Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Hospital - Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Amanda K.

The worst experience I've ever had in my life at this hospital. I went there when my children were 1 and 4 (husband was deployed) and I had no family there. We were visiting from Fairbanks. I had the worst abdominal pain I'd ever experienced for a couple of days. I went to the Emergency room with my children and sat there for HOURS. At some points, we were the only ones in the waiting room and they would still take people off the street before me. After my kids started to get cranky and my pain was unbearable, I asked when I would be examined. I knew I needed to be seen as we were traveling back to Pennsylvania 3 days later. I was told by reception that they thought I just had a stomach ache!!! I'm sorry- I wouldn't drag my kids to the ER for a stomach ache. As a nurse, I knew it was likely appendicitis. After the CT scan, sure enough, I was right and required immediate surgery. The initial recovery went well but a week later, I became violently ill and couldn't even hold my one-year old. I called and spoke to the surgeon who performed my surgery and explained my symptoms. She said if I didn't feel better by Friday, (it was Tuesday), then to go to the ER in PA. I ended up going that same night and was diagnosed with a softball size abscess behind my uterus which was slowly poisoning my body. This was a direct result of her poor surgical technique. I ended up on IV antibiotics and hospitalized for over a week with a Jackson Pratt drain. I would NEVER, EVER recommend this hospital unless you had no other choice.

Kam

Review for labs and women's health. Labs lost my blood even though it has my SSN and my Dod on it wasn't't notified, had to find out at an appointment months later that we were looking forward to for answers. Seems like a HIPAA violation to me, I dunno. Had to get them redrawn and when I called to get my results, after verifying my identity with my name and dob, women's health wouldn't give me my results over the phone. Im out of town and we've been waiting on these results for MONTHS. I asked if they could just fax them to me and said no. They said I had to physically go there to pick them up. If I'm verifying my identity, why do I need to show up in person to get MY results. I then asked if the individual could cough once for positive and they hung up on me.

If you're going to verify my identity, give me my requested information. If you're not going to give it over the phone, which is convenient, fax it. Don't make me wait until I can make the drive into base to physically pick up my results. Additionally don't hang up on someone who receives care at your place of work, it doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy about going back.

For labs, if you're not going to send my labs to the right place, don't take them. I need that blood, if I didn't, my body wouldn't make it.

Do better. Thanks

Victor A.

I went to the ER yesterday around 5 a.m. with a 103 fever, throwing up, and feeling awful. I told the lady at the front desk (who was super unprofessional) how I was feeling and mentioned that I had gone to the TMC the day before with the same symptoms. They didn’t even figure out what was wrong—just gave me Tylenol and sent me on my way.

The lady at the ER straight-up told me they’d probably do the same thing and refused to check me in. It’s messed up how we, as service members, get treated like this by our own medical staff. If I could give this place zero stars, I would!

Victoria A.

Every time I’ve been here, whether at the lab, ER, or family medicine, I have had nothing but kind and caring people helping me. It makes me feel more comfortable going and I know I’m in good hands.

Ryan C.

Spent 2 hours and 3 minutes on hold waiting for referral management to pick up the phone. Waited patiently as the automated system counted me down from #10 in queue to #1. Then someone picked up the phone and immediately hung up on me. Solid work RM!

Lakia B.

If I could give 0 stars I truly would. For almost an entire year, this clinic misdiagnosed me. I kept advocating for myself indicating what I was being diagnosed with wasn't the full story of what was happening in my reproductive system, but they chalked it up to be being obese and unclean. I was constantly told to lose weight and keep the area clean and dry. I was given two different topical medications and oral antibiotics on a loop over and over again. I became pregnant they took me off of the topical treatment and did not do anything to follow up with me. I called the clinic crying and begging to be seen earlier due to this, and they wouldn't oblige. I came in for a standard checkup during the pregnancy, the nurse I was seeing was adamant about doing an ultrasound, it was not supposed to be done at the time, but she wanted it done. At that appointment I was told there was no longer a heartbeat. I begged for a D&C because it was my first miscarriage, and they told me no, the OR was booked, and made me pass an 11 week fetus at home. I never knew why I miscarried. Post miscarriage my symptoms continued, they put me back on a topical treatment with no changes. My family changed duty stations. I see women's health one time at the new base, and they tell me it is abnormal to keep testing the way I have and to have the symptoms I've had. They take the initiative to do more in depth testing, and we find the answer in one week. Upgrade your insurance and go off base. ESPECIALLY if you're fat and black. They won't listen to a word you say.

Valerie P.

Check-in desk was manned, helpful, and friendly. Appointment was on time. I've had really excellent medical care here, the only exceptions were several years ago.

Franki K.

Drive towards the back end of the JBER Hospital as listed on google. You’ll past the Fisher House and what looks like a heliopad. Just follow the signs after and you’re golden. One of our TDY airmen got bite as he went on a hike. We came to the ER and was seen and treated. Total time was about 40 minutes. Thankfully his bite was superficial and he didn’t need any shots! Just a cleaning.

DISCLAIMER:
If you’re a pet owner & your pet should be on a leash place them on a leash. Not trying to belittle anyone but come on—where is the common sense! You could/should be sued for being a negligent individual as you do not know how your pet will interact with anyone.