Docs in WA

[Guest guest]

I don't know Dr. Crutcher (interesting name for an orthopedist), but when I call in, the voicemail lady says "If you want to make an appt with Dr. Crutcher or Dr. Toomey, press 1".

I live in Lacey, about 55 miles from the hospital. I'm going to have to take the bus to one of my cousins' house the night before & he'll take me in the next morning, then another cousin will take me home.

I was recently in a hospital in Lacey and was very impressed with the care except for one thing. My BP was 117/74 after I'd been there a while, but because I had just (10 days before) had surgery on my other knee (partial meniscectomy), they were somewhat worried about a clot (I had fallen off a ladder & my heart felt strained -- chest tight & short of breath) & they slapped a nitro patch on me. They took my BP before I went to "sleep" (hospitals are not conducive to sleep, even though I had a private room) and it was 80/50 or something like that. I'd seen enough ER & other med shows to know that when it gets too low, you're dead, so I asked about it. The nurse was just following orders so I got no intelligent response from her. She didn't check it for another 4 hrs, by which time it was 50/30. I asked if I was dead & she ripped the patch off. I learned recently that if your BP is too low, you can get clots from the sluggish circulation -- the blood particles aren't traveling fast enough to stay apart. So that seemed irresponsible to me. My (new) GP (who didn't oversee my hosp. stay -- that was another doc) told me that if I was able to survive 50/30, it meant I didn't have atherosclerosis. But they didn't know that before they let it get so low.

Ann

Re: Fever

Ann, I live in Spokane. There are great hip surgeons here, but none that do resurfaceing. I was happy to find Dr Pritchett in Seattle and am very happy with the results. Who is your Seattle doc?-Barb

[Guest guest]

My mother was in St s various times and I thought she got

excellent care.

On Aug 24, 2006, at 10:10 PM, Ann wrote:

> I don't know Dr. Crutcher (interesting name for an orthopedist), but

> when I call in, the voicemail lady says " If you want to make an appt

> with Dr. Crutcher or Dr. Toomey, press 1 " . 

>  

> I live in Lacey, about 55 miles from the hospital.  I'm going to have

> to take the bus to one of my cousins' house the night before & he'll

> take me in the next morning, then another cousin will take me home.

>  

> I was recently in a hospital in Lacey and was very impressed with the

> care except for one thing.  My BP was 117/74 after I'd been there a

> while, but because I had just (10 days before) had surgery on my other

> knee (partial meniscectomy), they were somewhat worried about a clot

> (I had fallen off a ladder & my heart felt strained -- chest tight &

> short of breath) &  they slapped a nitro patch on me.  They took my BP

> before I went to " sleep " (hospitals are not conducive to sleep, even

> though I had a private room) and it was 80/50 or something like that. 

> I'd seen enough ER & other med shows to know that when it gets too

> low, you're dead, so I asked about it.  The nurse was just following

> orders so I got no intelligent response from her.  She didn't check it

> for another 4 hrs, by which time it was 50/30.  I asked if I was dead

> & she ripped the patch off.  I learned recently that if your BP is too

> low, you can get clots from the sluggish circulation -- the blood

> particles aren't traveling fast enough to stay apart.  So that seemed

> irresponsible to me.  My (new) GP (who didn't oversee my hosp. stay --

> that was another doc) told me that if I was able to survive 50/30, it

> meant I didn't have atherosclerosis.  But they didn't know that before

> they let it get so low. 

>  

> Ann

>> Re: Fever

>>>

>>>

>>> Ann, I live in Spokane. There are great hip surgeons here, but none

>>> that do resurfaceing. I was happy to find Dr Pritchett in

>>> Seattle and am very happy with the results. Who is your Seattle doc?

>>> -Barb

" Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done. "

[Guest guest]



The hosp. I was in where they let my BP go so low was Providence St. s in Olympia. I liked all the other aspects of the hospital. They're moving toward all rooms being private which I think is a good idea. I was impressed with their modern equipment. But it did seem to me they should have had a constant BP machine on me.

Ann

Re: FeverAnn, I live in Spokane. There are great hip surgeons here, but none that do resurfaceing. I was happy to find Dr Pritchett in Seattle and am very happy with the results. Who is your Seattle doc?-Barb "Relying on God has to begin every day as if nothing had yet been done."

