What's it like in the VIP wing of a hospital?

[marienm, RN, CCRN]

Current events have made me wonder: What's it like to work on a VIP unit? I'm not looking for celebrity/VIP gossip here, and of course no one should compromise security protocols, but has anyone done it? It it, like 1:1 nursing no matter the patient's acuity? What happens if you, say, blow the VIP's IV? Does security clear the halls if the VIP needs to go to MRI, or is there a special VIP MRI suite? Is there a separate kitchen for security purposes with a private chef? I assume you need security clearance if the VIP is a head of state, but is someone watching your every move as you put in a foley?

Indulge my curiosity!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Here's a look at  Hospital of Univ. of Pennsylvania's  "Penn Signature Services"   5 bed unit with 1RN --private duty available for extra cost.

Quote

The Pavilion at the University of Pennsylvania is a deluxe, 5-bed inpatient unit that offers amenities usually found at deluxe hotels. In addition to advanced, comprehensive health care, we offer a level of personalized service and comfort unique to any other hospital in the region.

Individual Room: $525/night

The Pavilion Services and Amenities

As a patient in Penn's Pavilion, you can expect:

• Express check-in and check-out
• A private room with soothing earth-toned fabrics, furnishings with a comfortable lounge chair
• Amenities such as fine linens, a plush robe, boutique toiletries and a refrigerator stocked for your personal preferences
• A variety of gourmet meals served on fine china
• A concierge to assist you in scheduling personal services
• Cable TV, wired and wireless computer service, daily newspaper and an in-room safe
• A Family-Business Center where you can conduct business matters as well as visit with your family
• Afternoon tea
• Free parking on day of discharge

Personal Services

To ensure your comfort, these services and amenities are available to you at an additional cost. Please ask your concierge for details and current pricing.

•  Meals for guests and family members
• Meals upon discharge
• Plush robes
• Private duty nursing
• Salon services
• Transportation services

[Sour Lemon]

On 10/4/2020 at 3:48 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Here's a look at  Hospital of Univ. of Pennsylvania's  "Penn Signature Services"   5 bed unit with 1RN --private duty available for extra cost. 

This is REALLY funny to me for some reason.

[marienm, RN, CCRN]

I think I expected a better-than 1:5 ratio, that's for sure! Maybe everyone opts for PDN anyway. 

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

43 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

This is REALLY funny to me for some reason.

The "afternoon tea" made me giggle ?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

One of my early home health cases  in late 80's was private duty for a multimillionare who had surgery, pulled out his ET tube requiring trach, agency called me to staff case the afternoon when transferred to a step-down unit, so first RN with him as family afraid he'd pull out trach--never happened thankfully. Sweet man of few words.

We later found  that trach cartilage cut accidentally so  permanent trach, no oxygen needed.  He hired us for 24/7 care as didn't want to learn trach care and accompanied him everywhere post hospital discharge.  I coordinated his nursing team for several years. He lived in a mansion --set up 2nd floor bedroom for him with Hospital bed, respiratory equipment in cabinet next to bed,  comfy chair for RN's across the room to sit and observe.   RN's had separate room if he needed privacy.  His long time secretary moved into 3rd floor as wife had died 5 yrs prior, later married her.

Mostly retired,  all respiratory care timed to center around his activities. Chairman of the board of an auto manufacturer, board meetings  were scheduled in afternoons in his opulent dinning room- trach care done 30 min prior.  Working mostly middle and nights, I accompanied him 2 days week to his Country Club for dinner (gotta keep up appearances);  in Summer water walked with him at Country Club  pool --passey muir on trach  (Secretary in front,  me in back to catch him if he fell, never did).  Coat closet good place to suction if needed.  

He was hospitalized 2x over 8 yrs I cared for him. We  RN's were allowed into ICU acting as PCA/family companion and medical liaison to family.   He trusted us implicitly, all MD healthcare decisions  run past us to see if we agreed! That's my insight caring for a VIP outside hospital..

[amoLucia]

What! No chocolates on the pillows and bouquets of roses!

I don't know how any of you others feel about those U of P Signature Services, but I find them rather offensive. It just rubs me the wrong way. It bespeaks to me that the Hospital responds to  2 classes of pts - the highly revered privileged ones and then, everybody else. 

I firmly believe 'rank doth have its privileges' as this can be seen in that only the wealthy could afford those extras. Kind of like how all the highly paid athletes are being C19-tested so freq. We don't see them waiting in any lines to be tested!

