Braveheart
Well-known member
As many of you know, I had an AVR and single bypass at the Cleveland Clinic on June 30. When I had first found out that I might need the procedure, I checked the internet, (including this forum) and read all that I could about the different hospitals that do a lot of these procedures successfully. In my area, there are not many hospitals that had done the AVR to any great extent, and I wanted a place that had beeen exposed to the many problems that could occur with this operation.
I am so happy that I chose this hospital. All I can say, is that it is, by far, the most first rate institution that I have ever used. I can say this as a person who has been an inpatient, over the years, at more hospitals than I would care to remember.
I was seen by a group of surgeons and cardiologists, who checked on me often. I was amazed at the speed that the staff responded when I rang the bell for the nurse. Within 2-3 seconds of my hitting the bell, I would get a cheery, "May I help you?". Within thirty seconds, the appropriate person at my bedside. For someone who has often waited 20 minutes or more for the nurse to respond, this was not only refreshing, but made me feel that I was being treated like a human being, and not just a patient.
I would say that amongst the staff (nurses and aides) I would rate the worst one as "very good", as she was a bit stand offish for my tastes. By the time I was ready to leave, we had developed a great rapport, and she had softened considerably. I had one young aide who would walk with me, and let me cry on her shoulder when things were getting problematic for me emotionally. She was a joy, and a great help.
The rooms were lovely- all single accommodations. They had a big flat screen TV in the room, which I didn't watch much, but it WAS there, if I wanted it.
I was staying at the hotel which is on the premises of the clinic. When I was discharged, the aide took me in a wheelchair right to my hotel room. She then told me to keep the wheelchair, and just leave it at the front of the hotel, when I was ready to go home. That was wonderful. We stayed a couple of days post hospital in the hotel. I don't know what I would have done without the wheelchair.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience, considering what had happened.
I am so happy that I chose this hospital. All I can say, is that it is, by far, the most first rate institution that I have ever used. I can say this as a person who has been an inpatient, over the years, at more hospitals than I would care to remember.
I was seen by a group of surgeons and cardiologists, who checked on me often. I was amazed at the speed that the staff responded when I rang the bell for the nurse. Within 2-3 seconds of my hitting the bell, I would get a cheery, "May I help you?". Within thirty seconds, the appropriate person at my bedside. For someone who has often waited 20 minutes or more for the nurse to respond, this was not only refreshing, but made me feel that I was being treated like a human being, and not just a patient.
I would say that amongst the staff (nurses and aides) I would rate the worst one as "very good", as she was a bit stand offish for my tastes. By the time I was ready to leave, we had developed a great rapport, and she had softened considerably. I had one young aide who would walk with me, and let me cry on her shoulder when things were getting problematic for me emotionally. She was a joy, and a great help.
The rooms were lovely- all single accommodations. They had a big flat screen TV in the room, which I didn't watch much, but it WAS there, if I wanted it.
I was staying at the hotel which is on the premises of the clinic. When I was discharged, the aide took me in a wheelchair right to my hotel room. She then told me to keep the wheelchair, and just leave it at the front of the hotel, when I was ready to go home. That was wonderful. We stayed a couple of days post hospital in the hotel. I don't know what I would have done without the wheelchair.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience, considering what had happened.
