Since Sequoia is now run by Dignity Health, a Catholic organization, I would urge anyone to make sure that their ethics and intentions line up with Dignity's. Other hospitals run by Dignity Health have refused to do tubal ligations after birth, the safest time to do it. When I searched on tubal ligation on the Sequoia Hospital Dignity Health website, nothing came up, so they are not even upfront as to whether they will do it or not.

Web Link

Another alternative is El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. They have birthing suites and postpartum rooms, all of which are private. They offer certified nurse-midwives if you so choose. AFAIK, they are the most advanced maternity center in terms of patient care. They also have a level II and III NICU and so can handle all but the highest risk pregnancies. They deliver more than 5000 babies a year.

In contrast, Sequoia does not include the number of births on their website that I could find and has only a Level II nursery. Lucile Packard/Stanford also didn't include that number and of course is the premier place for high risk pregnancies. 2014 Caesarian rates: El Camino 27.6% Sequoia is 31.7%. Lucile Packard (Stanford) 27.9%.

Web Link

I have not given birth in CA but I have had loved ones at El Camino, Stanford and Sequoia. I participated in a birth at Sequoia but was not impressed, and that was before Dignity took over. In general, for nursing and patient care,I much preferred El Camino and recommend it for anything but highly specialized situations where Stanford is a world leader. El Camino is also highly ranked in any hospital survey I have seen.

Marie - Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the hospitals in the area. Especially your positive experience with El Camino.

When we had ours, Sequoia was the only one you could for sure get a private room. I had complications and cannot imagine having to deal with other people in the room. Things that went wrong and were no one's fault were handled in a way to ensure the best outcome not appearances.

Good nursing - Thank you for sharing your experience at Sequoia.

I posted this on NextDoor:
"How many of you have had experience with the newly remodeled Sequoia Hospital? As a board member of the Sequoia Healthcare District which sold the hospital to Catholic Charities West (now Dignity Health)in 2007, I am interested in the success of this community gem. A recent blog on the Almanac Web Link raised some questions.
Tell us about your experiences."

These are ALL the responses so far:

Nancy
I had surgery at Sequoia a year and a half ago, and the experience couldn't have been better. I have high regard for the staff and the facility, which is beautiful.

Debbie
I wouldn't worry about that blog. It's possible they have too much time on their hands. I had a great experience at Sequoia hospital.

Rebecca
I had my first child at Sequoia two years ago and would plan on having any future deliveries there as well. I had one nurse that was not great, but the other 6-7 nurses were amazing and so wonderful! I felt like the experience was great and they were very accommodating to my birth preferences and wishes. I was also thankful for a beautiful, private room for delivery and post recovery.

Andy
30 years as our go to Hospital wether we want to or not. Love the new facilities, especially the finally finished parking. It's nice to have a competent medical facility 3 minutes 45 seconds away from where I play with my chainsaw.

David responded to my NextDoor post with:
"They don't do abortions as a catholic hospital. Don't know about prescribing contraceptives."

I suppose that's relevant to some folks, but not a reason for shunning Sequoia Hospital.

I have just read the Rebecca Chamorro story. It's unfortunate that the tubal ligation procedure was not discussed and committed to before the birth.

Sue responded to my NextDoor post:

We have had three experiences at Sequoia over the past 18 months. All three experiences have been outstanding. One was an emergency surgery, the second a planned surgery and the last an emergency room visit for another problem. Needless to say we hope we don't need to go there for another ten years... The care was so excellent that we changed our family trust document to leave money to Sequoia after our passing. That says it all.

Jack Hickey - Thanks for sharing the responses to your next door post. It's great to read the positive experiences.

More responses to my NextDoor post:

Roberta
Love this place. Very caring staff.

Carol
I had a very unpleasant experience with Dignity's billing dept. after a visit to Sequoia's Emergency room. The ER visit itself was fine but I question their billing practices.

Margaret
Excellent! Especially pleasant doctor & caring nurse. No problems or complaints.

Yvonne
I had an excellent experience there the summer of 2015. ER visit then admitted, surgery then transfer to Stanford. My friend was with me most of the time and she's an RN at Kaiser. She was impressed too. I love Sequoia. Great care. They also recently got great scores on infection rates and other safety metrics so that says a lot!

