Stanford Hospital at 500 Pasteur Drive - Palo Alto, California

Saida A.

I want to take a moment to recognize Erick Coaguilla, the ICU nurse who cared for me after my open heart surgery. From the moment I arrived, Erick showed an extraordinary level of respect, patience, and compassion. He treated me not just as a patient, but as a person with dignity, kindness, and genuine concern for my well-being.

One small gesture that meant a lot to me was how he called me “Mama.” That simple word brought me comfort and made me feel cared for in a personal, heartfelt way. I truly appreciated that.
His professionalism was evident in everything he did, but what truly stood out was the calm and comforting presence he brought into the room each day. Recovering from major surgery is never easy, but Erick’s support made all the difference.
I’ll never forget the care he gave me during such a critical time. Thank you, Erick, your work truly matters.

Caleb O. D. (.

Mixed experiences here, but I *primarily* blame the Stanford Sheriffs for this (see my recent review about that).

My first experience here was terrible; primarily likely caused by a misunderstanding and miscommunication from an ex [ not ex; using ex as short form here for "relationship anarchy" < love you, lolo > that *did not inform* the Stanford Sheriffs that we had dated for awhile, and that she literally has a copy of my house keys. Because of that, I got literally kidnapped by EMTs, and no one wanted to hear about why I was on campus.

Shame on them.

Yesterday, however, when I went to go retrieve my belongings from the Stanford Medical Center / Hospital / Emergency room, the staff there were *very helpful*, and I had a wonderful time - that is, until the Stanford Sheriffs showed up.

(I've got a stalker; he's likely the person that called into the Sheriffs).

Regardless, the Stanford Medical Center is BEAUTIFUL. See attached pictures (of course, I asked if I could take pictures and was told it was just fine).

Shreya F.

Thank you for taking care of my sickness. Sorry about my mistake of not knowing that I need to wait for the nurse to be here to help me get on my bed and crying one day while feeling very hot. The medical staff are very kind. The sunset and the view was very beautiful from the room during daylight saving time.

Lilly S.

Be careful of the cafeteria. The staff at checkout will add foods you obviously don’t have to your bill and ask if you want the receipt. When I went to ask for a refund on food I never had, she told me to pick something out, and when I asked her to just refund me, she said it’s coming from her own pocket. Thankfully a manager heard and refunded me the food I never even had but it’s so gross. CHECH YOUR RECEIPT BEFORE YOU LEAVE

Michael N.

I was in a "near fatal" auto accident 24 years ago. I sustained a brain injury, and I regressed over the past 24 years to the point of being bedridden and unable to consistently comprehend sound and vocalize (with severe tinnitus). I thought my life was over. Then I had a brain hemorrhage and during surgery to relieve pressure, the neurosurgeon discovered I'd been losing cranial fluid (which led to brain lag). So, I was transferred to Stanford Hospital. From the moment I arrived the nurses and doctors treated me with excellent care. Keep in mind, I can barely move. The surgeries were performed by Dr. Dodd and his staff. Dr. Dodd and his staff were excellent. Easy to talk to and understand. Dr. Dodd refused to give up. After a few procedures, I was cured. I went through a month of physical therapy, but now I walk without a cane or walker. I'm even back in the gym! I have a new lease on life, thanks to Dr. Dodd and his staff as well as the nurses. Several doctors missed this diagnosis over the past 24 years. But Dr. Dodd cured it. THANKS!

Ryan B.

I would like to say the best hospital I’ve been too and especially for a person who had myleofibrosis. The doctors, staff and facilities have helped prolong my Mom’s life. Without the help of Dr. G, my Mom would have missed out on so many years. Thank you Dr. G

bambi A.

I had major lumbar surgery at Stanford in May of 2024.
I have to say, thru the whole process I can only give the facility, my team(s)of doctors; my top surgeon(s), my anesthesiologist, every single one of my nurses, all of the nurse's aids and let's not forget the food ( mmmmmm the food) a 5 out of 5 rating.
I thank Dr Mok and his team for the careful way my situation was handled. I was well cared for post surgery by the pain team and the surgical team.
The nurse's were so sweet and caring that I felt more like a guest instead of a patient.
My needs were all met with the utmost care and knowledge.
The physical therapy team was also wonderful.
They got me up and walking and I mean up straight. I was bent forward previous to surgery.
Yes the surgery was a success, but without such good care from the nursing staff, it would have been just another surgery. For me it was my 7th lumbar and cervical surgery.
I also commend the food with the many choices on the menu and the freedom to eat when we can. As patients we aren't always able to eat 3 meals at set times. It is so smart to allow patients to eat what they can and when they can. With the kitchen cooking and serving from 6am to 2am this is possible. The food is NOT typical hospital food. It is very delicious and healthy. I could not believe the choices on the menu. Very good food. And very healthy. I couldn't thank the kitchen staff enough when I ordered and when it was delivered.
My husband was allowed to stay in the room with me which was a big help. Just knowing he was there kept me at ease.
I still thank you all.

Suzie A.

Extremely Disappointing Experience at Stanford Hospital

My recent experience at Stanford Hospital on 1/10/2025 was extremely frustrating and disappointing, particularly in the ER and post-surgery unit. While the medical care itself may have been satisfactory, the behavior of some staff members was completely unprofessional and unacceptable.

Guest Service in the ER:
When I arrived at 3:30 AM via ambulance with my father, I was directed to speak with a guest service representative in the ER. I was on the phone at the time, which made it difficult to hear her, but I was trying my best to focus on asking the necessary registration questions. Instead of offering helpful or clear answers, she was whispering things that I couldn’t understand and seemed irritated by my questions. Her behavior was dismissive and unprofessional. also her tag name was not clear to see her name.

I then sat in the ER waiting area for more than 30 minutes, waiting for someone to call me to go see my father. After another hour of waiting without any updates, I approached the guest service desk to inquire about how much longer it would take. To my shock, the guest service representative, telling me that I should have come to her earlier to ask for permission to see my dad. She treated me like I had done something wrong by simply waiting for someone to call me.

When I explained that I was talking to a nurse earlier and waiting for my turn, she was incredibly rude, dismissive, and condescending. She gave me no sense of empathy or professionalism and made me feel as though I was bothering her. After I gave her my father’s last name, she finally allowed me to go to his room.

This person was clearly not suited for a guest services role, especially in a hospital setting. Stanford Hospital should retrain their staff on how to handle patients' families with the care, respect, and courtesy they deserve, especially in such a stressful and emotional environment.

Nurse Behavior in the Post-Surgery Unit:
The issues didn’t end with guest services. In the post-surgery unit, the behavior of several nurses was also concerning. One nurse, who was not even assigned to my father’s care, repeatedly came into the room and closed my father’s curtain and door without asking us. Given my father’s condition (non-verbal, unconscious, with a tracheotomy), the door needed to stay open so that nurse could hear him if he needed assistance. We also needed airflow in the room as it was poorly ventilated.

I understand that staff may need privacy to carry out their duties, but nurses should always ask family members whether they are comfortable with the door or curtain being closed—especially in critical situations where the patient’s safety and family’s ability to monitor him are a priority. After having to repeatedly open the door, I became frustrated by the lack of consideration for both patient and family needs.

Conclusion:
Overall, my experience at Stanford Hospital was deeply disappointing. The behavior of the guest service representative in the ER and several nurses in the post-surgery unit was unprofessional, dismissive, and inconsiderate. As a hospital that prides itself on being one of the best, it is unacceptable that staff treat families this way. I sincerely hope that Stanford Hospital takes this feedback seriously and re-trains staff to improve communication, empathy, and respect for both patients and their families.