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Sanna

I went to the ER at Portneuf shortly after New Year’s after enduring a few days of severe gallbladder pain. I was there for 7 hours. They performed a CT scan after 2 hours and an ultrasound after 5 hours. In between the CT scan and ultrasound, a lady came in with a computer and credit card machine to say my payment for the day was going to be $1400 and if I didn’t pay then I wouldn’t get a $200 discount. Because that’s a great time to ask for payment right? Someone there alone who came in with extreme pain…SMH. The doctor asked me the same questions over and over again about my symptoms and after six hours said they “Couldn’t really see anything on the CT scan and ultrasound”. They discharged me with instructions to call and schedule a HIDA scan. The earliest appointment available was 2½ weeks away. When I explained I hadn’t eaten or slept in days due to the pain, there was no urgency or concern. She said there was nothing they could do to get me in earlier for the scan. 3 days later, my condition worsened dramatically. I was alone, in level-10 pain, vomiting, and experiencing chest pain, so I called an ambulance. After checking my heart and temperature, I was told everything “seemed fine” and that there was nothing they could do. They said they could “take me to Portneuf ER if i wanted but all they’re going to do is give me more pain medication”. They told me to just eat some saltines and get lots of rest. A few hours later I called a friend to ask for help because I was in severe pain and scared. i didn’t know what to do or where else to go since i am new to Pocatello. She promptly came to pick me up and drove me to Bingham in Blackfoot. Within 20 minutes of arriving, they performed an ultrasound and immediately identified a severely infected and enlarged gallbladder. I was admitted and scheduled for emergency surgery the next morning. What is typically a 45-minute surgery turned into a 3 hour operation because my gallbladder was so enlarged and infected. The surgeon had to bag it before removing it from me in case it ruptured. He later told us that if I had waited another day, I likely would not be here. Pathology showed my gallbladder was three times its normal size, with a lodged gallstone and blood clotting, which explained my level 10 pain. The x-ray taken in the ER showed the enlarged gallbladder pressing on other organs, including my right lung — explaining the chest pain I had been experiencing when I called the ambulance. My experience at Portneuf left me feeling unheard and inadequately cared for during a life-threatening situation. No one at Portneuf or the ambulance services took me seriously. However, I technically need to extend a thank you to Portneuf and the ambulance service… as it turned out your disregard, unprofessionalism and incompetence saved my life! Trying to endure the pain to wait for the HIDA scan left me in a worse situation where I needed to call an ambulance…and if the ambulance didn’t tell me i was “fine and there’s nothing they could do”….I would’ve never called my friend for help, who took me to Bingham for proper and professional medical care. When I called my friend for help, she promptly came to pick me up and drove me to Blackfoot during a snow storm to take me to the ER at Bingham. My good friend and Bingham truly did save my life! And I will always be grateful for my friend and the amazing care I received at Bingham! All the nurses at Bingham along with my surgeon were truly phenomenal. They were professional, caring, demonstrated true concern for my wellbeing and ensured I received the best care possible.

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Kylie Dubbe

I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with Portneuf Medical Center’s billing practices. For years, I have consistently paid hundreds of dollars every single month toward my medical bills. Despite making regular payments and doing everything I could to stay on top of my balance, I was still sent to collections. This is not the first time this has happened, which makes the situation even more upsetting. What is especially concerning is that Portneuf did not contact me at all before sending my account to collections. There was no warning call, no notice, and no opportunity given to resolve the issue. To make matters worse, this specific bill was nowhere to be found in my billing summaries. It was not clearly reflected in my statements, yet I was still sent to collections over it. I began paying thousands of dollars toward treatment for a chronic illness when I was 18 years old and trying to put myself through college. Over the past several years, I have gone into significant medical debt trying to responsibly manage these expenses. I do not even have a savings account because so much of my income has gone toward medical bills. I have sacrificed financial stability and my mental/physical health working 2+ jobs just to stay current on payments. I also sought out financial assistance SO MANY TIMES and was told there were no options available to me. After spending thousands of dollars over the years, I recently learned that financial assistance programs do in fact exist. Finding this out after the fact feels misleading, sickening, and deeply unfair. I had to seek financial assistance from MY WORKPLACE 2 TIMES to pay for IV medication- it could have been FREE. I was also never told that paying cash at the outpatient lab was cheaper than billing my insurance, THOUSANDS cheaper. 7 years of consistent blood draw every 2-3 weeks. 35+ BLOOD DRAWS JUST THIS YEAR AND IM JUST NOW FINDING OUT IM BEING OVERCHARGED WHEN IVE ASKED! It’s honestly devastating! Patients who are actively making payments and communicating in good faith should not be sent to collections without any attempt at communication, especially when the bill in question is not clearly documented in their summaries. Medical care and chronic illness is already stressful enough without the added burden of financial strain and lack of transparency. I sincerely hope Portneuf reevaluates how they inform patients about financial assistance and how they handle accounts for individuals who are clearly making consistent efforts to pay.

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Toni Hamilton

I have been treated with respect and kindness from the moment I walked through the ER doors. I've been admitted since to upstairs all the Doctors Nurses CNAs even the Housekeeping and yes the nutritionist Dusten was so Charismatic and full of life. Everybody that works here gives the full impression they Love their job and they care about their Patients. Portneuf Hospital and Staff I Appreciate You treating Me like an actual person and listening to what I said about my symptoms, this whole place is a Wonderful Place to be and the Staff makes it so much better. I would definitely return if need be, just hope I don't have to, if your scared of hospitals this would be a good one for you. So respectful and caring and a very Welcoming environment they talk you though what's happening and why also. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Because it only gives me 5 for an option definitely deserves ten stars Thank You So much Portneuf Staff You're Amazing😁 Thank You 💚 please don't ever let the difficult mean pain in the butt people change You, that's on them.

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Monica Contreras

I just had a baby on 10/30/2025 everyone was exceptional! Especially my nurse in labor and delivery Kimarie and my nurses who took care of me after birth! Michelle and Elena. The night nurses were exceptional as well! Checked on us constantly, answered our questions and concerns. Michelle and Elena who I spent the most time with were simply amazing, you can tell they love what they do and they do it so well. My experience with Portneuf was nothing but amazing and it’s because of the amazing staff from the on call Dr. who delivered my baby to everyone involved in taking care of me! I felt like a priority every single time, even though they were taking care of many patients that day. I NEVER write a review but I felt that the staff at Portneuf deserves this acknowledgment especially the labor and delivery personal! Top of the line staff! Michelle and Elena thank you so much for your care! I know you didn’t do it because it’s your job you do it because you cared and it showed every time. I never felt like i asked a stupid question because every question I asked you answered with care and was very informative! The world really needs more nurses like both of you! Much love Lila and Contreras Family!

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Wendy Hawkins

My Mom was recently seen at the Surgery Unit due to a fall and broken ankle. The Doctors, Nursing & CNA staff were amazing and very patient. She was there about three days and she was well taken care of. We had just moved to Idaho and I am super happy to find a great hospital in the area.