When Susan Deyo, 71, of Rochester began feeling unwell just days before Christmas last year, she suspected a urinary tract infection. But as the days passed, her symptoms worsened: shakiness, disorientation, and trouble maintaining her balance. By December 27, she knew she needed emergency care.
Susan’s first stop was a hospital emergency department in a nearby town. “I was extremely sick,” she recalls. “But I sat in a wheelchair in the hallway for nearly three hours. I don’t remember much from that time — I was that out of it.”
Concerned about her condition and the long wait, Susan and her family made the decision to leave that hospital and seek care elsewhere: Portsmouth Regional Hospital’s freestanding emergency room in Dover.
“The difference was immediate,” Susan says. “From the moment I walked in, I was taken right into a room. The staff was wonderful — kind, attentive, and reassuring.”
At the Dover freestanding ER, clinicians quickly began evaluating Susan’s symptoms. Within a short time, they diagnosed her with urosepsis — a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that can develop when a urinary tract infection spreads into the bloodstream.
“They acted fast,” Susan says. “They ran the tests, explained everything clearly, and made sure I understood what was happening.”
Because of the severity of her condition, Susan needed to be admitted to the hospital. The Dover team coordinated her transfer to Portsmouth Regional Hospital through the hospital’s medical transport team, keeping her informed every step of the way.
“The communication was excellent,” she says. “Even while we were waiting for a bed to open up, they kept me updated and made sure I was comfortable. I never felt like I was in the dark.”
Looking back, Susan believes the care she received at the Dover freestanding emergency room made all the difference.
“This is real emergency care,” she emphasizes. “They have the capability to diagnose and treat serious conditions quickly. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.”
Now recovered, Susan hopes others will consider freestanding ERs when they need emergency care.
“No one should have to sit and wait for hours when they’re that sick,” she says. “There are options — and my experience showed me just how important that can be.”