Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center - Harbor City, California

Linda Mathews

This hospital should be a model for all hospitals to follow, that’s how good my care was. From the time I arrived until my checkout everyone was super nice, caring and helpful. The nurses, Drs, and all the techs and staff were so nice and pleasant. The hospital was so clean and I was actually able to sleep at night it was that quiet. The food was very good too. I have nothing but positive things to say about my pleasant stay here.

angie san.

I had a decent experience with Kaiser. I had one issue with one nurse, but it wasn’t a problem since I was able to request a different nurse. Food was decent. The room was extremely clean and everyone other than one Nurse were extremely kind.

Tawny Lopilato

Dear Kaiser Southbay emergency medical center,

I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction and concern regarding the care I received during my visit to your emergency room on December 18, 2024. I believe it’s essential to bring this matter to your attention to ensure that no other patient experiences what I endured.

My family has been battling a stomach bug for almost two weeks, affecting my three children (two of whom became ill twice) and myself. In the early morning hours of December 18th, my symptoms began: diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, cold sweats, and hot flashes. After over 14 hours of vomiting and being unable to keep anything down, my symptoms escalated to numbness in my hands and legs, to the point where I could not walk. My husband called urgent care, and the advice nurse recommended we go to the emergency room immediately.

Upon arrival around 5 PM, I was in extreme distress, vomiting into a trash can, moaning in pain, and barely able to function. Despite clearly displaying symptoms of an emergency, I was made to wait in line for approximately 10 minutes and told we’ll be right with you, with over 50 people ahead of me in the lobby. My condition deteriorated further, and I collapsed on the floor due to unbearable pain and exhaustion.

When I was finally brought back to a room, the nurse assigned to me displayed a shocking lack of compassion and professionalism. Some specific issues include:
1. Lack of Urgency: The nurse took her time pushing me to my room, engaging in casual conversation with coworkers, despite my obvious distress. When I expressed that I felt like I was going to throw up, her response was, “Then throw up,” spoken in a dismissive and rude tone.
2. Disrespectful Behavior: While adjusting my legs on the bed, the nurse accused me of “kicking her,” a baseless and offensive accusation.
3. Failure to Address Symptoms: Despite my severe pain and numbness (which extended to my face), my symptoms were dismissed and attributed to “breathing too fast.” This delayed the administration of appropriate care and medication.
4. Delays in Treatment: It took nearly two hours for me to receive pain medication via IV, despite my inability to swallow or keep anything down.

Once I was finally given IV-administered medication, my symptoms improved significantly, and I was able to speak, smile, and feel relief. This proved that my symptoms were real and severe, yet I was made to feel as though I was exaggerating or lying.

This experience has left me deeply shaken and distrustful of the care provided at your facility. As a mother of three, I rarely seek medical attention unless absolutely necessary, and this was my first-ever visit to an emergency room. Unfortunately, instead of receiving compassionate care, I was met with indifference and hostility.

I urge you to review the conduct of the nurses involved in my care on the evening of December 18th. Patients who seek emergency care should be treated with empathy and urgency, regardless of how “stable” their vitals may appear.

For reference, my last name is Lopilato, and I arrived at the emergency room around 5 PM on 12/18/24. I sincerely hope you take this feedback seriously and address these concerns appropriately.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

P.S. I’ve attached a photo to hopefully educate the nurse so she doesn’t make the same mistake twice.

V Avalos

My mother was sent to this facility because closer Kaiser Center had no beds available. She was sent to the ER dept to get evaluated. Considering that the ER was very busy, my mother got good care and the nurses were pleasant and helpful. As expected there was a waiting period, but all ER's are busy especially during flu season.

Noriko Stahl

My appointment was not in the computer so I had to wait one and a half hours to be admitted but everyone was very kind and helpful that I felt comfortable and content

Suzanne Kunitz

Hope to never return here. Waited 6 hours for an appendectomy. Homeless man sleeping in the waiting area emptied his colostomy bag in the trash bin, dripping feces on the floor and furniture he lay on. No one did anything until a patient asked the staff to clean up the mess restrooms were filthy, staff overworked, stressed, and clearly lacking direction. Security was a joke, but plentiful. Did nothing about the homeless guy. Just a nightmare.

Jeff Slayton

The entire staff made my 5 day stay at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Hospital as comfortable as possible. I received excellent care even once I got back home.

Marshae Lindsey

My experience in L&D and Postpartum was the best thing ever, I’ll never forget it! The staff was extremely nice, professional, and knowledgeable in their fields of practice. Their teamwork and communication with each other as well as myself was also superb. Special thank you to my L&D nurses Nicole, Travisa, Kwanya, Lola, and Wendy. And Postpartum nurses Kelly, Camie, Janice, and Betsy! You’re all so very much appreciated.