RRH Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP)

“are YOU having a mental crisis and want help? well Clifton Springs CPEP ER is not the place to seek care / help! i know when seeking a review you probably dont want to hear it from the mentally ill person that went to the hospital; i went there voluntarily thinking i was going to get HELP. multiple times, rooms unclean(food crumbs on the floor, unswept, legit wrappers PRE ON THE FLOOR AS IM BEING FRESHLY TAKEN INTO THIS ROOM) what shows that you’re going to be taken care like a disgusting room? oh and no pillows! you get blankets, two blankets to sleep on a.. huddled couch.. i was shoved a BPD diagnosis without seeing a doctor only a social worker twice within 12 hours, i didnt get my morning medication that an actual doctor gave me(thyroid, binge eating medication, high blood pressure medication- skipped because i wasnt given to them by staff because no one SAW ME. I DIDNT GET TALKED TO FOR 12 HOURS WHEN THERE WAS ONLY TWO OF US THAT ER, ‘theres a lot of patients the doctor needs to see’. if you need actual help, dont go here.”

“Despite a small portion of the staff, I had a terrible experience. As a first time admission, nothing was predictable. I was hardly told anything prior to its occurrence. I was not told I had to fully undress in front of staff. I was not told I had to show staff SH marks in front of those accompanying me. I had no idea what the room would look like, what the food for someone with an allergy would look like, etc. Post clothes change, I was sent to my room. Nothing but a stiff couch and a glass-protected camera in the corner. No clock. I had to ask the staff for the time as they came (which was very infrequent). I spent nearly five hours sitting alone in the room. Eventually, a kind staff person asked if I wanted water. Despite not wanting it in the slightest, I accepted, hoping it would bring a new means of entertainment. They gave me a plastic cup and a straw. Surprisingly, this opened several new opportunities. I found myself playing frisbee with the lid, folding the straw in an origami like fashion, fidgeting with the ice, and recording how high I could jump by touching my water coated hand to the wall. So, even if you don’t want it, always accept the water. Anyways, five hours in two ladies came and began interviewing me. One of which was a student, shadowing the other to learn. I had no say in her staying or leaving. The whole interaction was uncomfortable. They had zero tone, showed no emotion and asked their questions in a very repetitive manner. Following some of my responses, they appeared confused. Instead of showing kindness and attempting to understand, they responded in short tempered, empathy-less ways. It was frustrating. About seven hours post-admission, I finally got to see my mom. She was escorted in by a kind staff member, who informed me I would be sent to a hospital, but I had to spend the night in Clifton. She was very kind. As night fell upon me, I tried to get some sleep. I figured it would be the easiest way to pass the rest of my time there. Unfortunately, a new, seemingly very troubled, patient was admitted. He was very loud and staff did nothing. He left his room several times throughout the night and resorted to punching the walls. Staff did nothing. He started shadow boxing outside of my room. Again, staff did nothing. Police officers were called in as the patient got more aggressive. Eventually, he approached my door, lifting his gown and mimicking him entering my room. As the guard stood 15 feet from the patient, he said almost word for word, “Not that one. She’s too young.” To say I was shocked was a HEAVY understatement. What would the officer have said if I wasn’t 15? Why did age even matter in this situation? Moral of the story, terrible and seemingly untrained staff. Terrible and traumatizing experience.”

“This Operation is in the Dark Ages. Fine Tuned to hold you hostage with NO OVERSIGHT --- Psychiatrist inept but so relaxed as large amounts of debilitateing anti psychotic are administered with disastrous side effects such as Paralysis. Was in a wheelchair due first several days...lost all mobility. Had to be helped by nurses aides to make it to bathroom by painful shuffling. No reaction by staff or prescribing MD that I became so completely impaired. Began moving little steps like a 100 year old --- antipsychotic dosage never adjusted. They keep you 7 days to collect Insurance $$$ and no one knows this till the 6th day. No daily therapy and no MD available till end of stay. Then they push the drug that laimed you thinking they are smart. I was ripped off all current prescriptions because the MD couldn't interpret my Pharmacy record. He had no clue of my diagnosis(*s)and never considered I might have a withdrawal experience. So the mentally disturbed are not evaluated and therefore not safe for the duration. There were more Rochester Regional Social Workers on premises than patients An expensive, worthless operation. Pets are treated better than we were.”

“I had a very good experience here, aside from one major exception. The Good: Staff is SO friendly. It's not overcrowded like at Strong Hospital, so they give you a lot of attention and make sure you're comfortable. They don't put you through some of the humiliating processes that other hospitals do. The man working registration–I forgot his name, but he's an older guy that looks a little like Robert De Niro–was incredible! Funny as all hell, made you feel comfortable and cracked a lot of jokes. He should get a raise because he's the friendliest hospital representative I've ever encountered. The CPEP staff were nice, and I eventually spoke with the Psychiatrist, and he said they didn't have any beds, but I didn't really need to be in inpatient, so I could try to find another hospital, or go home and try working on an outpatient basis somewhere else. The Bad: As I was getting ready to leave, I found out from one of the CPEP workers that the Psychiatrist was looking into free beds at another hospital. I told them not to worry about it, and I'd just like to go. The woman informed me I couldn't, and I was being involuntarily committed. We had an exchange trying to figure out why this was when the conversation with the psychiatrist didn't mention anything along those lines, and I didn't meet criteria for involuntary commitment. She rambled on about what the doctor has assumed from what I had been saying, and eventually told me it was because I answered a question about sometimes neglecting to take care of myself, such as showering, brushing my teeth, or cleaning up. The psychiatrist had felt that was enough to legally say I was a danger to myself. We argued for awhile, then the women went to check with the psychiatrist when I threatened to bring the cops because this was a violation of the mental health laws in this state. She came back and said I could leave, so I grabbed by stuff and left. Staff is great. The psychiatrist was abysmal. His name is Dr. Douglas Landy. He is in charge of their CPEP and Inpatient Program. HE is the only reason I won't give the program 5 stars. Avoid him at all costs.”