Although this experience happened several months ago, this review is relevant.
A week after having a Watchman (heart) procedure, I was having cardiac arrhythmias. I was taken by ambulance to the closest emergency department, which happened to be at the Aurora Medical Center (now, HCA HealthONE Aurora), a different institution from where the Watchman procedure had been done.
After the medical team cardioverted me (by medication) back to a normal sinus rhythm, I was discharged and directed to an exit sign that led me outside. I walked outside. While I waited for a ride, there was no bench to sit on. Still recovering from the Watchman procedure done the previous week, and still not feeling good after having arrhythmias and a heart rate as fast as 180 beats/minute, I had no place to sit except on the curb near the place I had been told to exit.
A week later, the arrhythmias returned. Again, I was rushed to an emergency department. I begged not to be taken to the Medical Center of Aurora. Thankfully, the ambulance crew took me to a different institution. I spent the next week in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of that institution. read more