Connecticut Children's Med Center

For the last two days, I haven't been able to stop wondering why no one is investigating the pediatric mental health crisis unit. What my child and I experienced there was deeply traumatizing. Out of the entire staff, maybe two people were kind. As a parent, I will never bring my child back, and I strongly urge other parents to avoid this facility. It will only traumatize your children further. The unit mixes young children and teenagers together. Parents and kids are left waiting in freezing hallways. While the staff wore warm hoodies and sweaters, children were sitting in open pajamas complaining about how cold they were. When I asked for a blanket for my freezing child, I was dismissed and told, "You need to be seen by a doctor first." The environment was terrifying to witness: Inappropriate Staff Behavior: I watched staff members aggressively yell and speak rudely to a couple of boys in the hallway who were acting completely appropriately. and seems to be such a loving kids. Unprofessional Workers: A woman who was slurring her words and making a scene—who I initially assumed was a patient—turned out to be an employee wearing a staff badge. Unsafe Conditions: A patient escaped through a locked door shouting, "Finally, I ran away!" before two adults ran after her, grabbed her, and dragged her back. I've been told we may wait one day for room. Rooms of the patients was on the hallway. We went there desperately seeking help, but they provided none. It was a completely pointless, traumatic experience. Looking at other reviews and comments, I know I am not alone in this. I witnessed stuff arguing behind the glass. Someone urgently needs to investigate this unit. It is not a safe place for mental health wellness or for our children.

We’re still here receiving care, and I can’t say enough good things about Connecticut Children’s Hospital and the Hartford NICU/PICU. Every nurse, doctor, and the cardiac team have been amazing. Everyone works together, takes the time to explain everything, and truly cares about the kids and their families. A special thank you to Dr. Gupta. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, always takes the time to answer our questions, and is someone you can truly trust with your child’s care. We’re so grateful for everything they’re doing for our son and our family.

They actually saved my son's life. He was under 14 months old when we rushed him in to the ER. Thank God for all the staff, they did an amazing job. A special Thanks to everyone who works at CCMC. I greatly appreciate everything you do. I highly recommend this hospital.

honest review from a former patient whos been going here since I was 13 yrs!! I think this hospital is okay as long as you don't go for mental health. You are placed in zone c and have to wait HOURS to get evaluated by psych. This section of the hospital is always crowded especially when schools in session. I've seen parents complain about waiting times and being stuck in a chair and not even getting a private room....as another commenter said, if you're a parent visiting keep in mind only one person is allowed at a time. Also, no food/drinks. (They used to allow it but changed that. Now it's certain special exceptions) Keep in mind if you have a young kid, they are going to be mixed with older kids and will hear and see stuff that will leave them scared. Keep in mind, the people that go to zone c are there for a CRISIS meaning they're not acting like they usually do. I've heard staff say if a kid puts their hands on them they will fight them back and get fired...shouldn't you be more empathetic? I mean these are CHILDREN. and honestly I don't understand the way they evaluate kids...sometimes they will send you to a higher level of care and sometimes they'll just send you home after spending the whole day there. some staff should honestly not be in this section of the hospital as they do not know how to deal with mental health. HHC in my experience is horrible and only gets worst the more times you go....if you have to go, keep it limited to a one time stay.. Kids keep coming back over and over sometimes even the day after they get discharged because this hospital isn't good at discharge planning and helping the kids. This hospital used to be better. There was a staff who I forgot his name but I was there for a few days and he took me on a walk outside zone c to the fishbowl at the front because he knew I loved walks and it was stressful being there. Also a while back they allowed tablets after you spent a specific amount of time there but unfortunately it got taken away because kids abuse that privilege..again only certain kids have access to it now. Although... If you're there, ask for child life (specifically Amber) they can provide fidgets, books for older kids to read, sticker by numbers, etc. Mind you, whenever I'm being sent to a hospital by ambulance I beg and try to convince them to not send me to ccmc. Also, notice how every negative review is addressed EXCEPT the ones about zone c... Says a lot doesn't it?

My son just went in for a sebaceous cyst removal. Everything seemed fine doctors introduced themselves nurses were kind techs introduced themselves. I really thought it was going to be a really safe procedure. I saw my son like half hour in recovery after the surgery and I was shocked on how they had him. Flat lifeless with blood dripping still on hes scalp! When I ask the recovery nurse to clean it she told I could do that home. Doctor came i express my son's innapriated state and my concern and maybe anesthesia was not good. He told me it was all good and it will wear off in less day. We are in day two my son is hallucinating having anxiety attacks 😕 and nausea 😵 went to ER doctors suggested it must be him. After 5 hours in a smelly hallway in children's emergency we left ... Horrible Horrible experience shame on you Hartford Children's Hospital I will take legal action

I would really like to see an update to the policy about only allowing one person to visit at a time. This was in the zone C area. You would think if they really cared about the kids mental health and they have TWO parents that are active in the child’s life they would want both present to support each other and the child. Instead one has to sit in the waiting room with all the sneezing coughing children while the other visits the child who is in crisis. Definitely NOT therapeutic to the patient. Also the communication is absolute trash. I will say that MOST of the staff is very nice though. Thankfully!

This hospital is absolutely the best in the area for children. We live in the Amherst/Northampton area in Massachusetts and have been to BayState Springfield a few times and the level of care and service in comparison was so much better. The staff are so knowledgeable and listened to me and my concerns when my 2.5 year old was there with RSV. The environment is clean. The food is tasty and all of the staff from nurses and doctors and the respiratory team are so good with kids!!! she went in on Tuesday evening and I thought we would be there for at least a week. We ended up leaving Thursday afternoon. Thank you CCMC!!!

Grateful for the team at CCMC. There are so many exceptional professionals who truly care. Special thanks to the entire MS7 team! The nurses were amazing (thank you, Taylor and Jaime! ) The Child Life team (Lauren and Bailey) and OT therapist, Gianna, are truly one of a kind! As in all healthcare settings, it’s important to advocate for yourself or your child, and having amazing people like this truly made all the difference for me and my family.

Our experience with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center was nothing short of exceptional. I am truly convinced that everyone who works here is an angel in disguise. The compassion, patience, and genuine kindness shown by every single person put our 6-year-old—and us as her parents—completely at ease throughout her procedure. Dr. Knod and her entire team were simply amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this facility.

The medical staff here are great. It is everything else that needs to be replaced. The reception, getting your name tag, registration, billing are all horrible and make the entire experience at the hospital feel like a developing country. For example, when we arrived through the front door, we walked up to the desk and said we were there for surgery. The front desk gentlemen ignored us and was busy scrolling on his cell phone. After another couple of excuse me's, he continued to ignore us. He did not even raise his head. We just stood there for 5 minutes before he even looked up to acknowledge us. Then it took another 10min for him to thump our names and print out our name tags. It was not busy and there was no one else in the lobby.