VITAS Healthcare - Fernandina Beach

Would give zero stars but not an option. My brother is under care and I requested the booklet “Gone From My Sight” to help my sister in law know the signs and symptoms of decline/impending death on June 16th and she still hasn’t received the booklet. Over a month ago, Cierra, the nurse, wouldn’t go outside to retrieve it from her car because it was raining and “she didn’t want to get wet from the rain because I will be sick all week”. Curious how she was going to get to her car when she left without getting wet? Irish, the nurse, informed me that it is a violation of HIPPA for a family member to attend IDG, even though I am listed on his care plan, to attempt to discourage me from attending IDG via Zoom meeting. This is a patients right under Medicare guidelines for family that wishes to attend IDG care plan to be allowed. Carol, team manager, was going to “send out a doctor, get the booklet delivered immediately” and would “stand behind all of her nurses” essentially switched the RN, per our request, and sent out Cierra, who informed me of all of the jobs she has held as a nurse. Just because you take a title doesn’t mean you are any good at that position. No physician came, just a NP. Cierra doesn’t even lay hands on the patient nor assist the family in moving the patient. Just throws her hands up in the air and has family move them. Dashay, CNA, is amazing. She has attempted to educate my sister in law on signs of decline. He rated pain at 6/10, and was low on pain medicine so a request was made for an increase in dosage and a refill on Monday. On Friday, spouse had not received routine pain medications as it was “entered wrong” per Cierra. Friday evening , on call nurse had to come out because he had not voided in 12 hours. Cierra had earlier in the day told my sister in law to call in the morning if he “didn’t void”. More than 24 hours. Completely unacceptable. The on call nurse was phenomenal. Emailed Cierra while in the home to bring the pamphlet which, as yet, we still have not received. There was a broken wheel chair in the home since November and Irish was getting it picked up every week. Requested morphine be ordered after episode of shortness of breath and Cierra refused to discuss need at IDG with physician . My brother was a patient at Baptist Rehab prior to hospice admission and his wife requested a different hospice but “somehow” ended up with Vitas. This experience has been anything but what hospice is supposed to be, compassionate, quality end of life care. Advice for Carol, be careful what you stand behind. Ask me how I know what hospice care is supposed to be? I have walked this walk with many dying patients and their families for over 15 years. I would be ashamed to say that I worked for this company. Horrendous example and experience of end of life care. Oh by the way, I had the pamphlet mailed to his spouse because apparently they do not provide. Barb McGoye, RN, CHPN

The worst experience ever. They let my momma suffer her last day. It took and hr and had to try to get someone on the phone. Had to call the 800 number. Another 20 mins to get someone to call back. Then took about 2 1/2 hours to get the meds. They honestly don’t care. I know they offer grief counseling but I can’t seem to get any. And I need it desperately I have called 3 times asking and they want to keep repeating my moms name. I said it 4 times and she asked again. What a horrible company to use. I would not recommend this company. Please don’t put your loved one through this. This company DONT CARE!! It’s a fact I have seen it. Now from the calls I have received. I definitely will seek help somewhere else. I can tell these people are NOT QUALIFIED to help anyone. And I take my experience from the day my momma died and we could not get them to help!!

Peter Nasif and the team of Vitas Hospice provide The Lakeside of Amelia residents and their families with access to compassionate, caring, expert and professional hospice and grief support at the end of life. Their highly qualified team of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, licensed therapists, and chaplains are a wonderful resource to individuals and families. They educate people about their options long before, during and after health issues arise, offering tools and guidance that allow for individualized healthcare at every stage so that patients and loved ones can plan for and personally direct the palliative journey. Vitas creates an environment of open communication, helping one plan for and navigate serious or advanced illnesses. Vitas’ team supports patient’s decisions to live well with choice throughout the journey.