When I first arrived I was anxious and feeling like a train wreck. At this point I'd lost 9 pounds…read moreover a week from severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and was desperate for fluids and food. HG is a pregnancy condition where the nausea is so bad, that it prevents you from keeping down even sips of fluid or small bites of saltines. Many women end up hospitalized, frequent flyers at the ER and needing major care to stay healthy and have a healthy pregnancy. After a trip to the ER myself and getting fully diagnosed after testing and IV's, my OBGYN made a plan for me that included coming here every 2-3 days for IV infusions. They include a liter of lactated ringers and a liter of lactated ringers loaded with essential daily and prenatal vitamins and IV medicine.
To say I was anxious was an understatement. But the staff here from front desk check in, pre-treatment vitals and treatment are truly wonderful. Everyone is so caring and empathetic, knowledgeable and professional. You start to see the same patients coming and going and it's really great to see the relationships between them and the nurses. Names are remembered, what was last talked about, sincere care. I've also been anxious about getting IV's, as they tend to hurt now which I'm not used to. But as my IV nurse best friend said, normally veins are plump and easy to access but mine are flat and dehydrated. The nurses here have been really great at giving heat pads, cuffs and using gravity to get my veins to pop out just enough. And we have enough between my arms and hands to be able to alternate without needing a midline or piccline (thank goodness).
What to expect ..... you walk into building 2 and they have a little desk who screens everyone who enters. They'll ask if you have any flu symptoms and do a laser gun temperature check. You'll get a sticker with the date and the word "screened" on it to wear, if you pass. Then you head into room 140, to the right and down the hall. You check in with the nurse and let them know when you took which medications last, they'll also ask if you've had a covid test within the last 2 weeks. Then you take a seat and wait to get called back. Once a nurse comes to grab you, they'll weigh you, take your blood pressure/vitals and temp. Afterwards, you'll head back to the actual IV area, which has chairs and privacy barriers between each chair. There is a huge desk/nurse station and then the chairs border it. So that eyes are always on you to make sure you're lines are doing well and you're being well cared for. Once you sit, they offer warm blankets and pillows for your head or IV arm to rest on. The chairs themselves are like lazy boys, they recline almost flat and the leg section pops up for you. They also have various snacks to offer. Graham crackers, saltines, peanut butter and Tillamook cheese. Cup of noodles if you're feeling extra hungry. Sodas, juices and water. Mid-infusion I'm usually able to eat some saltines with the cheddar cheese, which always tastes amazing, especially if I've been throwing up all night waiting to get to my next infusion. If you have to use the bathroom, they can unplug your machine which has a battery in it, then you can wheel your whole IV tower into the bathroom with you. Everything is as comfortable as they can possibly make it. Which is great, as I need to start coming in 3 times a week now. Which means I'll be seeing these nurses more than anyone outside of my household. For cleanliness, it's a hospital facility. It doesn't get much more brightly lit and clean than this place. There are also hand sanitizers every where and sterilized pens at check in, so no community reuse items, aside from door handles.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with my care here. I think you will feel the same, too. Come here with confidence and feel better!
Also, personal tips. Bring something cozy where your sleeve can roll up without being tight, or something to drape over your shoulders and uppers arms. My IV arm always gets really cold, so having that layer of insulation really helps keep the shivering down. If you didn't get good sleep and plan to nap, bring an eye mask, as it's really bright in the room. I also bring my own added blanket, as it's a little thicker. The room is a bit chilly to start with and getting 2 liters of cold IV pumped into you, does wonders for dropping your body temp. Also, the IV machines beep pretty often around the room, things like needing the change the IV bag or the bag is done. So at various points of your stay, you'll hear multiple IV machine beep alarms going off. Bring ear plugs if you're going to try to nap. Or if you're exhausted enough, perhaps you'll just sleep through them. If you plan on staying awake, bring some sort of book or activity to keep entertained. I see a lot of patients with headphones and movie watching going on. You're also welcome to bring your own snacks, too.