info on Cleveland Clinic

[csutherland]

Since Jerry's been diagnosed with ascending aortic aneurysm this week we've been wondering about going to Cleveland Clinic this time. He feels more uneasy about this upcoming surgery than the AVR--partly because he's 3 yrs older, he's already been through 2 major surgeries (see below) and it just seems scarier for some reason. Since we haven't even heard from the cardio yet we don't know what his recommendation will be. The thing is 5.2 cm and all my research says 5.5 is when they want to fix them. Anyway, he's feeling like a ticking time bomb. Our daughter's father-in-law died in '96 of an abdominal aneurysm so we're well aware of the risks.

I have some questions of you who have experience with Cleveland:

1. Do you just call or go online and ask for someone to send your records to?
2. Do they have in-house accommodations for the spouse?
3. What about post-op checkups? Do they allow your local cardio to do those? And how do local drs feel about patients going out of town? They sometimes have pretty big egos.

These are just some of the things going around in our heads while we wait to hear from the doctors. Of course, the weekend is here. That's the way it always happens, isn't it?

 

[Ross]

I have some questions of you who have experience with Cleveland:

1. Do you just call or go online and ask for someone to send your records to?
You may do either. Probably best to call. 1-800-223-2273 and ask for Cardiac Surgery.

2. Do they have in-house accommodations for the spouse?
Not in house, but they do have on campus accomodations.

3. What about post-op checkups? Once released from surgery, unless your Cardiologist is in the clinic, you go to your home Cardiologist for follow up.
Do they allow your local cardio to do those? Yes
And how do local drs feel about patients going out of town? Mine want me to go whereever I feel comfortable going. They've never given me any guff.
They sometimes have pretty big egos.

These are just some of the things going around in our heads while we wait to hear from the doctors. Of course, the weekend is here. That's the way it always happens, isn't it?

I'll post you some links to look over.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/appointment/default.asp

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/hear...ections/default.asp?firstCat=88&secondCat=383

http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/body.cfm?id=142

 

[Harpoon]

And answer based on my experiences...

1. Do you just call or go online and ask for someone to send your records to?

Personally, I was refered by my cardiologist who sends many of his patients to Cleveland for surgery (he's in Buffalo, NY, about 4 hours from Cleveland by car, I'm actually an hour closer and have family in Cleveland on the west side)

You can probably ask your primary physician or attending cardiologist to forward records to the appropriate people at Cleveland Clinic. If you go to their website (Ross posted the links) you can find out more information about doing it on-line or by phone. I spoke with a registered nurse a lot who handled most of the coordination between patients, doctors, and other resources. On the initial referal I was given a patient ID number that stuck with me the entire time I was in Cleveland. I still have it if another doctor needs to look at my history from there. They are VERY good at helping coordinate everything for you, even sending schedules for appointments along with a variety of phonecalls with information or to see if you have questions or just to check in on you.


2. Do they have in-house accommodations for the spouse?

Yup. There are also two (by my last count) hotels that specifically serve Cleveland Clinic patients and families during their time at the facility. They have a shuttle service for people to get around the campus (it's HUGE, something like 8 blocks of the city) and all kinds of concierge type services to help out. There are also a number of good dining facilities within the complex including a big food court area which serves a variety of really GOOD foods as well as Starbucks Coffee, McDonald's (for now) and soon to be a Subway as I recall... They had a Pizza Hut, but I think that's been closed. There are also smaller food kiosks in various places where you can get deli style sandwiches, salads, muffins, coffee, etc...

3. What about post-op checkups? Do they allow your local cardio to do those? And how do local drs feel about patients going out of town? They sometimes have pretty big egos.

Again, my cardiologist works with the people in Cleveland fairly regularly so there's already a good rapport there. I did speak with a few other patients while at Cleveland Clinic who were there for other reasons (most not heart related) and they all seemed to like being where they were and didn't suggest there was any problem with working with local doctors or egos like that. I think you'll find that because of the nature of Cleveland Clinic's cardiac care units and the volumn of patients they get literally from around the globe, they don't
fuss much with patients who want follow-up care from their own doctors. As long as it's done.
Of course you are more than welcome to return to Cleveland for follow-up care or additional treatment if neccesary, but it wouldn't be required for "out-of-towners."

