Down East Community Hospital

Stacey Burgess

This will shock most of downeast Washington County I'm sure...I owe dech a bill...I have tried to make arrangements with BRANDIS TOWNSEND she's the FINANCIAL COUNSELOR GOD or so it seems..she has refused my 3 payment plans THAT I CAN AFFORD...as we all know dech's guidelines hasn't changed in 20 years..so this is the 2nd appt which is a must have appt and usually the day before..will have their office call and tell me sorry we can't see you because BRANDIS TOWNSEND says you owe a bill..and that is that..I have 2 torn rotar cuffs and need to be seen and do have insurance that will cover 90% and again have offered a payment plan that I CAN AFFORD..and still SHE HAS THE POWER TO CANCEL DRS appts..

Zoey Rose

I feel like my experience here was really unprofessional. Machias healthcare has probably been the worst experience of my life to be completely honest and I wish I had just went to bangor. First off, I went to the hospital twice because I was in pain due to GERD. The first time they were okay, but rushed everything and just sent me home. Which was NOT appreciated. When you have patients who have anxiety and have questions, you should not be rushing them. One of the nurses legit told me “we are always concerned for your gallbladder”… why didnt you check it then? I understand healthcare is busy but there was a nurse who would come in and rush and the doctor was way more caring but too busy to be able to help. He wanted to do an IV & see the x-ray scan for himself, but the nurse pretty much rushed me out. The second time I went I was in a lot of pain due to throat burning from the acid, I had an ear infection which they could not even diagnose, and all they did was test me for strep, and said it was negative but they said there was still something there. But failed to tell me because the pharmacy was closed. Its a hospital. They should be able to do more than have someone come in for a negative strep test and send them home. They put me on so many meds that didnt work that I have literally become anti-biotic resistant. If you can, id highly recommend skipping this hospital. Unprofessional. Thought id add that even if they didnt know what was wrong (they obviously didnt because im still sick after seven weeks basically) that doesnt mean they need to rush people. More tests need to be done. A waste of money.

Molly Carter

I took my husband to the emergency room in the early hours of the morning. He received excellent care from the night nurse, Kirsti, and Dr. Whu (sp?). Everyone was very kind and professional until shift change when new graduate nurse Bob came on. He was a bit uncertain of himself, which was perfectly understandable as he was a new nurse. What shocked me was the condition of his fingernails, they were literally black with dirt! I was so shocked, I didn't say anything at first. I asked him if he was planning on taking out my husband's IVs, which he said he was not, as my husband was going via ambulance to Bangor hospital. I tried to find Bob's supervisor before we left for Bangor to ask her to addeess this concern, but there was no one around to speak to. I hate to complain as we got such great care, but in these days of COVID 19, I can't believe a nurse would be allowed to come on to a shift with dirty fingernails. Or that the nurse himself would even think this was OK. Hopefully someone will take note of this review and correct the problem.

J. Kathy Dennison

My mother is somewhat of a frequent flyer at DECH. I have to admit that, in the past, she has experienced less than exceptional care there. However, in the last couple of years she has been care for like family. The staff is attentive, the ER doctors are excellent and the new facility is great. Unfortunately her care has required a transfer to EMMC more times than we would like. The care there does not compare to DECH. If I ever get as sick as my mother has been, I'll skip Bangor and go straight to Boston.