Mean World Syndrome

In the heart of Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian stands as a beacon of medical excellence—or so it seems. Beneath its reputable exterior, this hospital harbors terrifying stories of staff negligence and chronic understaffing that have left patients in dire circumstances. In this article, we reveal the top ten horror stories from UPMC Presbyterian, showcasing a healthcare system beset by critical failures. Brace yourself for a chilling exploration of the ordeals faced by those who trusted this institution with their lives, only to encounter a real-life hospital hell.

10. Darrell Sampson Moore July 2023

Bad hospital my daughter got shot and the hospital staff wouldn’t let me back to see her until her mother got finished. Really like her mother was leaving her side smh stay away from presby! So I get there and Come across to security guards and I big lady behind the glass so I approached the lady and said I’m here to see my daughter she’s just been shot ! The lady rudely stated that we are only allowing one person in at a time, so I stated well I’m her father, and the lady said well her mother is back there with her now, then I said can you tell her to come out so I can go in, so at this point the lady at the desk behind the glass and another lady agreed to let me back there if I got the password so I got on the phone to get the password and as soon as I get in the password they change their mind again it would not let me see my daughter

9. Blanche Konieczka July 2023

The nursing staff was fine, not exceptional probably due to overwhelming patient assignment. However communication between departments is slow. The entire time I was there I was starving. At first they ordered me NPO, nothing by mouth, until I was assessed by a dietitian. Once I was assessed and deemed safe for food I had to wait for the doctors to be informed. They were but never put the order in for regular food. At this point I hadn’t had any food for almost 48 hours, other than a turkey sandwich I had to beg for at another UPMC emergency room the night before. Was deemed safe for discharge so they decided not to bother switching my diet. Thank the Lord a dear friend picked me up and took me out for lunch on the way home. Hoping to never have to go to Presbyterian again. Also had a newer room with no heating unit and a horrible shower that was impossible to adjust the water temperature. Too hot turned into too cold at the tiniest adjustment of the facet. Patient comfort seems to be a low priority here. Possibly the worst hospital experience in my entire life.

8. Niki Dulaney July 2023

While they kept my husband alive, the staff at UPMC are NOT good at communicating at all. They neglected to share pertinent information regarding injuries, tests and test results. Their nurses and doctors had no concern over things like blood in the urine and broken bones (on a patient in ICU). When I called to get information I was passed from one automated system to another and prompted to leave a voicemail and told someone would return my call within 24 hours. Nearly 2 months later I am still fighting to get questions answered and medical records sent to my husbands primary medical care team located in another state. Even though a authorization form was filled out and turned in (multiple times) they still will not send the records. Their reason for not sending records is due to be “under staffed”. This is the excuse I have been given for not receiving a call back after leaving multiple voicemails. No one there seems to know how to communicate correctly or in a timely manner.

7. India Griffin July 2022

Absolutely the worse service of any hospital I have ever been to. My brother has sickle cell anemia and came in for a pain crisis, a 9/10 on the pain scale which is excruciating pain. This type of pain can cause anything from a stroke to severe vomiting. As per the sickle cell pain crisis plan, the hospital was called ahead of time to let them know we were coming in so his specialty specific doctors would be ready to admit and treat upon arrival. We got there and were told we would have to wait like this was a typical visit. We calmly explained the procedure that is supposed to be followed and were blown off. After over 90 minutes of waiting and several calls and emails from the sickle cell coordinate team he was finally admitted for treatment. He went back and they proceeded to put him in the hallway, where he stayed for the duration of the stay. His IV was ripped out of his arm by a nurse “accidentally”. After some meds were administered and two doctors who seemed rushed and uninterested in the treatment of my brother he was able to be discharged after only about 90 minutes. This was his first time being here after being transferred out of children’s because he is now an adult. And it was the worst most traumatizing experience our family has experienced with his care. Everyone from the front desk to the nurses and doctors were very rude and condescending. Not sure if it’s because they aren’t equipped to deal with sickle cell patients because it primarily affects the African American community or because they were overwhelmed or because they simply did not care. But either way there is no excuse for how my brother was treated. We will not be going back to this hospital ever for any treatment of anything. Hopefully in the future they can do better for sickle cell patients who come here. If I could give zero stars I would.

6. tina h July 2022

I have never dealt with more in-course impassionate people in a medical facility in my life! Disrespectful. Employees constantly answering their personal phones, watched a secretary fast asleep at her desk for over 20 minutes, while her peers allowed it. My dads bedding was disgusting!! Like it hadn’t been changed in a week. After my dads surgery; a dr did not even come out to speak to me!!!! I had to approach the secretary and they had to page the dr over an hour after my dads surgery to speak with me. Seriously!!!! You need to step up your game UPMC Presbyterian. Your staff needs taught how to be compassionate as well as the doctors I guess!!! I’m appalled!!!!