By the way, my surgery was in March, 2003 and I haven't been back to Cleveland, not even to visit my relatives, since...

Ideally, the next time I do go back to Cleveland, it will be either to see an Indians game (I haven't seen them play in the new stadium) or to see the Cleveland Gran Prix race... And of course to visit family. I've "toyed" with the idea of popping in to see the folks at Cleveland Clinic but I wouldn't want to interfere with their busy schedules too much.

 

[perkicar]

Cleveland Clinic Accomodations

Cleveland Clinic Accomodations

Do the hotels that serve CCF patients offer decent rates for patient families/spouses? Just curious, I'd hate to think of racking up montrous hotel bills on top of the already monstrous hospital bill. Both the hotels they mention on their website are pretty nice places, not what I would think of as normally "cheap".
On another note, I'm still waiting for Dr Lytle to get back to me after reviewing my records. I did a self referral through their website and so far, have been pretty impressed with the quickness and thoroughness of their responses.
So they don't even need to see you post surgery (assuming all goes well?) I'd probably be staying at my brothers in Columbus OH after my surgery, so it wouldn't be a terrible hardship to drive up for an appointment, except for the car ride itself.
Carolyn

 

[BillCobit]

cleveland clinic accommodations

cleveland clinic accommodations

check out earlier thread - Cleveland Clinic: Where to stay

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8676

 

[Harpoon]

I suspect the rates are a "little" cheaper than average for Cleveland area accomidations, but I'm not sure on that... You could certainly ask the folks at CCF who set up all the other arrangements or just contact the hotel directly, I think it's a Hotel Intercontinental...

 

[Stitch]

I did not go to Clevland Clinic (it was on my list of choices), but I did not do what my local Cardio wanted, went out of town to have surgery, and a surgery the Cardio was against. On the plane ride home I had Afib. The next day I called my Cardio wondering if he would even see me. He did that day. It was more work for me to have surgery out of town because the surgeon wanted checkup info that was always more work than it should have been to send. Despite these small problems I would do it all the same way again.

 

[SHerrin Hutt]

Hi
Well, I have been to Cleveland Clinic many times. I had my repair in 1999. It was a hard ship on my family being out of town. We found a extended stay hotel out of downtown.It was much cheaper for the week that I was there. When I was there to set up the surgergy date and follow up. We stayed closer to the clinic. My Dr's here didn't give me any problems with going there. I decided when I had to have my valve replace I would stay home. It much easier on the family. The cardiologist in this area don't know how to do repairs. That is why I was sent to CCC. They are very helpful with all your needs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[John & Joann]

Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

The guest house will cost around $700 per week. The Intercontinental is a 4 or 5 star facility and will cost around $200 per night. They have all types of food choices including an excellent hospital cafeteria.

I stayed at the Guest House for 2 weeks. It is a 5 minute walk to the clinic or you can ride the bus service free. The parking at Guest House is also free and there is an excellent restaurant that is very reasonable for a big city.

Send us a private message if we can be of further assistance. 34 years of experience with valve issues at Cleveland Clinic. We know the facility and staff well!

Highly recommend Cleveland Clionic.

 

[perkicar]

The guest house will cost around $700 per week. The Intercontinental is a 4 or 5 star facility and will cost around $200 per night. They have all types of food choices including an excellent hospital cafeteria.

I stayed at the Guest House for 2 weeks. It is a 5 minute walk to the clinic or you can ride the bus service free. The parking at Guest House is also free and there is an excellent restaurant that is very reasonable for a big city.

Send us a private message if we can be of further assistance. 34 years of experience with valve issues at Cleveland Clinic. We know the facility and staff well!

Highly recommend Cleveland Clionic.

Yee-ouch! $200 a night is a bit stiff! I think I'll look into the guest house when my time comes. My brother and sister in law will undoubtedly be with me and I think that would work better for all of us (although the pricey hotel pampering sounds nice too!)
Carolyn

 

[John & Joann]

Guest House has 2 double beds and a very small kitchen.

Nice staff.