Stenum Hospital and Dr. Ritter-Lang

[dagmountain]

Kathleen I'll let them know you said hi and that you are really excited to see them on the 27th. I HOPE that you get that approval, that would be awesome! From what I've heard the military has pretty good insurance.

@Katie-

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope your feeling better from your trip to Brazil. I kind of wish Stenum was in Brazil, I've always wanted to go there.

[WPKat]

Kathleen I'll let them know you said hi and that you are really excited to see them on the 27th. I HOPE that you get that approval, that would be awesome! From what I've heard the military has pretty good insurance.

If it's a run of the mill medical issue, I agree, it's really awesome. I've seen some nice, extraordinary doctors on base. The most detailed MRI that I received came from the base, which helped me research the terms and get a better ideal on what was wrong with my back. I made a point to ask my primary care doctor yesterday to pass on the compliment to the radiologist.

On the flip side, when you have a complicated medical problem that sends you to a specialist, then you either get a doctor fresh out of medical school or you have to go off base. Because the insurance pays so poorly your options are then slim to none. I had a choice between two neuosurgeons, both from the same office.

I'm not complaining though because my insurance is still better than Medicaid. At last count, there are only 4 doctors (not specialists) in Alaska that take it. I am definately counting my blessings.

I seriously doubt my insurance will pay any part of my ADR surgery ... but miracles happen every day

Thanks for letting them know I am excited to see them on May 27th. They see so many patients, they might not know who I am ... but they probably don't have too many from Alaska.

Danke,

Kathleen

[Susie]

UPDATE: Thanks to Jim or whomever is lurking these forums and reporting back to Stenum. I was able to meet Dr. Ritter-lang before I departed Bremen. Stenum phoned my hotel room and offered to have me come in on the Friday following my surgery to meet w/ the doctor after he was done w/ that week's surgery. I guess it was obvious that I was unhappy not having met my surgeon, so kudos to Stenum for trying to make it right and have me leave on a good note. I completed my final check-up and paperwork at the same time b/c I didn't want to make the trip back to Stenum twice (just to avoid 2x more 30 min cab rides). Malte was very accommodating and got my paperwork together on a few hours notice, and after waiting about 2 hours for surgery to finish, I had a ~10 minute discussion of my post-op X-rays w/ Ritter-Lang. He is a very nice man, and was able to answer my technical questions with great detail - a post-op discussion with him completely put my mind at ease. The funny thing was how Malte (and Ritter-Lang) both emphasized that it was nice for me to be able to meet him "again" - although I didn't count the first meeting since I don't recall being conscious. Anyway, whatever... it's done and I'm content. The point is that R-L is an excellent surgeon and really is very pleasant to speak with. I'm glad I finally got the opportunity.

In response to the issue regarding Dr. Ritter-Lang not meeting patients. He is the lead surgeon on all disc replacement procedures, but he lives in Berlin and travels to several hospitals due to the huge demand for his expertise. Most of the time he has little time to meet with patients due to this busy schedule. As the number of patients going to Stenum in Bremen increased the travel became more of an issue. To improve on this and other issues the surgeries for American patients will now be done in Berlin. This will allow Dr. Ritter-Lang to have more patient contact and manage the aftercare closely. Several American surgeries have been done using the Berlin facility and everyone agrees this is an improvement.

[WPKat]

In response to the issue regarding Dr. Ritter-Lang not meeting patients. He is the lead surgeon on all disc replacement procedures, but he lives in Berlin and travels to several hospitals due to the huge demand for his expertise. Most of the time he has little time to meet with patients due to this busy schedule. As the number of patients going to Stenum in Bremen increased the travel became more of an issue. To improve on this and other issues the surgeries for American patients will now be done in Berlin. This will allow Dr. Ritter-Lang to have more patient contact and manage the aftercare closely. Several American surgeries have been done using the Berlin facility and everyone agrees this is an improvement.

Susie,

I really think it is absolutely wonderful the Dr. Ritter-Lang, and his team, care so much for their patients that feedback is actually taken into consideration and adjustments are made so patients receive the best care possible ... WOW, what a concept!



From my own surgical experience, no one asked for feedback. There was virtually ZERO after care, which caused several completely unnecessary problems. When my surgery failed and I was still in a boat load of pain, my surgeon very matter-of-factly said he only performed surgery, pain management was someone elses job ... I left stunned and speechless. All I could think of was ... what do I do now?

But not wanting to live a life confined to the four walls of my home on a continual regiment of all sorts of pain and nerve medications, I refused to give up on life ... because honestly, exactly how much real living am I able to do now? It took a LOT of research and persistance on my part before my concerns were taken seriously here, and an entire year later, I finally discovered why I am still in so much pain. All I can say is shame on him for not taking the time to find out why long before now.

In sharp contrast to my experience here, Stenum took my case seriously and provided a solution for me. Even though I know they have to be extremely busy, they have answered all my questions and have treated me with the utmost respect. I give everyone at Stenum my heart felt thanks for treating me like a human being and not a number!!

I am very excited to meet them next month and to undergo double lumbar artificial disc replacement in Berlin!

Thanks, Susie, for bringing up the recent changes at Stenum!



K

[Fuzzy]

My biggest concern was with personally seeing the surgeon before, during ,(!) and after the surgery. At Stenum i had the impression that this might not happen. When I went to ProSpine it also was in the works that I would not meet the surgeon but his assistant so I insisted to see the surgeon before hand to discuss my case and any concerns and this was handled seriously and it seems that this is a righ the patient has (in Germany?) so I got to discuss with Dr. Bertagnoly 3 times and let him of the hock on the follow up. The preop discussion was very very important. I would never do it another way. After my lumbar surgery my surgeon visited me in my room the first to days and then I saw him again a week later.
If this is not how it is handled at Stenum then I would say it is a must to revamp the workflow or travel schedule to accomodate to make this possible.

[Susie]

Dear Fuzzy,
There have been many improvements for patient care with Dr. Ritter-Lang and his International Patients. They now see him more often, pre, intra, post and prior to departure. I too believe this is very important as a patient-where ever we are.
Best regards,
Susie

My biggest concern was with personally seeing the surgeon before, during ,(!) and after the surgery. At Stenum i had the impression that this might not happen. When I went to ProSpine it also was in the works that I would not meet the surgeon but his assistant so I insisted to see the surgeon before hand to discuss my case and any concerns and this was handled seriously and it seems that this is a righ the patient has (in Germany?) so I got to discuss with Dr. Bertagnoly 3 times and let him of the hock on the follow up. The preop discussion was very very important. I would never do it another way. After my lumbar surgery my surgeon visited me in my room the first to days and then I saw him again a week later.
If this is not how it is handled at Stenum then I would say it is a must to revamp the workflow or travel schedule to accomodate to make this possible.