Can someone tell me about internet, etc at CCF?

[watson524]

Hi all,

We still haven't gotten a schedule yet, but mom will be going to Cleveland Clinic for her MV replacement. I will be the only one going with her since it's about 8 hours from our home.

I'm going to try to stay as connected at work and to friends/family via the internet as possible. Can someone tell me if there's wireless access out there in the surgical waiting area, ICU waiting area and patient rooms? I can also tether up using either my iPhone or t Mobile blackberry if needed for signal.

Do they even allow wireless access all over? I assume not in the ICU rooms themselves but how 'bout the step down unit or the private patient units?

Also - how does visiting work? We'll have a room at a local hotel/guest house but obviously, I'll be at the hospital as much as possible. Do they have strict visiting hours? In between visiting hours can I wait in a lounge area or something vs going back to the hotel and coming back?

Trying to figure out what to expect since I'll be the only one there with mom and will want to be with her as much as possible but also know she'll need her rest and such and in the beginning, they might not want me bringing "outside germs" into say the ICU.

thanks in advance!

 

[gerrys]

Most hospitals have pretty strict visiting rules and schedules for ICU and coronary recovery units. It's probably best to call the patient advocate at CC to find correct and specific answers to your questions.

 

[scott.eitman]

Wireless all over. They are not hung up on the old rules like no cell phones.

Visiting hours are 24/7.

The ICU was probably 24/7. I believe the only rule was no really young kids. My 15 year old freely walk in. My 9 year old stayed out.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Watson524,

I just got out of the Cleveland Clinic, and can tell you that their visiting hours are 24/7! Even in the ICU! They of course want to limit the number of people visiting down do a minimum, especially in ICU. (I believe 2 is resonable) I was surprised to hear this, as was my wife, but it was true. They say that it is good for the patient.

My wife brought her lap top and was connected through the Clevelad Clinic's wireless the whole time. she did not have any issues with it, but at the hotel she used her own wireless modem aircard.

Hope this helps,
Rob

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Watson524,

I just got out of the Cleveland Clinic, and can tell you that their visiting hours are 24/7! Even in the ICU! They of course want to limit the number of people visiting down do a minimum, especially in ICU. (I believe 2 is resonable) I was surprised to hear this, as was my wife, but it was true. They say that it is good for the patient.

My wife brought her lap top and was connected through the Clevelad Clinic's wireless the whole time. she did not have any issues with it, but at the hotel she used her own wireless modem aircard.

Hope this helps,
Rob

Rob, I'm curious when you say 24/7 even in CICU, do they have a place for someone to sleep in the rooms, in either the CICU or stepdown/floor (whatever they call it when you leave the ICU) or just can go and visit at any time day or night?

 

[watson524]

Thanks for the answers. This makes me feel a lot better. I'm going to have to set up some kind of mailing list or update page to keep connected to folks back home but also, some of them don't have internet/email so I'm glad to hear phones are ok too (obviously I'd go to a lounge or something to talk on the phone vs right on the floor).

 

[Lynlw]

Thanks for the answers. This makes me feel a lot better. I'm going to have to set up some kind of mailing list or update page to keep connected to folks back home but also, some of them don't have internet/email so I'm glad to hear phones are ok too (obviously I'd go to a lounge or something to talk on the phone vs right on the floor).

IF you click on the link in my signature, it goes to my sons caringbridge page. It is one of the sites they have that are free and very easy for people with medical problems to make it easy to update everyone what is going on. I REALLY reccomend some type of page like that., it makes it so much easier and cuts down on the number of phone calls also there is a guestbook where people can leave message. Justin has an oldschool page,because we set it up years ago, but the newer ones visators can sign up to get an email letting them know when the page is updated. So they don't have to keep checking all day.

I wanted to add, some of our older family members don't get online, so we had someone else that would call them and let them know the updates. The less calls we had to make the better and I could spend my time with Justin.

 

[watson524]

Thanks! You know, I subscribe to someone's blog now that I work with and was going to look there. Didn't know how easy it was from the update side but now that I know they're straightforward, I'll have a look.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Rob, I'm curious when you say 24/7 even in CICU, do they have a place for someone to sleep in the rooms, in either the CICU or stepdown/floor (whatever they call it when you leave the ICU) or just can go and visit at any time day or night?