[Guest guest]

<<They're moving toward all rooms being private which I think is a good idea. I was impressed with their modern equipment.>>

Ann - Back to Swedish Hospital -- all the rooms on the Orthopedic Floor in 2000 were private. Here in Wenatchee, I had to beg plead and wait in line for a private room for all my surgeries -- so I was thrilled with the privacy at Swedish (ahh sleep and no snoring/chatting when ya don't want to). Re the food, my family actually grabbed good food on the way into the Hospital or you could (at that time) order from the Restaurant area downstairs and it was delivered to your room (beat the "kitchen" food). And I ordered up morning mocha's (haha all day) from the coffee shop downstairs too.

The Surgeon had orders in my chart for my last 2 days to get me in the swimming pool in the basement for PT. Sooo glad I was released 2 days early as I "don't" float )

[Guest guest]

Oh! That is really good to know! After only 5000 years of hospitals they've finally figured out that being in a room with someone moaning & groaning or screaming or rotting isn't conducive to getting well.

Do they wake you up every few hours after a TKR? When I was in after my fall off the ladder, although they had my heart hooked up to a radio-transponder to the nurses' station, they took the BP by hand, every 4 hrs. I'd personally rather they'd hooked me up to an automatic BP machine that would send signals to the nurses' station (esp. since my BP went so low) -- maybe I'd learn to sleep through it. Also, they had the nurses' intercom on in my room, so I heard every announcement loud & clear.

Yeah, my food at Prov. St. 's kinda sucked. But I won't have family around to bring me food, unless my cousins who are taking me there & taking me home feel sorry for me & come see me. Thanks for telling me about ordering from the restaurant area. See how priceless this forum is?

I don't like swimming either. I'd rather tough it out trying to walk on the floor. But I guess I won't have any choice. Does that mean I should bring my bathing suit? I don't have to go in nude, do it? I can imagine what hospital swim suits look like -- one size fits all, like the orthopedic or PT shorts.

Thanks for the details!!

Ann

Re: Docs in WA

<<They're moving toward all rooms being private which I think is a good idea. I was impressed with their modern equipment.>>

Ann - Back to Swedish Hospital -- all the rooms on the Orthopedic Floor in 2000 were private. Here in Wenatchee, I had to beg plead and wait in line for a private room for all my surgeries -- so I was thrilled with the privacy at Swedish (ahh sleep and no snoring/chatting when ya don't want to). Re the food, my family actually grabbed good food on the way into the Hospital or you could (at that time) order from the Restaurant area downstairs and it was delivered to your room (beat the "kitchen" food). And I ordered up morning mocha's (haha all day) from the coffee shop downstairs too.

The Surgeon had orders in my chart for my last 2 days to get me in the swimming pool in the basement for PT. Sooo glad I was released 2 days early as I "don't" float )

[Guest guest]

<<Yeah, my food at Prov. St. 's kinda sucked. But I won't have family around to bring me food, unless my cousins who are taking me there & taking me home feel sorry for me & come see me. Thanks for telling me about ordering from the restaurant area. See how priceless this forum is?>>

My family lives in that area (I don't) so I was lucky in that respect. But keep in mind they do have "volunteer helpers" who float in/out of rooms all the time and are more than willing to find you a particular magazine, zip down to the coffee shop/restaurant, pick up the book you dropped wayyyy down there on the floor etc. The treats from downstairs just went on my hospital billing.

After only 5000 years of hospitals they've finally figured out that being in a room with someone moaning & groaning or screaming or rotting isn't conducive to getting well.

hahahaha, my first knee replacement was 24 yrs ago. You had to check in the night before and do all sorts of preop stuff you don't do now. Long story short, my roommate expired just as they were escorting me into the room!!!!! I felt sorry, but it took everything I had and my husband practically locking me in the hospital to stay there --- in another room of course. UGH, I'll never forget that. I was petrified enough without that escapade.

Do they wake you up every few hours after a TKR?

