John Muir Health Walnut Creek Medical Center

*3 SEPARATE EXPERIENCES*(staying here/c-section/NICU)

Staying in the Antepartum(June 27-july 29) I had placenta previa, which meant that I stayed there for that period of time, until I reached 34 weeks and I would deliver my baby via c-section. The hospital is basically your home for that time. My time there, went as best as it could have gone. The nurses were all very sweet and kind(except 1) they visit you every time you need to get monitored or when they needed to make there assessment. Fairly easy things, check blood pressure, temperature. The food there isn't all bad. As a pregnant women, It wasn't too shabby. A nutritionist calls your room to ask what you would like for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Snacks are also available, upon request. The shower is small So prepare for that. If you know you'll be there for some time, bring things that will comfort you while you stay. I had my families pictures, and blankets from home. As there is not much to do, but watch TV, listen to music. You do get 30 min of outside time(recess..lol) they have a decent patio. I'd take walks out there, when the weather permitted. Nights are a little tough, they let you sleep but you will also get woken up twice(for different reasons). Overall my stay was good. The condition of the room was fine, I do think the shower could use an update. It was kinda hard to use.

C-section EXPERIENCE BEFORE/AFTER- this was my first ever major surgery. I was terrified to say the least!!! The nurses and doctors made me feel as comfortable as they possibly could for that day. I was very vocal about how nervous I was, and they took that into consideration. Asked if I wanted a specific nurse by my side, I could pick out music to listen to during the procedure, who I wanted with me during the procedure(fam member). my baby was out quick! Afterwards they took care of me which took no more than 40 min.(AFTER) Then after resting for half the day, later I was able to meet my baby and do skin to skin. For me I was in pain, but it wasn't super awful! You will be walking and getting up, it's for the healing process! If you are in any major pain, and what they are giving you just isn't enough, SPEAK UP! They are there to keep you healthy and as comfortable as possible(considering what your gonna go through,ask for help if needed). Your stomach area will be pressed down, and yes this won't feel good. But it's just brief! Take a deep breath for it and brace yourself. I was discharged after 5 days in the post partum room(idk what they actually call it).

Tips
- if the nutritionist hasn't called you, ask the nurse if they can call for you to speak to them.(trust me,otherwise you'll get small portions)

-the nurses can also place an order of food for you, if its early enough in the morning though.(in my experience, 1 of the nurses did this for me)

-ask all the questions you want! Never feel like your doing too much. Your just advocating for yourself, and you should know all that will happen prior, during, and after the c-section.

-children under 12 aren't allowed to visit. They can outside though. They have a small area where you can hang out.

-Covid vaccine cards are requested if visiting or a recent test.

NICU-the nurses are there to help and assist. But you get to do hands on with your baby. Changing diaper, taking the temperature and eventually feed your baby(breast/ bottle). When your baby is breathing on hes/her own, you'll be in a different room. Me and my husband did as much as the nurses let us help with. Every night at midnight, they get weight. Each baby is assigned a nurse, but that nurse might have between 3-4 babies to care for. Be kind and patient, after all they are caring for your child. Be as helpful to them as you can! In the end you are taking your baby home, so do the cares(what they call changing diapers, taking temperature)so you can get use to them. Depending on your babies needs, you'll have different doctors coming to visit and update on things. Like a Lactation consultant, speech therapist, the doctor ofcourse!

Visited many times for routine work, emergencies, and surgery where I was admitted for almost a week. I have always felt respected and listened to and feel confident that they provide excellent care. I feel safe here.

Dr John Haggerty is an amazing obgyn. He was my ob with my 3rd baby. He always listened and made me feel comfortable and like I was apart of the decision making. He delivered my son by c-section and gave great care to us both. Thank you. John muir is a great L&D hospital. I've only heard great things

I have seen over the last 25 years John Muir Health mature and grow to be the stated art facility that it is today having other facilities nearby Stanford, UCSF and Kaiser helped elevate their game and provide crucial services to the surrounding area in Contra Costa county. We’ve had MRI, surgery, and doctor visits, all of which went well and facility and personnel was extensively well training and polite

These doctors really make you feel like they have your best interest. Kind and appropriate treatment given. Smart both young and older physicians are available here. My family had a pleasant experience despite the unpleasant reason we were there. I felt like we could trust they were doing everything they could for the best outcome of their patients. That's not true everywhere you go so I'm thankful for this experience.

Nice medical facility. Friendly, helpful staff. It is absolutely the best hospital I have ever known (and I have known a lot of medical centers and hospitals).

Very clean and the employees are very professional and respectful to patients as well as visitors 😊

They saved my fiance's life when he got shot!! They took excellent care of him there. The nurses were all super nice and had superb bedside manner... I felt blessed that he was under such good care and I am absolutely thankful for all that they did for us!!

I honestly cannot fathom a better experience than what I received here for the birth of my son. I was treated with complete and total care. I never felt pressured to do one thing or another (in regard to medical care or decisions for myself and my baby) and the staff always made my husband feel included and cared for as well, which was important to me. There was never any confusion when a new shift was taken and never any question for any requests I had during my stay. I even considered asking to stay an additional day haha overall great experience and I’m proud to have a healthy baby.

