How was your experience with Elizabeth Constance at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Constance was pleasant and compassionate in my few interactions with her. At the initial consultation she explained the process well and was able and willing to answer the many questions I had. Following the initial consultation, the monitoring and the actual insemination process lacked in communication as we did not communicate unless there was a serious health issue that required action prior to the IUI. Following an incident where concerns were voiced about a lack of communication between the clinical staff and MD that resulted in an IUI being performed that should have been canceled communication improved and protocols were reviewed with the staff in efforts to avoid similar events in the future, though I did not feel satisfied as I had to ultimately bear the physical and financial burden that should have been avoided. After multiple failed IUIs that showed lack of progress and revisions of treatment to improve existing problems contributing to failed cycles I have made the decision to undergo further treatment with another RE at a different clinic.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Elizabeth Constance at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine?
Educate yourself concerning the ultrasound and lab results that indicate when a treatment should be performed and when it should be canceled in efforts to advocate for yourself. Speak up and request communication concerning treatment schedules with the MD herself and ask detailed questions ti increase your chance for a successful cycle.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Elizabeth Constance at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine?
While receiving treatment under the care of Dr. Constance our first meeting was pleasant and I felt she listened to all of my concerns and addressed any questions that I had leaving me feeling very optimistic. Following the first appointment and initial consultation contact with the MD diminished and I started to feel more like a number rather than a human. Throughout the various IUI cycles I had little to no contact with her and only received communication in person and by phone with the nurses and ultrasound techs at the clinic. While undergoing the various cycles of IUI there were times that communication lacked between the clinical staff performing the monitoring and the MD that I felt resulted in IUI cycles being performed that should have been canceled based on ultrasound and lab results that indicated high risk for failure. While communication after voiced concerns improved and were supposedly addressed, the events that occurred led to multiple failed IUIs and financial burdens to the patient that could have potentially been avoided.
Describe the protocols Elizabeth Constance used in your cycles at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
First failed IUI cycle resulted in 1 follicle and involved Femara 5mg cycle days 3-7 with ultrasound and lab monitoring + Ovidrel trigger 72 hours prior to insemination on cycle day 13; Second failed IUI cycle resulted in 1 follicle and involved Femara 5mg cycle days 3-7 with ultrasound and lab monitoring + Ovidrel trigger 72 hours prior to insemination on cycle day 14; Third failed IUI cycle resulted in ovarian hyper-stimulation with 20+ follicles requiring a very traumatizing and painful procedure to reduce the number of follicles and involved Femara 5mg cycle days 3-7, Gonal-F 75 IU cycle days 5-9 with ultrasound and lab monitoring + Ovidrel trigger 72 hours prior to insemination on cycle day 13; Fourth failed IUI cycle resulted in 3 follicles and involved Femara 5mg cycle days 3-7, Gonal-F 37.5 IU cycle days 9-11 with ultrasound and lab monitoring + Ovidrel trigger 72 hours prior to insemination on cycle day 13
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Throughout treatment I was seen by multiple members of the nursing staff and had different experiences with each. Two members of the staff seemed very educated and competent in their profession and were able to explain ultrasound and lab results well, while others knew how to perform the task but were unable to explain the results in an appropriate manner. The staff lacked the ability to advocate for the patient and often made me feel like a number which I felt ultimately contributed to multiple failed IUI cycles. The lab techs were amazing!
Describe your experience with Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Strengths: welcoming environment; on-time appointments/short wait times
Weaknesses: Communication between clinical staff and MDs; Communication and face-to-face interaction between MDs and patients; structured treatment guidelines/protocols; Revised treatment protocols after failed cycles; cost of procedures; clinic hours of operation-closed at 3, closed on the weekends unless scheduled treatment; no patient portal or access to lab results; no contact information for MDs i.e. email or phone; nurses line always went to voicemail; no reimbursement for failed cycles due to lack of communication and lack of adherence to proper protocol; lack of protocols/guidelines to providing effective treatment
Describe the costs associated with your care under Elizabeth Constance at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Cost Per IUI Cycle: Monitoring - Ultrasounds 3-4 visits + Lab work 2 visits + IUI + procedure/sperm washing = $1500; Pharmaceuticals - Femara: $6.80 + gonal-f shots $150-350 + Ovidrel Trigger $110
Describe Elizabeth Constance's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine.
N/A...There was no embryo transfer only artificial insemination
What specific things went wrong at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine?
- Failed to order appropriate test
- Provided conflicting information
- Failed to convey critical information
- Failed to consider drug intolerance
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine.
*Clinical staff failed to communicate monitoring results to MD which resulted in a IUI cycle being performed that should have been canceled and ultimately caused a failed IUI and extravagant cost that should not have been incurred.
*MD failed to prescribe appropriate medications that enabled the greatest potential for successful treatment outcomes.
* Clinic lacked specific guidelines/protocols for performed procedures that enabled the greatest potential for successful treatment outcomes.
* Clinic failed to prescribe treatment individualized to the specific patient and utilize medical history to create and implement a plan of care that provided the greatest potential for successful treatment outcomes.