5 Step down post operative care unit RIH

Hi Kristen, I was in the step down unit for 3 days and I loved it. I was also in the room where you were but it wasnt a party atmosphere. There were nurses and doctors but they were talking quietley. I was in and out of consciousness the first day and most of the second day. But I had great care because they were there when I wanted them. I enjoyed it. When I had to leave and go to the regular floor, then it became a nighmare with a roommate from hell. Although I drove the nurses nuts that Friday night when i was sent there. I couldnt get anything medication wise to sleep. At least in step down, the nurses gave me something right away. The thing I liked about step down is there was a seperate nurse for a few patients. Carol b

hi there. i'm sorry you didn't think step down was a good place for you. personally, i really liked it - especially once i moved out of it and realized how annoying the rest of the hospital really is. i was in step down for about 18 hours. when i woke up from surgery in the kind of pain i was in [think open incision, 14 inches long, epidural not pumping the pain meds into my spine....] i could barely keep myself together long enough to explain what was going on. but those nurses did everything in their power to get my pain under control. i woke up the next day, and yes.. it was noisy - but having that nurse within reaching distance was wonderful. i wish i could remember her name, but there was one that really went out of her way to make it as comfortable as possible. and to answer your question - yes, step down is an ICU/critical care department. they have to have the nurses station right there, or they couldn't respond quickly enough. Didn't Kelly go over all this at the pre-op teaching class? that's where I learned all of it. Gastric Bypass patients are in there right next to the kidney transplant patients. I saw that as the hospital wanting to give us the best post-op care possible. If something were to go wrong, and you were in a private Co-op room - it could be 15-30 minutes before the nurse got to you. that's about 14-29 minutes too long. You know? Anyway, I'm just glad you made it home from the hospital in one piece and healthy. You'll soon forget the hospital stay, I promise. ciao Kristen

Kristen: I completly agree with you that the nurses are and should be right there for you, however if you are the for nearly 30 hours, without being knocked out from the pain meds (I did not take much of them, I did not like them) and not sleeping, that is a bad thing. It is very important that when you are recovering that you get some sleep, and I was told that I would be in step down for 12 hours, not 30. It was just a bad experience all around, but I am past it and feeling good!!!

Hi, I haven't had surgery yet but I was a visitor in the step-down unit when my s-i-l had surgery in January. It did seam a bit hectic and I can understand why you were uncomfortable and unable to sleep. I guess they just want to be able to keep a visual rather than having to go to different rooms. It makes sense but that doesn't make it any more of a pleasant place to be while you are trying to sleep

Wow Kristin, I don't remember anything like that!! I'm sorry you had a rough time!