Family of pediatric patient experiences family-centered care at Ridgeview

'The nurses treated us like family'

Our 5-month-old daughter, Isla, developed a cough on a Friday afternoon in January. She did well throughout the weekend, until Sunday evening when we noticed she had difficulty breathing and her heart was racing. On Monday morning, we took her to urgent care in Arlington, where we learned her oxygen level was concerningly low. We were referred to Ridgeview’s Emergency Department in Waconia for further evaluation and were later admitted to the Pediatric Limited-Stay Unit for supportive care, including oxygen therapy.

Isla tested positive for COVID-19 and RSV. As an infant, this put her at increased risk for a severe RSV infection.

We would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff who cared for our daughter. From the start, our admitting nurse reviewed what to expect and made sure my husband and I were comfortable. Throughout our stay she would occasionally stop by to see how we were doing.

Isla’s primary nurse also provided extraordinary care and was a huge advocate for our daughter. At home, we use formula and donor milk — it was unexpected and absolutely amazing that Ridgeview was able to provide Isla with donor milk during her stay.

Our Ridgeview experience came full circle when two of the night-shift nurses remembered our family from when Isla was born — one of them was even Isla’s nurse while she received care in the NICU.

Seeing consistent and familiar faces made our time at Ridgeview so much easier. When I tell you that all the nurses treated us like family, I really mean it. They were absolutely fantastic.

Thank you to everyone involved in Isla’s care — she truly was in the best place possible and received the best care.

-Kelly & Greg Drewiske, Arlington

Learn more about Ridgeview's Pediatric Limited Stay Unit