Hi,

They did not allow for anyone to stay overnight in the ICU room. But they did have a type of bed for a family member to stay overnight in the step-down room.

Hope this helps,
Rob

 

[Lynlw]

Thanks! You know, I subscribe to someone's blog now that I work with and was going to look there. Didn't know how easy it was from the update side but now that I know they're straightforward, I'll have a look.

I am very computer impaired so IF I can update anyone can. Beside the site Justin has www.caringbridge.org there also is another site www.carepages.com that alot of people use. I prefer caringbridge as a visitor because you don't have to sign in and remeber a password ect to check the page..

 

[watson524]

Thanks for the insight. The no password thing definitely sounds like a better option.

 

[Michelle D]

My husband slept on the bench/bed in my room the first night there because I was flown in at 2 am. In the ICU the nurses were good about kicking people out when I looked too exhausted. If she is anything like I was she may rather sleep than have visitors. If she looks tired and you want to stay in with her you can suggest you take a nap as well. You'll be tired too.

 

[watson524]

Thanks Michelle, it's good to have some insight of what to expect going into things. I am hoping to be able to catch up on work and keep that schedule as normal as possible when mom is resting but we'll see how that goes.

Now if we could just get a date. It's been just over a month since we met with her local cardio to get things set up. Early last week they sent a CD of the echo to Dr. Lytle so we're waiting to hear back....

 

[carolyn]

Wireless is available through Cleveland Clinic throughout to include the lounges and step down room. If you need to print anything, there are computers w/printers available in the education rooms (lobby under the iceberg sculpture). Visiting in ICU is 2 people at a time and requested to call from the beige phones in the lounge - 1st visit follows registering with the receptionist at the lounge - cell phones have to be truned off while visiting in ICU (something we had to continually remember)- there is a small station in the hallway by the elevators to make yourself coffee or tea - step down rooms have a seated area that pulls out to a sleeping area and staff will furnish bedding - we stayed at the hospital throughout the day and went back to the hotel for an afternoon break and in the evenings - at the intercontinental suites, internet is available for a cost of a few dollars per day - best wishes to you

 

[watson524]

Thanks Carolyn. I'll be the only one out there with mom so no worries about too many people at once.

 

[carolyn]

Make certain you get your rest. With parents that are older it is extremely stressful. I was not able to get much work done while my father was in ICU. Your mother will be in very good hands, if you need a change of scenery, get to the rooftop pavillion for a splendid view particularly at sunset.

 

[watson524]

Thanks for the tip. I have a pretty crummy immune system and I tend to get sick when I get run down so I'm pretty conscious of that and also will be taking some extra vitamin packs (Emergen-C things) as well to keep my system running well. I also don't want to risk potentially having a bug and not knowing it and tracking it into the hospital so I'll be making sure I take my vitamins and such.

 

[Jkm7]

Everyone is different but both my surgeries, as much as I wanted to see my DH, I tired very quickly and I really wanted to be left to be quiet and rest. The exhaustion post OHS is hard to describe. My first surgery, I recall waking after a nap and knew I was awake but literally debated with myself if it was worth using the energy to open my eyes. I decided it wasn't worth it and went back to sleep.

Your Mom may not have the same exhaustion but you probably will want to watch for it and let her sleep when she can. They wake patients so often for all the things staff needs to do for patients that sleep is precious.

 

[Johnz]

The Cleveland Clinic is wonderful and everyone is helpful. Wireless service is everywhere. My family stayed at the hotel connected to the hospital via skywalk, so back and forth was quick and easy. The rooms are discounted for patients and their families. While I was in surgery, the staff had my wife and the other spouses/loved ones in a waiting room where they gave presentations and regular updates on each person's surgery which was a great distraction for worried family members. They paid attention to everyone's needs. It's a great place.

 

[watson524]

Thanks John, that's good to know. And your timing is great because I was just about to make a post giving the latest on some news we got today from there.... looks like we're getting closer.