2 Surgeries, 2 Healthcare Systems

My husband and I both had surgery 4 days apart at two different healthcare systems.  I had my gallbladder removed at CHI Health Lakeside Surgery Center and my husband had shoulder surgery at another local outpatient surgery.  I am an RN at CHI Health, but I was very nervous about my surgery.  When the nurse called my name to go back to pre-op both my mom and my husband were by my side.  The nurse encouraged my family stay with me while she got me ready for surgery.  My husband helped me change into the hospital gown and he held my hand while I got my IV.  It was very comforting to have my family by my side.  They didn't leave my side until I walked into the O.R. When I woke up I bet it wasn't 15 minutes before my mom and husband were by my side and they got to stay with me throughout my recovery.

Four days later my husband went in for surgery at another facility that was not CHI Health affiliated.  When my husband went back for preop, I was not allowed to go back with him, in fact, it was 1 hour and 20 minutes before I got to see him.  He was already changed and had an IV in his hand and had been sitting by himself for an hour.  I was with him for 10 minutes before they made me leave.  The next time I was able to see him he was already dressed and ready to leave the recovery room and go home.  Again I got to see him for 10 minutes before I signed to have him discharged.  I felt horrible that he had to sit by himself through recovery plus I didn't know how he was doing.

Being both a patient and a family member of a loved one having surgery makes you realize how much your anxiety is decreased when you are connected with your loved ones.  Being connected to my family made a huge impact on the quality of care I received and made my surgical experience a pleasant one.  However, being disconnected from my husband during his surgery made his and my experience at that facility unpleasant.  Thank you Lakeside outpatient surgery nurses and staff for the care you gave to me and my family, you truly made my surgical experience "Excellent".

-Breanne