For me, it was the hip replacement and revisions that they woke me (or I woke them) and was repositioned. I didn't have much problems with the knee replacement or revisions and I actually liked the "knee machine". My biggest problem was they kept trying to get me to take the morphine pump -- finally after words with my Dr about me NOT doing morphine (made me really woozy and sick), he wrote orders to just go ahead and put me back on my "usual" hydrocodone in the small doses I asked for.

The TEDS are really tight tight white socks that come in different lengths and they will measure you for them. Some people find them irritating, but they didn't bother me. They help to prevent clots. I actually had some type of balloon pillows on my legs with this last surgery -- they pumped up/down - not sure what their technical name was - but it was warm air and really felt nice. Probably had something to do with keeping the blood flowing in your legs.

BTW, Swedish does have a website, you might want to peruse it. I also believe they offer prereplacement classes, but I live too far away to have taken them and have been thru this many times )

Re the donated blood. Better safe than sorry. I donated 2 or 3 units with ea surgery as I usually bottom out and need it on the 2nd and 3rd day post surgery. I did my units here in Wenatchee and Red Cross took care of shipping it to Seattle and it was right there on time when I arrived (I had to sign for it).

[Guest guest]

My final straw for having a roomie was years ago

when I was in Waconia in pelvic traction for my

back. My roomie had tons of company, 6 to 8 at a time.

They would stand there and laugh and have a hight ol

time. One gal came over to my bed in struck up a

conversation with me and for some ODD reason

wanted me for a friend. She gave me her phone

number for cripe sake. What an idiot. She insisted

on telling me all her personal problems and would

not leave me along. I almost slapped the & %#+*!!

For an extra $2 I could have had a private room. Hey,

I'll be more than glad to fork over $2 a day for some

piece and quiet.

Sherry

Re: Docs in WA

<<They're moving toward all rooms being private which I think is a good idea. I was impressed with their modern equipment.>>

Ann - Back to Swedish Hospital -- all the rooms on the Orthopedic Floor in 2000 were private. Here in Wenatchee, I had to beg plead and wait in line for a private room for all my surgeries -- so I was thrilled with the privacy at Swedish (ahh sleep and no snoring/chatting when ya don't want to). Re the food, my family actually grabbed good food on the way into the Hospital or you could (at that time) order from the Restaurant area downstairs and it was delivered to your room (beat the "kitchen" food). And I ordered up morning mocha's (haha all day) from the coffee shop downstairs too.

The Surgeon had orders in my chart for my last 2 days to get me in the swimming pool in the basement for PT. Sooo glad I was released 2 days early as I "don't" float )

[Guest guest]

Re: Docs in WA

<<Yeah, my food at Prov. St. 's kinda sucked. But I won't have family around to bring me food, unless my cousins who are taking me there & taking me home feel sorry for me & come see me. Thanks for telling me about ordering from the restaurant area. See how priceless this forum is?>>

My family lives in that area (I don't) so I was lucky in that respect. But keep in mind they do have "volunteer helpers" who float in/out of rooms all the time and are more than willing to find you a particular magazine, zip down to the coffee shop/restaurant, pick up the book you dropped wayyyy down there on the floor etc. The treats from downstairs just went on my hospital billing.

Cool! This forum gets better & better. Thanks for telling me about the volunteer floating helpers.

After only 5000 years of hospitals they've finally figured out that being in a room with someone moaning & groaning or screaming or rotting isn't conducive to getting well.

hahahaha, my first knee replacement was 24 yrs ago. You had to check in the night before and do all sorts of preop stuff you don't do now. Long story short, my roommate expired just as they were escorting me into the room!!!!! I felt sorry, but it took everything I had and my husband practically locking me in the hospital to stay there --- in another room of course. UGH, I'll never forget that. I was petrified enough without that escapade.

Wow!!

Do they wake you up every few hours after a TKR?

For me, it was the hip replacement and revisions that they woke me (or I woke them) and was repositioned. I didn't have much problems with the knee replacement or revisions and I actually liked the "knee machine". My biggest problem was they kept trying to get me to take the morphine pump -- finally after words with my Dr about me NOT doing morphine (made me really woozy and sick), he wrote orders to just go ahead and put me back on my "usual" hydrocodone in the small doses I asked for.

