Salem VA Clinic

Mar 31st, 2024

So far I like the medical staff here, but why does the security guard look like a homeless person? And can the guy who draws blood have some empathy?!?
Feb 24th, 2024

Too bad the good doctors get transferred almost immediately. They kept examining my eyes, kept promising cataract surgery, but never in 5 years actually did it. Hacks and quacks. I got my eye surgery when I moved to Kansas almost immediately. Proving that it's an Oregon problem. The VA in Oregon hates the veterans it's supposed to serve.
Oct 28th, 2023

My sister has COPD/emphysema and is at risk for getting RSV. On October 30 her virtual doc wrote an order for the vaccine. Here it is January 3 and we've still not been able to get her the vaccine. They told her they didn't have the vaccine at the VA so she should go to a pharmacy, but pharmacies wouldn't take VA payment and wanted to charge $300. She was told this week by the VA that now she needs the order re-upped because it's so old, so we went to the VA today and got the runaround once again. How many vets have pulmonary issues and have been unable to get the RSV vaccine?? Hours after we were down there getting the runaround ("they'll call you within 72 hours and tell you whether you can get the shot here or downtown") and we're home again (and my sister doesn't have a car) they call and say she can come down and get it! Does the right hand know what the left is doing? This is appalling!
Jan 1st, 2024

I avoid going to the ER or urgent care so I don't rack up unnecessary charges for the VA. I appreciate the free care so much but try not to take advantage of it and be mindful. So I did a walk in visit early morning on Tuesday this week because I was not doing well at all and this place should know my background info. My doctor wasn't there because she quit, which I understand. I was having really bad chest pains and couldn't breath, on top of that my psoas muscle is torn or something is going on and I could barely walk. The chest pains and shortness of breath is believed to be from my allergy to my new injectable medication i got at the Portland VA. The nurse made me an appointment for Tuesday with a temporary doctor. I asked to see any other doctor on duty that day but she said it would be better for me to see the temp doctor next week. So basically I was to wait 7 days to figure out how to breath and stay in horrific pain. I had to take the whole week off of work and I never do. 1st the clinic is not set up for anything. They are not able to help you if you are in pain, can't breath and have chest pains. I realize that not every clinic will be set up for cardiac issues however at least have some strong Anti-inflammatory injection like toradol available. I don't even think they have ibuprofen. 2nd how do you dismiss a patient with chest pains and shortness of breath to wait until the week after?! I left and went to SwiftCare LLC I west salem, they are not set up to take anything but colds. They send me to Salem Health urgent care, I hobbled over there. Had severe spasms in the parking lot and awful chest pains. They had to wheelchair me in. Well come to find out this urgent care only goes by appointments. I have never went to urgent care that needed appointments, post covid set up is awful. Well they wheelchair me back to my car. At this point I'm barely breathing and the pain is sooo awful. I have very high pain tolerance. I was blown away how they dismiss patients in this condition. I feel so awful for the elderly and cardiac patients. I get to the ER they do everything right away and help me so much. All they did was give me Anti-inflammatory shot so I can breath better and be able to walk, gave me a prescription for pain meds and did xrays. Now 2 days later I'm still on heavy meds and that is barely touching it. But I am so grateful for their help. That day was the worst day of my life. I was having such bad spasms and pain. I'm under care of a rheumatologist, dermatologist, chiropractor, naturopathic doctor and primary care. Primary care is by far the worst experience of them all. My favorite doctor was up in Gresham at the Fairview CBOC but she left as well. Salem CBOC is 4 minutes from my work so I love that. But I am going to look at other options and clinics. I would rather drive farther to get competent care than dealing with clinical staff they have now. Last time I saw my primary care, she was a mess, she ended up being helpful but was visibly clustered and unhappy. She ran in the room and was saying how she doesn't get enough time per patient for appointments and she can only help me with 2 things. I reminded her that I haven't seen her in a long time due to her being on leave and really needed her help, due to conditions I've been suffering from. I even wrote a list of things in chronological order to help her because I know for a fact she didn't look at my chart prior to running in. I wish we didn't have to come here and just be able to get referrals online. Anyways if you are in pain or need anything done asap this is not the place to go. Unfortunately now VA will have to pay for my ER visit when my issues should of been solved at the CBOC. Pros of the clinic: Lab and lab workers are awesome Front office always nice Walk in option however very limited help Big waiting room so you don't have to sit close to coughing people Clean place Cons: High doctor turnover Nurses are Incompetent, dismissive, hands in their pockets kind of gals. Even the ER nurses were amazing and much more helpful.
Nov 18th, 2023