Carilion Hospital versus Lewis Gale Hospital (Roanoke: transfer, retired, health)

[TN Lily]

Is one better than the other? I am asking from the perspective of a patient, not an employee. But I realize that unhappy employees don't make for a good situation.

I cannot find much online comparing the two. I found a 10-year old article about Carilion's switch to a clinic model which some physicians did not like. They changed their affiliation to Lewis Gale. From what I gathered, a clinic model involved physicians selling their practices to Carilion and becoming an employee of the hospital. I can see why that would have upset some doctors.

Thanks in advance.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

Is one better than the other? I am asking from the perspective of a patient, not an employee. But I realize that unhappy employees don't make for a good situation.

I cannot find much online comparing the two. I found a 10-year old article about Carilion's switch to a clinic model which some physicians did not like. They changed their affiliation to Lewis Gale. From what I gathered, a clinic model involved physicians selling their practices to Carilion and becoming an employee of the hospital. I can see why that would have upset some doctors.

Thanks in advance.

Many people have strong preferences, but those preferences run both ways.

Carilion (aka Roanoke Memorial) has the higher level trauma ER, but Lewis Gale ER boasts about much shorter wait times. Lewis Gale is also building a free-standing full-service ER (not minor urgent care) near Tanglewood.

As for me and my house, I think the best advice is choose the primary care doctor that you like the best and then use the hospital where they are affiliated.

[Rabrrita]

Here's a place to start:

https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcom...ng=-79.9556424

[TN Lily]

Thank you to both. The Medicare link was interesting. Both hospitals earned a "Below the National Average" for Patient Experience. That does not sound good for either place. The only place Carilion exceeded Lewis Gale was "Efficient Use of Medical Imaging."

[Watchful]

I don't know about the Medicare ranking thing, but this article has Carilion RMH ranked #5 in the state...

Best Hospitals in Virginia | US News Best Hospitals

The original post mentioned physician dissatisfaction with the "clinic model" at RMH and this contributed to my wife's primary care practice group switching affiliations to LG.

An interesting sparring match took place for a while involving now retired Coach Frank Beamer from Virginia Tech. Carilion has a strong connection to Tech but Beamer personally had an advertising contract with Lewis Gale, especially touting the short waiting time at the ER. Carilion was not amused.

Frank Beamer's endorsements for LewisGale throw Carilion off | Virginia | roanoke.com

[RoanokeWahoo]

"As for me and my house, I think the best advice is choose the primary care doctor that you like the best and then use the hospital where they are affiliated."

This is the best advice. Research, ask around and find a good PCP that you are comfortable with and go from there.

[headnsouth]

LewisGale is a for-profit hospital and Carilion is not-for-profit and the trauma destination. The more complex cases to to Carilion because Carilion can handle them. LewisGale will see your sprained ankle sooner in the ER because Carilion is treating gunshot and stroke victims first, including the ones that get transferred there from LewisGale and other hospitals.

Faster does not always mean better. Why anyone would want to go to a stand-alone ER that has no actual hospital attached is beyond me. There is a Carilion urgent care right across the street from there. If I am hurt and don't need a trauma doc then I will go to urgent care and pay a lot less than I would at a hospital-less ER.

[16 Acres]

We've always been Lewis-Gale fans. Well satisfied on any of our needs.

[Rickcin]

For what it might be worth, US News & World Reports latest US Hospital ratings had Carilion listed as the 3 rd best Hospital in Virginia.