| Author |
Message |
    
josophbella
Citizen
Username: Josophbella
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 5:24 pm: |     |
I'm about to give birth to a baby with a congenital heart defect. He will need to have open heart surgery around 4 months old to correct the defect. We are looking at surgeons from both Columbia and Beth Israel to perform the delicate surgery. Obviously, we want the best "hands" to do the surgery, but my question is if any of you have had experience with the either of these hospitals (relating to children generally, heart surgery specifically).
Sadly, this is not the first time we've dealt with this, as our 4 year old daughter had the same corrective surgery. We did that at NYU, and for a variety of reasons have opted not to go back there. (She's fine and healthy, btw).
So, any recommendations out there? What are the facilities like? How are the nurses and support team? Cleanliness? Facilities for parents? Any advice you can give would be most appreciated. Thanks. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 858
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2004 - 5:57 pm: | |
While I don't have experience dealing with your exact situation, my wife's original ob-gyn was affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian. Our sonogram and amniocentesis were done there and we were very satisfied with the care she received.
Here's hoping that you experience the same sucess this time as you did the first.
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bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4407
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 4:21 am: | |
I would talk to the surgeons and get statistics on how many of these surgeries they perform every year and their success rate. Any surgeon who will not freely provide this information should, imho, be avoided. Everything I have read about surgery is those who do the procedure most often usually do it best.
Just based on its affiliation with Columbia Medical School, I would, all things being equal, lean towards Columbia Pres, which should not be taken as a slight of Beth Israel or the College of Medicine and Denistry here in NJ.
Best of luck and our prayers are with you. |
Jms
Citizen
Username: Jms
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 10:16 am: | |
I delivered our daughter almost 2 years ago at Columbia Pres. She was just under what was considered a "big baby" (9 lbs.) Her sugar levels were a little low for her weight so she was brought to the NICU to receive an IV and she stayed there throughout our stay- 2 nights. The nurses were phenomenal- I wanted to breastfeed so they set up an area for me and woke me up every 3 hours to feed her. I say this because I'm sure it would have been easier for them just to feed her formula rather than deal with me throughout the day and night. The facilities are older, but I felt like I was in the best place for her. Good luck to you. |
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