I know there's always been some special VIP services in all hospitals for 'special' pts like families of physicians & hosp admins, local politicians, semi famous celebrities, etc. Some special services were provided, but not so 'over-the-top' as U of P's. Personally, I think it's obscene, and to be honest, it has lowered my opinion of the facility's reputation. It has long been highly respected for its excellent clinical services, but now ... (And I'm local to U of P.)

Maybe it's just me ...

[MunoRN, RN]

I would have guessed the upcharge would be way more than $525, since the base room charge in hospitals typically ranges from just under $2000 to more than $5000 for an ICU patient per day.  

Even the more 'ethically-challenged' organizations I've worked for find this practice too unethical to engage in.  When we do get well-to-do patients who ask how they can upgrade their service, usually when coming in for an elective surgery, we point out that they can donate to programs that improve the hospital environment, but that these programs are for everyone's benefit.  It's the grade school premise of 'if you're going to chew gum in class you have to bring some for everyone' applied to a hospital.  

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

One place I worked had a suite of rooms. I think I even worked there one shift (wow, how the memory fades). Separate menu, and people could also I think order anything they wanted.  Another place has some special blankets and slippers, separate menu. Some rooms are larger with chairs/sleepers. Some special special VIPs would have their security in or outside their room (usually fancier looking than the security for the handcuffed to bed VIPs)...

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

PENN Health/Hosp. of Univ of Pennsylvania (HUP) has growing clientele from overseas Princes and Kings coming for care along with star entertainers desiring privacy--- thusly unit created per newspaper reports few years ago when unit created.

Penn tore down the multistory hotel across the street for a new tower --been building the 4 years taking my DH to docs there (get last appointment to avoid construction gridlock).

"The Pavilion will house 500 private patient rooms and 47 operating rooms in a 1.5 million square foot, 17-story facility across from the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and adjacent to the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine."

  They sped up construction  some floors ready due to COVID ; have 120 rooms available if needed (PENN had 300 COVID patients/day in 4 hospitals in the beginning epidemic --turned patients away, down now to 30/day).   Outside hospital my husband was in August 2019, tried unsuccessfully to transfer him x 4 days to HUP- no ICU/telemetry beds available.  They hope to be fully open in 2021. 

The Pavilion: Distinguishing Features

Quote

• An adaptable room concept through which patient rooms are equipped to flex between an intensive care unit set-up, if needed, and a standard room as patients recover, or as the patient population and caregiving needs change in the coming years. Each spacious room will include a private bath and a comfortable area for family members and caregivers to stay close by.
• A seamless flow of operations – from the emergency department through hybrid operating rooms used for both surgeries and high-tech interventional procedures through recovery and discharge – enhanced by technology and the latest research on how to facilitate and improve care team collaboration.
• Telemedicine functionality that allows remote monitoring and consultations, as well as technology to link patients to their friends and families at all times. In-room technology will strengthen communication between patients, families, and care teams.
• An eco-friendly construction, design and operations plan that fortifies Penn’s commitment to the environment, through pursuit of LEED certification, and innovations like the re-use of water, 100 percent outside air, and park-like, outdoor green space for patients, families and staff.

Meanwhile, the 100 year old Mercy Philadelphia Hospital licensed for 157 beds 20 blocks away, originally announced closure earlier this year due to primarily Medicare and Medicaid patient population making business unsustainable; ED averaged 45,000+ visits/yr --which fed inpatient units.

I started my nursing career there in 1977, spent 15 great years learning Respiratory/Telemetry nursing, later moving to their home care.  Was devastated that this safety-net hospital closing as city already lost 500 bed Hahnemann in June 2019.   Fortunately, community non-profits stepped in to buy facility with PENN to run ED and 40 to 60 inpatient beds

Mercy Philadelphia Hospital has new lease on life through Penn Medicine and other nonprofits

[amoLucia]

I think we've all seen some special amenities at places we've worked. Yeah, somethings ritzy. But to publish it !?!?!?!

Had a co-student from school 1970s. Worked in VERY elite area as an LPN and she had had some very, very VIP pts. Never revealed anything except to say, "they had holes in their underwear too".

[londonflo]

 

We had someone from the governor's family coming in for elective surgery. All new paint and new hospital bed. I had had a family member in the room the week before and the paint looked fine!