There was a recent article in the Columbus Dispatch about a remote relative, who was in a horrific MVA in The Republic of Georgia in March 2017. As you know, health care outside the US doesn't compare to what we have here at home, and especially at OSU.
The family was certain that he would not survive unless they could manage to get him out of the ill-equipped hospital in a very small town. It was an expensive, wearing proposition dealing with the Georgian air ambulance and government for transportation. OSU fraternity brother connections were taken advantage of with Wheels Up to help arrange transport to the US. We received word that he would finally be coming home and to Ohio State, I cannot tell you how excited we all were.
When I was informed of the flight/country itinerary, which was kept out of the public, I met with Beth Steinberg to give her a heads up on what her unit was about to receive. Though Austrian MDs had been in contact with the doctor, the SICU staff would not have known the total picture that had impacted his care abroad and his family.
I explained the family struggles from the time of the accident on. We wanted staff to be aware of how exhausted the family would be after the long ordeal. I had hoped that Beth could facilitate as smooth a transition as possible.
I contacted Beth on arrival day, to update her on where he was at each step of the journey home. Beth took the ball and ran. She was all in, kept her staff apprised, and even gave me her cell number to pass along to family. She said it was for anything they might need or questions they may have. She offered total support.
The staff was so prepared the family was amazed. I met the father and brother and took them straight to the SICU. Abroad, they had to wait 11 hours before they could see him after the accident. Here, they only had to wait about 1/2 hour for staff to get him settled into the unit before they were standing at the bedside. They were able to speak with the doctor right away, and also to his neurosurgery consult. I can't imagine a more perfect trail's end under the circumstances. His condition and the stressors for his family were almost too overwhelming from the get-go. Thanks to the very warm and friendly OSU staff and their commended expertise, the patient made enough progress for admission to the rehab hospital, albeit slow, but enough to show that he is "in there" and still with us.
After discussion with family members, and on behalf of the family, I would like to thank Beth Steinberg and her staff for providing such wonderful care and consideration. The patient and family received all the support and care needed and more as evidenced by the progress the patient has made.