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Hospital has special suites for VIP guests
The rich and famous can find refuge in the VIP suites at Mary Washington Hospital
Date published: 4/25/2007
BY JIM HALL When the rich and famous need medical care, Mary Washington Hospital can offer them the security and privacy of a VIP suite. The Fredericksburg hospital has two suites that resemble the bedroom and living room combination that a traveler might find in a fine hotel. Hospital officials, citing security reasons, are hesitant to say much about the suites. They would not permit a tour or photograph of the rooms. They also would not discuss the notables who have used the rooms. And they asked that their exact location not be included in this story. "We don't want people going around looking for them," said Mahogany Hart, hospital spokeswoman. The suites are used for patients "whose presence in the hospital may be disruptive to the other patients," Hart said. This could be notables who receive lots of visitors, or someone who has been assaulted and needs protection from an attacker. "Or if there is an entourage around a patient, there's a place to put those folks and keep them away from the other patients," said Dr. J. Thomas Ryan, vice president for medical affairs. A doctor or nursing supervisor makes the decision to place a patient in the VIP suites. The hospital does not charge extra for the rooms. The two suites were created several years ago for the open-heart surgery program, Hart said. They're used to help patients transition to home following a bypass operation, hence their official title: cardiac step-down rehab rooms. Cardiac patients are the most frequent users of the suites, said Kathleen Allenbaugh, hospital spokeswoman. The number of other patients who use the rooms is "very low," she said. The suites were formed by combining two standard hospital rooms. One portion of the suite resembles a patient room. The other portion resembles a family room, where patients can practice the skills of daily living, such as getting up from a couch, Hart said. Most medium-to-large hospitals in urban and suburban settings have VIP suites, said Rick Wade, senior vice president for the American Hospital Association. The wealthy often ask for the extra amenities and are willing to pay for them, Wade said. Also, a hospital never knows who might show up at its emergency room. Said Wade: "If Dick Cheney happened to drive down to Fredericksburg to address the commencement at Mary Washington College, and had a little heart flutter, where do you think he would go?" Jim Hall: 540/374-5433Email: jhall@freelancestar.com
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 4/25/2007
Nothing Special About These Rooms...
(posted by
AndiRN
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I used to work on this unit at MWH and had to laugh when I read this article. Yes the "VIP suites" are nicer than the standard room with its carpet and window treatments but other than that they are definitely nothing special. It would be nice as a pt to stay in these rooms but I don't think they deserve an article in the FLS. These rooms were originally designed to transition our open heart pts from the hospital to the home setting. I wonder what Dr. Armitage thinks about this article.
I have no problem
(posted by
homegrown
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
with the room being used for extra space when there is a shortage of beds (patrick4hp). On the other hand, the 2nd room also should be available for overflow. Anything beats waiting on a stretcher in the hall. Sorry to be so cranky, but I feel taxed-out, insuranced-out, put-out by any agenda of favors that are ultimately coming out of my pocket. Re the "class war," favors work both ways, for the have-nots as well as the haves. It's the middle class that gets stuck with the bill.
Jealous?
(posted by
homegrown
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
Of an additional, ugly, uncomfortable hospital room to house my "entourage?" Hardly. The point is not what the rooms look like or what they are used for. If a patient needs 2 rooms, his insurance should be billed. If a patient wants 2 rooms, his expense should be out-of-pocket. Is anyone aware of current room rates???
calm down
(posted by
Katie
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
good grief people quit acting so jealous! these patient rooms are RARELY used for what the paper is writing about. They ARE used for the special patient population they were made for. AND they are well deserved and contrary to the first comment they are wonderful for the patient and visitors.
Geez, what a reaction
(posted by
patrick4hp
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
My dad was in Mary Washington Hospital in one of these rooms. He was a Medicare patient, and I think the reason we were given the room is because nowhere else was available on that day. After his surgery, he was transferred out to another room. Frankly, the writer of this story is embellishing. The room is not VIP, and the story says some are in there for their safety from others. I am glad MWH has made the right decision to keep these rooms for all, unlike Fairfax Hospital, where you can upgrade.
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