Psychiatric Emergency Services: Mills-Peninsula Medical Center - Burlingame, California

claire

Would give ZERO stars if i could. No one is this department cares or actually treats their patients like human beings. They disregard any morality and respect towards their patients and visitors. I made an in person complaint and instead of an apology or asking for feedback, they attacked me and claimed that they "weren't rude" can't believe that's how they treat a visitor. They deny patients the right to use the restroom, they scream at their patients, use physical force, laugh at patients in front of them, their showers "don't work," patients don't get a change of clothes no matter how many days, they pretend to not hear the patients, never out of the three days my husband was there did they give him tissues when he asked so he resorted to using his blankets, they give you water when they feel like it and force you to take pills without telling you what it is. One of the nurses with black and pink hair rolled her eyes at me as I complained. They told me my husband was sleeping and told me to come back, I drove an hour to get there so I waited. Ten minutes later they attend me and I ask my husband if he was asleep and told me that he wasn't. The main nurse made him wait then asked if he "wanted to see his wife" simply because my husband wanted to go to the bathroom and he was annoyed at the fact that he asked. I thought they were supposed to be helping, not treating everyone like an animal. I am very, very disappointed.

Kris B.

My daughter was sent here directly from her high school by the SMART Police. When I finally got a call from someone 3-4hours later I had a lot of questions about her status, how she's feeling, etc. The nurse got smart with me saying "yes we know that you know she's here" NOT IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M GETTING A CALL! Well, my minor child was on hold for 5150. The next day I called again to check on my kid since no one has called about her meds or anything after the admissions department got my info to make sure they can bill the right person (which to be honest I feel is all they cared about) for the person on the other line to say "we have no patient here by that name" I said that's impossible we were there to visit her just last night. I was put on hold for a while (assuming they couldn't locate my kid) to find out my minor was transferred to another hospital WITHOUT MY CONSENT. How is this proper protocol?!?!?! who signed my daughter out to give permission to ANYONE for her to get transferred? The nurse said "yes, someone should have called you." well no one did now what? I sent an inquiry about the incident and clearly no one cares because it's been 5 days and no one has gotten back to me yet.
DO NOT SEND YOUR LOVED ONES HERE. IT WILL BE A BIG MISTAKE.

lisa R.

It's an incredibly difficult thing, having to go to a psychiatric ER. We were put to ease with a greeter that immediately approached us and had us fill out a simple 4-question paper. Within 5 minutes we were called up and able to speak with a nurse. Both professional and efficient, the staff here were kind and knowledgeable. We went back to a room within 15 minutes, and were treated with respect and dignity. Whereas rooms designed to keep people safe are inevitably bleak, the staff's warm behavior put us at ease. I wish there were more psych-specific resources in America so people could get help before emergency crisis, but until then, I recommend Mills-Peninsula for those who need immediate care.

Marc R.

The place itself is 5 stars from the quality of nursing staff (MDs, OTs, and more). They can’t hold the place above one star though given the doctors who dictate law around here like to diagnose people for the best billing outcome and/or in order to satisfy their own moral judgements against patients. I in particular was held for 9 days even though I was never at any point in time any danger to myself or others. There were things said to me by a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist who I had no choice in selection, he was just assigned to me like I was livestock. Now if I had the audio recordings to go with the video (as I would if I had been free to use my cell phone as a surveillance device), I would have enough evidence to change laws around mental healthcare. I’m going to try even without the audio to rewrite the laws to protect you and your loved ones should you ever find yourselves in a place like this. Again, amazing nursing staff.

Security is completely negligent in particular when it comes to preventing sexual assault. When other patients end up protecting victims from aggression because nobody else will, then security personnel become prison guards the likes of Stanford’ famous prison experiment and become highly aggressive themselves towards patients who are just trying to uphold society’s most basic norms inside this place.

Alexander D.

I went there to seek psychiatry admission then I didn't meet criteria for admission. I wasn't looking for admission to the ward. I want to go there just to speak to somewhere. I was feeling suicidal at the time and I needed to get stuff off my chest. But anyways yes I think this is an excellent hospital. I can't complain. I'm satisfied.

Chris G.

I travel 300 miles to see this team after they saved my life. The best care for me.

Scott P.

Do not go here, bad staff leave you hanging. Nothing to do here no programs etc. A compete nightmare - - -