Surgical and Endoscopy Center of Bergen County

The admitting nurse was unpleasant and treated patients like assembly line. Ten months later they billed me for money that Medicare says I don’t owe. Avoid this place.

Terrible experience… Everything was fine until I was brought in to the OR for procedure. At that time, the nurse became angry because I moved the pad on the table before I sat down. I simply straightened it out. She then says in front of me to Anesthesia, «I don’t understand why everyone feels the need to move that. It put on the table the way it supposed to be.» Realizing I upset her I got up and moved it back and told her maybe she should advise patients not to move it before hand if its such a big deal. She then started questioning me (after I had already been questioned several times before) why I was having colonoscopy. I explained I had been sick for several years and they were unsure what was wrong. She then told me maybe I had a virus. I replied– yes, I’m sure I’ve had viral gastroenteritis for years. At this point I tried not to make any further conversation with her. Keep in mind I’ve been sick for a long time and had one of these «attacks» prior to procedure and felt weak. I had not eaten in 4 days and felt pretty ill. Finally at 1pm we start procedure (my appt was 11:30). I woke up after the procedure in terrible pain and was nauseous. I’ve never been in pain like that before after having a colonoscopy but again, was very sick days before this exam. Anesthesia was very nice and gave me zofran and Benadryl. My nurse, (Caprice) was going to give me Demerol for pain. I told her no, that pain meds make me sick and I was already sick. She actually threw her hands up in the air and told me that they would then have to stick a tube in my rectum. I looked at her and told her to do me a favor, and stop being so nasty and not to threaten me by putting a tube in my rectum. I then told her to get my husband immediately. She threw her hands up in the air again and started yelling for another nurse. Julie and Joan both took care of me from that point on and were wonderful. They showed compassion and kindness, which is all I wanted. I didnt need a «rectal tube» just someone to help reposition me a few times and help me work through the pain. Jennifer was also very kind to me– she initially brought me in. I did leave an hour later doubled over in pain but couldnt wait to get out of there. I did make a complaint to the supervisor. I have had this procedure before at a different surgi center and never had a problem or treated so terribly. I would never go back to this center.

I was treated terribly by two of the people who worked here. My biggest problem was with my anesthesiologist. Her name was Dr. C — an asian woman with a pretty thick accent. I asked her before my endoscopy to put an anti-​emetic in the IV because I didn’t want to wake up feeling nauseated. She argued with me about it. There was absolutely no reason for her to NOT want to put it in — especially because I have a prescription for that medication! I just couldn’t take it myself that morning because I had to fast with food and water. She finally gave in, but when they sent me home with a list of medications that were administered, the anti-​emetic was NOT on the list which is ILLEGAL. I am over 18 and if asked for harmless medication am not supposed to be refused! I was mildly nauseated upon waking so I knew SOMETHING was fishy about it.
My other problem was with the nurse who woke me up. I did not get her name because I was so out of it. She made me feel singled out and told me it took me forever to wake up from the anesthesia. What was I supposed to do, apologize for something that is out of my control? I was slowly getting up but felt really dizzy from the medicine and my boyfriend had to help me. According to him, the nurse made me sign something — which I have no recollection of — and I had previously signed a paper that I would not sign documents or make legal decisions for 24 hours after the procedure. The nurse rushed me out of there and told me that since 80 year olds do this every day, I should be able to walk. Awful service and I REALLY wish I had gotten her name to report her.
My advice? Ask your GI doctor to send you somewhere else to get an endoscopy done. My previous one was done at CSS in Hawthorne where I was treated wonderfully.

I recently had to drop of a friend for an endoscopy. I guess this is always a depressing experience. But from the moment we walked in the hospital staff warmly welcomed us and made the whole check in, signing of waivers and preparations procedure a piece of cake.
Everything went through smoothly and without complications. The nurses were very friendly and helpful.