hospital presents a diary of contrasts. On one side, there are moments of swift, compassionate care that leave a lasting positive impression; on the other, there are episodes of frustration, fear, and questions about safety, billing, and the overall responsiveness of the system. Taken together, the reviews form a complex picture of a facility that can deliver high-quality, human-centered care in some circumstances, while simultaneously revealing significant gaps in others.
Several ER visits stand out for their praise of quick attention and clear communication. In a July visit for a child with high blood pressure and other symptoms, the family arrived to a scene where staff worked efficiently, and a bed was secured with remarkable speed. The nurse and the physician were in soon after, and the overall experience was described as outstanding. Specific names - Emma, Kim, Hannah, Charity, and Dr. Dobranski - were cited as the caring professionals who contributed to that positive impression. In another note, the ER team is described as "amazing - communicative, caring, patient and understanding," and a later account highlighted a bright, clean ER environment, a thoughtful nurse, and a physician (Dr. Travis Fisher) who explained the condition and treatment plan in a way that helped the patient feel informed and supported. These kinds of experiences emphasize moments when the hospital demonstrates its capacity for empathy, efficiency, and professional competence.
Beyond the ER, there is strong, heartfelt praise for the Respiratory Rehabilitation program. The writer who recently graduated from the program described it as a place where staff truly cares about patients' health and well-being. The sentiment is that the people there are genuinely invested in patients' outcomes, and the recommendation to others is emphatic: go to St. Joseph's, because the staff's kindness and dedication are evident. That program is portrayed as a bright spot within the hospital ecosystem, reinforcing the idea that, when given time and attention, patients can receive targeted, compassionate care that supports their longer-term health goals.
However, a recurring thread throughout the reviews is concern about financial and administrative processes. A patient reports being charged incorrectly across multiple visits, including a $1500 bill for a procedure they did not need, with the back-and-forth process suggesting that the determination of necessity should have occurred at the initial visit rather than after an expensive test. These experiences cast doubt on the consistency and transparency of billing practices and raise questions about the alignment between care decisions and the costs billed to patients. In addition, there is a separate note about the podiatry office, described as a place where patients are left waiting indefinitely, underscoring a broader frustration with scheduling and throughput that extends beyond the ER.
Safety and bedside care concerns also surface in several accounts. One reviewer describes nursing in the ICU as "very poor" and not attentive to basic needs, highlighting a sense that essential caregiving might be slipping in some high-acuity settings. Another reviewer characterizes the hospital as a place where misdiagnosis is a risk and where a broader pattern of disengagement from patient needs can exist. There are also explicit safety worries about security practices: a claim that a security guard used a racial slur - allegedly the N-word - and a broader complaint that the security team may not be adequately trained to handle crisis situations, particularly for mental health concerns. Taken together, these notes raise legitimate concerns about safety culture, staff training, and the overall environment in which patients and families navigate medical crises.
Wait times and triage experiences further color the overall assessment. Several reviews recount long waits in the ER, with patients waiting for hours without being seen, to the point of leaving due to the delay. One account describes waiting for over four hours with a child who had a head injury, only to be told to monitor symptoms and delay procedures like CT scanning. Others describe 3-, 4-, or 5-hour waits in the waiting room, with some patients choosing to seek care elsewhere rather than endure prolonged, uncertain delays. In one case, a patient with chest pain reports that only an EKG was performed and that crucial family medical history was not fully explored due to a curt line of questioning. These experiences collectively suggest inconsistencies in triage, workflow, and the ability to deliver timely diagnostic testing when patients most need it.
Despite the negatives, there are nuanced moments of praise for individual clinicians, even within negative contexts. A parent recounts their teenage son's ER visit for chest pain where an otherwise positive relationship with a physician had deteriorated in the moment - driven by interrupted history-taking and a perceived lack of thoroughness. Yet in other posts, the same clinicians are described in highly favorable terms, suggesting that the quality of care can vary not just day by day but perhaps from clinician to clinician or shift to shift. This variability can leave patients and families uncertain about what to expect on any given visit, complicating the decision about where to seek care in a health system that already has mixed signals about reliability and outcomes.
In sum, the patient reviews describe a hospital that operates at peak level in moments of strong, compassionate clinical interaction - where ER teams move quickly, where dedicated staff in rehabilitation care for long-term health, and where individuals feel heard and understood. Yet the same system is perceived as faltering in other critical areas: billing accuracy, wait times that stretch to hours in the ER, inconsistent nursing attentiveness in high-acuity settings, and safety culture concerns that include allegations of racial insensitivity and insufficient crisis training. For families evaluating care, the hospital presents a paradox: signs of excellence and kindness in some encounters, juxtaposed with meaningful frustrations and safety concerns in others. The overarching message from these accounts is that improvements in administration, throughput, and safety training could help align the patient experience with the high-quality care evident in several personal stories.
St. Joseph's Hospital in Buckhannon, WV, offers a warm and welcoming assisted living community designed to promote comfort, safety, and well-being for its residents. With a comprehensive array of amenities, residents can enjoy a fulfilling and engaging lifestyle within a supportive environment.
The community features beautifully furnished accommodations complete with cable or satellite TV, Wi-Fi/high-speed internet access, and kitchenettes for personal convenience. Residents can take advantage of the serene outdoor spaces and well-maintained gardens that provide a peaceful retreat. The dining experience is elevated with restaurant-style service, catering to special dietary restrictions and promoting nutritious meal options tailored to individual needs.
St. Joseph’s emphasizes comprehensive care services including 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, medication management, and specialized programs focusing on mental wellness and diabetes management. Friendly staff members are dedicated to providing personalized support while encouraging independence.
Residents can participate in scheduled daily activities alongside resident-run events that foster social connections and engagement within the community. Housekeeping services ensure a clean living environment while move-in coordination makes transitions smooth for new residents.
Conveniently located near parks, pharmacies, physicians’ offices, restaurants, places of worship, and entertainment venues—a theater included—St. Joseph's Hospital provides easy access to essential services and recreational opportunities. Whether looking for assistance or a vibrant community atmosphere, St. Joseph’s offers an ideal setting for an enriching lifestyle tailored to meet each resident's unique needs.
This part of Buckhannon, West Virginia, offers a convenient and bustling environment with a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With multiple restaurants such as Taco Bell, Yummy Buffet, and C J Maggie's American Grill within walking distance, residents have plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are several places of worship nearby including Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Sago Baptist Church for spiritual fulfillment. For medical needs, there are multiple physicians' offices and pharmacies in close proximity, providing easy access to healthcare services. The community also boasts recreational opportunities with Upshur Village Cinemas and Audra State Park just a short drive away. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded lifestyle for seniors looking for convenience and accessibility in their daily activities.
St. Joseph's Hospital is located at Amalia Drive #1, Buckhannon, WV 26201 in Upshur County, West Virginia
St. Joseph's Hospital on seniors.fyi includes 6 photos including images showing landscaping, exterior, building, nurse, lighting, mountains, water, interior, and more.
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