Bothell Health Care

sipress

My review is based upon personal experience in this facility. I was there for 30 days after a fall that resulted in fractures of both legs. I was initially in casts on both legs and bedbound, and then gradually progressed to wheelchair. As a fairly short term, orthopedic rehab patient (and a retired nurse, with hospital, nursing home, home health, and outpatient physical therapy work experience), I had certain expectations (based, in part. on the Bothell Health Care website) for my rehab program. I was very disappointed. First of all, unlike hospitals, nursing home beds do not have side rails (in the nursing home environment, they are considered restraints and potentially dangerous, especially for cognitively impaired individuals). For an orthopedic patient, like myself, I needed side rails as a safety precaution - to keep me from falling off the bed, when I was turned on my side - and as a support. A special, physician-signed order is required for side rails. The doctor I saw on my first full day at Bothell Health Care, signed such a form; however, it took 14 days for small, head-of-bed side rails to be put on my bed (and during that time period I was having to hold onto either the side of my bed - which dipped down - or my bedside stand, which moved, when I turned to be put on a bedpan, etc....typically there was not enough staff to an aide to be on either side of me for these functions). Many of the days I was there, there were not enough Aide staff. One day, I used my call light so I could be assisted in using the bedpan, and after 40 minutes of no response, I ended up calling the front desk on my cell phone; even after that, it took another 12 minutes to have an Aide respond, and by then I had had an accident. I did have the expectation that the staff worked as a team, but other than the first patient conference (after nursing physical therapy, social service, etc had a chance to evaluate the patient), this was not the case. Nursing staff is hired by a different organization than the "therapy" (physical and occupational therapy) staff, etc., each rarely communicating with each other (except for nursing staff to tell the aides what to do. Other than the Activity Director's monthly calendar, that is no master computer schedule for everyone to be on the same page, related to each patient's treatment plan. It took me almost 2 weeks of persistently requesting having physical and/or occupational therapy the same time of day (so that I could plan to be dressed and get adequate pain medication in time to be able to do the therapy), for me to get that as part of my rehab program (otherwise, therapy would just knock on the door when they were available and see if you wanted therapy). I never felt included in my own care, and felt I had to expend energy I didn't really have, in fighting for a "say" in my own care. Individually, most of the staff were really caring, respectful and helpful - a lack of organization and responsiveness seemed to be more a matter of inadequate staffing and inadequate communication. On the day before I was discharged an item I kept in my room closet since the day I was admitted - that I would need as an aide when I got home - was taken out of my closet. When I told nursing staff about it, they said, "sorry," but did not seem interested investigating the situation further. It took most of the afternoon and personal investigation to find out that one of the therapists had taken it, thinking it was the facility's - I can understand gong through rooms looking for items that may not be the patient's, but to go into a patient's closet without telling them, and taking an item is very disturbing! I did get that item returned to me, along with multiple apologies, but......this is certainly a concern. At this point, it appears this facility's care focus is for long term care patient. And, it also appears that so much of what is done, is related to checking off the criteria for their governing guidelines (like Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, owners) and how the facility appears to the outside world, rather than the actual care to/for/with the patient. I was told that they are having a new orthopedic wing built in the near future, and I would hope that once that is built, that the organization and staffing needs will be re-assessed as to how to provide a better rehab program for that segment of their population. 'Til then, I would not recommend this for other short term rehab patients.

Helen Bolling

My father was sent there after his second stroke .My mother was physically unable to take care of him.while there he was suppose to recieve comfort care,however he was the most uncomfortable i have ever seen him.half the time they lost his clothes and had him in improper clothing .He was in pain and neglected most times.we never saw the doctor to access if he needed pain meds or back to hospital.He had a few falls and contusions from wandering the halls alone.relief came when we requested back to hospital ,evergreen hospice and finally he was comfortable and peacefull.never send a loved one to this place.

IreneHug

My Mom stayed her for 3 months due to a broken femur. She started in a double room then moved to a private room. The staff there are very caring and attentive. Her bed was comfortable and they kept is low as she was a fall risk. The activities director is wonderful and got my mom to attend some activities during her stay. They have bingo, trips, movies, etc. The food is ok, breakfast is one of the best meals. You can select your menu every week. They have other options to take if you do not like what is offered. She had stayed at another facility in the area prior. This one was much better for my mom's condition (dementia) and they had better ways of getting her to try PT and OT.

Family Grateful

I recommend this facility for a beloved parent or family. Clean facilty, staff that cares and works with family, conveniently located of main highway. They provide great care for my parent and are very involved with their comfort and happiness .

Judy

My friend was in Bothell Health Care, and it was great. They had all kinds of activities, arts and crafts, bingo, and parties for holidays. They had three meals plus snacks, plus OT, PT, and help with her oxygen. I would highly recommend it.

DB writer

The staff was superb, attentive, respectful and skilled. The facility is clean, and easy to maneuver. OT and PT staff were knowledgeable, and skilled.