Amazing staff at the inpatient rehabilitation center. My team of nurses and therapists were incredibly helpful and compassionate. They really treated me well and did whatever they could to make me comfortable. It was nice to have care that left me feeling valued as an individual and not just another patient. The doctors didn't play much of a role in my rehab at all unfortunately, but the therapists were wonderful. I'm very thankful to have had John Muir Health as an option with my insurance plan.

I delivered my baby here. All the staffs here are helpful supportive, and friendly!! Best experience ever.

I had the best care there when I was admitted 2 weeks ago. The nurses, nurse assistants and all the staff were kind and helpful from the time I was treated at ER and then admitted to a room to attend to my health needs. Thank you. Lori B

Again, again this year another year in re: ER care and focused on timeliness. Pre-Thanksgiving onward my father was having the extreme volatility of Post covid. Back in Sept. on the phone from S.Calif, spending many days--not only hours --day & night trying to convince, arguing, negotiating with my elderly father to allow my East Bay sibling to bring him to ER. Sore throat, severe dry cough, upset stomach, light-headedness, weakness--can be cardiac issues or the aftermath of Covid infectious disease. We family and he back in September were immeasurably grateful to ER staff. My elderly father was so healthy. We could not be more grateful to all of you at JM. The dedicated nursing staff, doctors, specialists and specialized technicians will remember him for quite a long time. Of course, a private room to allow him to relentlessly argue about "real food" and everything else--in his being in complete disbelief---Covid severely impacts the body--so that one is within a short while--acutely different and permanently different from lifetime normal.
We are grateful he was prior to Covid: extra strong and healthy. But, also, our September visit proved---It matters to have a hospital with dedicated, competent people who have professional initiative and commitment. It matters to have professionals willing to listen, willing to fully communicate to each other--at all levels and also who continuously document accurate and complete details. John Muir staff, You demonstrated to my father that true professionals who genuinely care do exist and also saved his life. We could not be more grateful to you! He is one of the kindest, sweetest, hard-working and giving human beings on the planet--who relishes life.
As individuals, keeping in touch with immediate loved ones when in good health and in bad helps one keep one's sanity once an elderly parent becomes extra volatile in their physical and mental health. Some situations one cannot find the right words to describe. But, being there and doing the right thing--no matter the challenges--- will always allow us to look back and be grateful, including grateful we gave our all. But, he also has seen a lot. His oldest daughter, one of the healthiest, fittest person is now 2-1/2 years into Long Haul--a merciless version of volatility. Back in Oct. 2019, when she returned from an academic conference, there was a long layover at NW airport due to storms. So many Asian and Canadian people were "not feeling well." It clearly appears his 60+ year old daughter got the original deadly strain from China. Then, for the next three months three reputable ERs in S. Calif kept sending her home--USA medical professionals were totally behind in identifying Covid. In her case, they were dismissive, too--even though she was the highest of cooperative and responsive person with each professional so she could receive the best medical care and outcome. Fingers are crossed and super crossed that dad's long haul experience will not fall to 3 or 4 years of Post Covid volatility. Extremely healthy people who get Covid can become the rarest of outliers with harshest of Post Covid (Long Haul). Week of Thksgiving 2022 another week of severe volatility in and out of ERs with dad. The difference from four years ago when his life-long healthiest of daughter got it: No one is sending my dad home with general instructions "it will go away". WINTER 2022-- ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE MASKING --the easiest thing to do. Masking: even common colds and coughs can be an additional severe experience for anyone who is already dealing with other medical issues.

John Muir Hospital the best ! Doctors, nurses and all personal cares for the patients. I felt in good hands. Words are not enough to express my gratitude. Malena

This hospital is amazing. The nurses here are the best. Especially Kim and Roland. They went threw everything with me. They are very knowledgeable and they genuinely care.They work so hard. I came in for a back injury and was here for a few days. The people and service are spectacular. I'm very glad I switched to John Muir, it is really amazing the response time and quality that they are capable of. Thank you guys, made a tough trip very enjoyable. Some of the best care I have ever had and i have had a number of hospital visits. Top notch in everyway, state of the art equipment and I'm sure probably the world's best nurses.

Thank you to Dr . Stephen Levinson he is so kind and professional and his awesome Physicians assistant was so kind and professional. His nurse and the man who put my sons splint and even the X-ray technician.and the front desk women . I just want to say you are all amazing and I appreciate you so much for taking care of my sons broken arm ❤💜🙏
He is resting now but John Muir Walnut Creek you are a great hospital and I will always take my family to you

I had to have heart surgery at John Muir. This hospital is awesome. The nurses and the entire staff were kind and compassionate. The hospital has the highest standards in care. Thank you for making my stay as comfortable as possible.

Amazing experience with the services we were afforded during my son's delivery. As as matter of fact, my older son was born here as well. I have nothing but praise and great recommendations for this hospital. Their quality of medical care is top notch and they have a great cafeteria. :)

Amazing This is the only time I have ever experienced this at this hospital but get this. I went straight in. I was called back immediately. They handled my problem and sent me along my merry little way. I'm dumbfounded awesome!

Great, new facilities with thoughtful patient rooms. My mother spent two months in various hospitals and rehabilitation facilities and while its never a great thing to be in the hospital, there was always a sense of relief when she was transferred here. The level of care is outstanding, I would make every effort to come here if needed.