Cottage Outpatient Center of San Luis Obispo

I went on my sister’s girls trip in Solvang, and the last night I began aspirating while trying to sleep. My sister, a UCLA registered nurse, along with 2 of her coworkers, who are also registered nurses at UCLA, witnessed what was happening. My sister assisted in calling the VA 24-hour nurse hotline to confirm what they had seen and to determine the best course of action, since I am a veteran and far from home. Based on their guidance, they drove me from Solvang to the hospital in Santa Barbara, expecting quality care for me as the nurse’s sister. When I arrived, I explained to the nurse that I had been on a GLP-1 patch for over a week, hadn’t had a bowel movement in five days, and had vomited that night. I was aspirating repeatedly when trying to sleep. The nurse asked, with what appeared to be a patronizing tone, if I was a nurse and if I knew what aspiration meant. She seemed surprised when I explained I did, noting that I have a history of GERD for over seven years. While she mentioned that GLP-1 slows digestion, which I acknowledged, I felt that my experience and symptoms weren’t fully taken seriously. The doctor evaluated me and discussed the possibility of sleep apnea, asking if I snored. I clarified that my current issue was separate from that and also mentioned that I was flying later that day. He examined my abdomen and offered treatment either immediately or at home. I requested treatment at that time, following the VA nurse’s advice recommending urgent intervention. After I asked for an X-ray, the obstruction in my bowel was identified, and I received an enema and laxative. I appreciate that the team followed through efficiently and addressed the obstruction, which was causing severe discomfort, especially compounded by my GERD. However, I felt that overall communication and professionalism could have been better. I had to volunteer much of my medical history, and my experience with aspiration seemed questioned or minimized. At times, the staff appeared skeptical of my knowledge, even when I was simply describing my own symptoms. My sister, a UCLA nurse, was surprised by this approach, considering the high standard of care and patient-centered culture she is accustomed to in her own hospital. Overall, the treatment eventually addressed my medical issue, but I hope the staff could improve in listening to patients, considering their medical history, and providing care in a more professional and empathetic manner.

Thank you for saving my dads life ❤️

Quick, no waiting, saw doctor right away. Everything was taken care of and we could leave after 90 minutes. Now nephew has antibiotics after the stingray "bite".