Zio iRhythm Technologies

Both my husband and I worked in health care for many years - he as a surgeon; me as a nurse - mostly in administration. We both visited our cardiologist yesterday - he for tachycardia; me for another abnormal EKG. In the old days there used to be halter monitors that you would wear for a week or so to check for arrhythmias. It was like wearing a purse attached to many wires that were attached to patches on the skin. It was clunky, but that was the technology back then. So the cardiologist wanted to monitor my husband’s heart rhythm for a week. What he was set up with is so much nicer than the old days. It’s a patch that is worn on the skin on the left side of the chest. You can wear the patch in the shower, just not swimming. If you notice any palpitations or tachycardia, you push the button and will hear a click. Whatever is going on gets recorded and there is a diary you fill in that describes what is happening during the event. You can write in the journal, on the website, or the app called “myzio.” We downloaded the app and entered the serial number on his device. When the week is done, you take off the patch, stick it in the booklet, and mail it all to iRhythm Technologies somewhere in Illinois for interpretation. The results are then sent to the doctor who then determines any next steps. So far my husband has not needed to push the button or make any comments. I’m hoping he will never have to. It’s just amazing how medicine and nursing have changed since we were practicing. It’s so much easier all the way around. 

A Visit to the Cardiologist

I had an abnormal EKG - again - and my husband had tachycardia and was in the emergency room a week ago. So I made a non emergency appointment for myself on Wednesday using ZocDoc, and my husband made a semi urgent appointment by phone for Monday. We left early enough to make our way to the CardioCare office located downtown and arrived a little early. From the beginning to the end of the visit, it was a very pleasant experience. We were immediately put in to a room - no waiting in the wait room. The office itself was very sterile - but in a welcoming and clean way. It would be better described as very sleek and modern. I then asked if it would be at all possible if I could be seen today rather than having to come back on Wednesday - fully prepared to be told “no” given the typical Washington response we get. But that was not the case. We each sat comfortably in the chairs adjoining the exam room and completed our information on line using an iPad of sorts. Dr. Sanai is everything my husband was when he practiced medicine - warm, light hearted, and extremely confident. He has a way about him that few people do.  And every word was transcribed on to the laptop during the interview. All I can say is we were extremely pleased with the total experience - including the staff that fitted my husband with a modern day halter monitor. We would highly recommend Dr. Sanai to anyone with a cardiac issue. It makes us feel good to know there are really nice and competent physicians in Washington. It felt like we were back in Milwaukee with our close friends and colleagues. Aside from the typically annoying downtown garage parking, it couldn’t have been any better. 

Sibley Emergency Room

When we lived in the Midwest both my husband and I were comfortable knowing all the health care facilities and care givers. It made a bad situation so much easier. But when we moved to DC, nobody knows my husband was a surgeon, and I was a nurse. And it is hell getting around this town for whatever appointment you make. And depending on the time of day, it can be even worse. So when my husband was having sustained tachycardia, we knew he needed to get evaluated - the urgent care center wouldn’t do. So the emergency room at Sibley is our hospital of choice. We both dislike the huge medical centers that are closer to us. Sibley is a lot like the neighborhood hospital we liked. Going to any emergency room is a long and drawn out process but we have generally had good experience with Sibley. We were in and out within five hours, and luckily it was not a traumatic event. At least we are familiar with this type of environment and understand what is going on. Any time this sort of thing happens makes one pause about everything around you. It’s tough being on the other side of the bed.