The TEDS are really tight tight white socks that come in different lengths and they will measure you for them. Some people find them irritating, but they didn't bother me. They help to prevent clots. I actually had some type of balloon pillows on my legs with this last surgery -- they pumped up/down - not sure what their technical name was - but it was warm air and really felt nice. Probably had something to do with keeping the blood flowing in your legs.

I had those once, although not following surgery. It's hard to see how stationary stockings can help prevent clots, but I guess they know what they're doing (one hopes).

BTW, Swedish does have a website, you might want to peruse it. I also believe they offer prereplacement classes, but I live too far away to have taken them and have been thru this many times )

Re the donated blood. Better safe than sorry. I donated 2 or 3 units with ea surgery as I usually bottom out and need it on the 2nd and 3rd day post surgery. I did my units here in Wenatchee and Red Cross took care of shipping it to Seattle and it was right there on time when I arrived (I had to sign for it).

Thanks. I really really really don't want some random person off the street's blood, so if I can I'll donate 2. My doc said they only last a few weeks. I thought they could freeze it.

Thanks again.

Ann

[Guest guest]

I wish the hospital I was going to had volunteer helpers

On admission I am going to get the direct line to the coffee shop

and give the guys money up front to deliver coffee to my room

It is only a small private hospital and the coffee they serve is just dreadful

When I was in hospital a few weeks ago my visitors bought coffees for me rather than

flowers because they know how much I love good coffee

Am worried though that I may go through withdrawl of caffine

-- Re: Docs in WA

Re: Docs in WA

<<Yeah, my food at Prov. St. 's kinda sucked. But I won't have family around to bring me food, unless my cousins who are taking me there & taking me home feel sorry for me & come see me. Thanks for telling me about ordering from the restaurant area. See how priceless this forum is?>>

My family lives in that area (I don't) so I was lucky in that respect. But keep in mind they do have "volunteer helpers" who float in/out of rooms all the time and are more than willing to find you a particular magazine, zip down to the coffee shop/restaurant, pick up the book you dropped wayyyy down there on the floor etc. The treats from downstairs just went on my hospital billing.

Cool! This forum gets better & better. Thanks for telling me about the volunteer floating helpers.

After only 5000 years of hospitals they've finally figured out that being in a room with someone moaning & groaning or screaming or rotting isn't conducive to getting well.

hahahaha, my first knee replacement was 24 yrs ago. You had to check in the night before and do all sorts of preop stuff you don't do now. Long story short, my roommate expired just as they were escorting me into the room!!!!! I felt sorry, but it took everything I had and my husband practically locking me in the hospital to stay there --- in another room of course. UGH, I'll never forget that. I was petrified enough without that escapade.

Wow!!

Do they wake you up every few hours after a TKR?

For me, it was the hip replacement and revisions that they woke me (or I woke them) and was repositioned. I didn't have much problems with the knee replacement or revisions and I actually liked the "knee machine". My biggest problem was they kept trying to get me to take the morphine pump -- finally after words with my Dr about me NOT doing morphine (made me really woozy and sick), he wrote orders to just go ahead and put me back on my "usual" hydrocodone in the small doses I asked for.

The TEDS are really tight tight white socks that come in different lengths and they will measure you for them. Some people find them irritating, but they didn't bother me. They help to prevent clots. I actually had some type of balloon pillows on my legs with this last surgery -- they pumped up/down - not sure what their technical name was - but it was warm air and really felt nice. Probably had something to do with keeping the blood flowing in your legs.

I had those once, although not following surgery. It's hard to see how stationary stockings can help prevent clots, but I guess they know what they're doing (one hopes).

BTW, Swedish does have a website, you might want to peruse it. I also believe they offer prereplacement classes, but I live too far away to have taken them and have been thru this many times )

Re the donated blood. Better safe than sorry. I donated 2 or 3 units with ea surgery as I usually bottom out and need it on the 2nd and 3rd day post surgery. I did my units here in Wenatchee and Red Cross took care of shipping it to Seattle and it was right there on time when I arrived (I had to sign for it).

Thanks. I really really really don't want some random person off the street's blood, so if I can I'll donate 2. My doc said they only last a few weeks. I thought they could freeze it.

Thanks again.

Ann

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