Outstanding medical staff, but facilities and one unprofessional nurse left room for improvement…read more
My wife Nikki and I recently had a 4-day stay at Stanford Tri-Valley to welcome our first child, our daughter Oraya Rose. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly accommodating, starting with Jeanette at the front desk who gave us a warm welcome and a smooth check-in.
The Medical & Nursing Team
We cannot say enough good things about our doctors. Dr. Veeragandham (our delivering doctor) and Dr. Chandler (who cared for my wife in the days prior) were the most comforting and phenomenal doctors we've ever experienced. You can truly tell they care deeply about their jobs and their patients. Dr. Sanders, who discharged us, was also fantastic; he kindly expedited our release knowing we were exhausted from the small post-labor room and just wanted to head home.
Throughout our long stay, we were supported by an army of wonderful nurses who checked in frequently to ensure we had a pleasant stay. We want to thank Kelly, Michelle, Chayenne, Stacia, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Maddie, Tricia, Deanna, Liz, Rachelle, Noelle, and Ranjita. We also want to give a special shoutout to Aaliyah, who was immensely helpful with my wife's labor exercises early on.
Our absolute standout was our delivering nurse, Shinika (who we understand is a traveling nurse). She is a tremendous asset to the Stanford team! Her guidance and support were instrumental--she coached my wife so well that she was able to push the baby out in under 35 minutes.
Constructive Feedback & Areas for Improvement
Unfortunately, we did have a highly negative interaction with another nurse, Jen, who was in the room during delivery. There was palpable tension and attitude from Jen directed at Shinika. Even worse, while my wife was actively pushing, Jen abruptly announced, "The baby's heart rate is dropping." This caught us completely off guard, caused unnecessary panic, and disrupted my wife's focus.
Thankfully, Shinika and Dr. Veeragandham immediately reassured us that everything was fine, and even the other staff in the room looked at Jen in confusion regarding what she was doing. We brought this up to the Assistant Nurse Manager, Joseph, but I am reiterating it here so Jen can be properly trained. If there is an urgent matter, it needs to be communicated professionally with the doctor, not blurted out to terrify a mother actively pushing out a baby.
Facilities & Amenities
The rooms were okay, but felt outdated and small compared to LPCH. Additionally, we were promised a celebratory meal once the baby was born, but we never received it. We were really looking forward to that after such a long and grueling hospital stay.
Another suggestion for the hospital would be to add a community kitchen or hydration station for families. We felt terrible repeatedly asking the busy nurses for water and snacks. We didn't want to treat the medical staff like room service knowing they have far more important duties, so it got to the point where I just left the hospital to buy supplies at a store.
Overall, the incredible medical care and nursing support made our experience a positive one despite the hiccups. Thank you to Dr. Veeragandham, Shinika, and the rest of the amazing team for bringing our daughter safely into the world! In the future, however, we will likely aim for a delivery at LPCH for a more modern feel and comfortable space within the same network.