Yvonne
Here are the safety scores:
Web Link

Annie
Had a procedure there recently. Absolutely nothing to complain about.

Debbie
Sequioa Hospital has always been where I went for surgeries, emergencies, Physical Therapy, lab & had many tests done there! Dignity Health will no longer accept Medi-cal unless it is an emergency. I am very disappointed. My doc is with Dignity Health & I couldn't go to the hospital where he sees patients! I was ok to keep my doctor after a long intensive process. One year later they have decided that since no contracts were agreed upon during that year, I can no longer see him. I've been seeing him for 34 yrs. Dignity's decision has cost many people the doctor they have had for a long time! I think it's just so unfair!

Terry
We live just minutes and have been going there off and on for 20 years. We have had nothing but good experiences there and excellent care. We have been through several surgeries, radiation etc and have had great nursing care. The staff has always been caring and professional. The rooms are great and very clean....I give it a A+


Ginger
Correction...it was sold to CHW =Catholic Healthcare West.

Jack Hickey from Emerald Hills
Of course. Catholic Healthcare West.

Valerie
I have heard wonderful things from moms who have used Sequoia Hospital for their pregnancy delivery.

Lara
I feel fortunate to have such a great resource so close. From a great delivery of my son to the occasional ER visits, it's a great place. Fortunately we haven't had to use the ER since completion of the remodel.

Beverly
Tubal ligations ARE done at Sequoia.

William
I completed 12 sessions at Sequoia Hospital Pysical Therapy for my Achilles Tendonitis mostly with a newer gal, Christina Howard in June. She is exceptionally good and caring. Did a few with MaryJo also and she is very good but Christina and I connected so well.

More comments re: Sequoia Hospital on NextDoor:

Breanne
I spent 2 nights in the cardiology department a little over a month ago. I had different nurses over 3 days and every single one was kind, attentive and friendly! If you have to stay in the hospital, they made it the best experience possible.

Also just went to the ER for my younger brother and everyone we encountered was great and it was quick. Though he is 21, he even got Dora the Explorer stickers when he asked lol That gave everyone in the ER a good laugh :)

Anonymous
Hi, Jack....I've lived in this area for 60 years. Both kids born at Sequoia; husband's shoulder surgery; husband's lung cancer surgery at Sequoia; my back and gall bladder surgeries at Sequoia; last year (February) ER for my severe diarrhea problem (two different days). Son, John's shoulder and knee surgeries. We all LOVE Sequoia!! All staff...nurses, docs, helper-outers....what a great hospital to have in our community.

Thanks for asking; jus' thinkin'

More posts on NextDoor

Nancy
I had surgery at Sequoia a year and a half ago, and the experience couldn't have been better. I have high regard for the staff and the facility, which is beautiful.

Mark
I had an almost identical experience at Sequoia a few weeks ago. My son cut his finger and i made the mistake of taking him to the er. We got off lucky. No stitches, just super glue and a bandaid. $3,210.00
The thing that irked me is that they dont tell you that walking thru the door is a minimum of $1,500 or i woukd have walked out. Then, i asked for an itemized bill and it was nothing but acronyns. They said i would havd to go to the records department in person to get the bill interpreted. Love the people there. Hate the system.

Julia
Thank you for complimenting Sequoia Hospital Emergency Room Staff. We are kind and professional people! As for charges: every hospital charges incredible amount for ER visits. Call billing department and discuss with them. Are you required to pay $3600 or you just concern about your insurance company? Emergency Room is not a clinic/private MD office visit and the charges are always much higher. Remodel or no remodel.

William
I completed 12 sessions at Sequoia Hospital Pysical Therapy for my Achilles Tendonitis mostly with a newer gal, Christina Howard in June. She is exceptionally good and caring. Did a few with MaryJo also and she is very good but Christina and I connected so well.

Nanette
Sequoia hospital they are great

Margaret
I tried to find urgent care last spring - nothing available - so I ended up at Sequoia emergency. Would love to know if you locate any urgent care. My cuts and other stuff don't need A Dr., just a good nurse!