5. Michelle Himes July 2022

When reading views I thought well places get negative views at time. Well come find out from experience now that this is the worst hospital to go to for emergency room. Wait forever to get back over 2 hours then when they get you back they have you go in a bed in a hallway. Filthy gross. Only nice person was my nurse I give her 5 stars since can only go to 5 but she deserves so much more. Then when dr comes talk to you like 6 hours later they can’t give no reason on why having fluid build up and mine you I never ever in my whole life never had fluid build up but past 3 weeks I have. They can’t even figure out why or what it coming from they just say drink lots water Well been doing that and one says Well maybe water pills ummmm okay why not find the source why I keep getting build up heck this dr just didn’t seem to want to figure it out and send ya away and another sad thing is ones need emergency surgery get prep right in hallway like how is that protect them from getting stuff. Wow good job hospital maybe need go back training on putting patients getting emergency surgery should be in a sterile clean room before prepping them in hallway

4. Destini Harrison July 2022

Security was rude and made a scene while my aunt was upstairs dying. Officer Peterson decided to yell and embarrassed my aunt, cousin and father. My dad decided to go down and speak with officer Peterson and he dismissed my dad and made another security officer take care of my father. NOTE: my family had permission to be with my aunt because we was going to take her off of life support. Officer Peterson proceeded to call his superior and made yet another scene and kick my 80 year old gram mother that is in a wheelchair and morning her daughters death. They threated my other aunt and told her that if we make a scene no one would be allowed to see my aunt at all. AS SHE WAS DYING! My family did not make a scene and left. The amount of extra stress and anxiety they put us through like we were not already heart broken from watching my 50 year old aunt die. I plan on speaking with the superior of security. If this is how the security is ran I am embarrassed for them. There are families going in and out of that hospital heart broken and how officer Peterson treated us was ridiculous.

3. Linda Banas July 2020

I had major back surgery recently. The nursing staff on the 6th floor were absolutely horrible!! They were very rude and agitated if you are in need of help. In intensive care I was extremely swollen and my oxygen level were high. I had to take Lasix to help get swelling down. Needless to say I had to pee constantly. Which definitely agitates the nurses. When you ring the bell for help they take their good old time to get to you!! I peed myself 6 times before I finally gave up and got out of my bed by myself. Making the nurses even more nasty. Blake was a aid of mine and he is the best person on that floor. I’m having leg and foot issues and need to call surgeon but have anxiety from the thought of going back there!!!

2. Joey July 2022

This place and doctors are absolute garbage and I’m terrified because my mom was just diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and we may have no choice. What they did to my uncle makes me sick to my stomach and if my mom has to go here I will have a complete nervous breakdown. The doctors are liars and deceivers it’s truly scary. I pray to God she is okay and doesn’t have to go here. I may as well say goodbye to her if so 😥

HONORABLE MENTION #1 – Dennis W July 2022

The guards in the ER are rude plus if you in there when the guy in the corner is Chained up and talking garbage and then some lady and guy walking in all happy laughing they was dressed up leather and Gothic. I was there with major eye issues and another of other old and people very sad. And within two minutes a guy came out and told her get in wheelchair I’m like 👍 😳 they know what too SAY TOO GET THAT FAST HELP.DRUGS.I WILL NEVER COME AROUND YOUR PLACE NEVER.

HONORABLE MENTION #2 – Cori Laughard July 2020

I’m so disappointed in the care, communication and miss treatment of this hospital. Some staff members keep me informed of my dads condition some don’t. There is a lot of miscommunication between staff members. They all tell me different things. No one seems to know what is suppose to happen. They are moving my dad all over the hospitals risking exposure to god only knows what. He is very sick and cant handle catching anything else. No one keeps me as informed as they promise and he has a new doctor every time I turn around.

1. Ohio Ohio July 2017

HORRIBLE! NO COMMUNICATION! Hospital is dirty. Staff take up for each other. If your loved one can’t talk, do not send them there. Chief doctor tells family he doesn’t understand what the other doctors are saying when they talk to him. NEURO ICU SUCKS! Family could be dead and you wouldn’t even know it. The bathrooms on floor and family room nasty. My mom got blisters and bed sores from staff not turning her. August 12-30 2016 was the worst days because of this stay here. I can go on and on