The picture above is a photo Zentralklinik in Bad Berka. You can see that it is a large 500+ bed complex, but fortunately those seeking PRRT there will only have to be concerned with the main building and a few of the nearby buildings. Most of the buildings are connected by sheltered walkways.
Below is the main entrance.
When you enter the front entrance to the medical center you will be in the central lobby – a large atrium style space that is quite elegant.
From the lobby area you will see that ahead of you and to the right is a central Reception Area. This is where you go for the first step of your check-in process.
Go to the reception desk and give them your name and tell them you are there for Dr. Baum's treatment. Typically they have a file with your information prepared. They call your medical file your MAP.
The next area you will go to is the Finance Department/Cashier. It is located adjacent to the Reception Area. Patients are asked to make all financial arrangements as they check in to the Klinik. This means paying your bill ahead of time. See the section under Patient Info about Payment for Treatment for more details. Some people pay for their treatment ahead of time, but if you have done that, you will still need to sign some documents and do some paperwork at Finance before moving on.
There are other areas in and around the central lobby that you will become familiar with during your stay. Below are photos of some of those areas. Click here for the hours of business of the places below.
The Café / Espresso Bar, Mini-Market, Bookstore/Newstand and florist are all located in the lobby.
A short video on entering the Klink
Nuclear Medicine Ward
Those people who are at the Klinik to get PRRT will become quite familiar with the Nuclear Medicine Ward. This Ward is located on the Third Floor of the main building and we are told that the walls of the Ward are lead lined because of the radiation used there. There are numerous signs with directional arrows on getting to the Ward. This sign at the left is on the wall next to the elevator that takes you to the third floor. The nuclear medicine ward is the Isotopentherapie that is on D3 (in yellow on sign). It is located down the hall from the children's playroom.
What follows is a brief tour of the Nuclear Medicine Ward. For more info on this Ward, click here.
Doors leading into the Nuclear Medicine Ward
Inside the doors is a staff office area and adjacent to this is a small lounge area that has some books and even an exercise bike, if you are so inclined.
A short video on getting from the main lobby to the Nuclear Ward
Patient Rooms
Patient Rooms are very basic, but comfortable. Each room has a small eating area where meals can be taken. Each room has a cart with two types of water – mineral with carbonation and mineral without carbonation. The mineral without carbonation is more like the Evian brand that Americans are familiar with. Patients are instructed to drink from 3-5 liters of water per day once PRRT is administered. See the Patient Info section for more details.
As you can see above each room has two storage areas, one for each patient in the room. The storage area has some shelves for clothing and an area for storing small pieces of luggage such as a regulation size Rollie Bag. The bathroom (also above) is basic but is very functional.
This is a photo is of a patient in his room as he received his first PRRT in December of 2010. He has his IV hooked to the white box that dispenses the radionuclide for treatment. His blood pressure was continuously monitored during the treatment.
Each room has a private bathroom for the patients in that room. It is small, but has all the essentials. In addition, each bed has an entertainment station that includes a TV, radio and phone. All channels and stations are in German. This is another good reason to bring your computer, iPad/tablet or iPod for entertainment and communication as wifi access on the Ward is good, although you may need to ask the staff tfor the passcode to logon the system.
This is the scanning room. After a PRRT the patient is scanned at particular intervals to track the absorption of the isotope in the tumors. The scanning room is located near the entry doors to the Ward and the Nurses Station.
Other Areas in Medical Center
There are other areas of the medical center that the patient will visit in the course of being evaluated for PRRT or being restaged or evaluated for more PRRT.
PET/CT scan facility on second floor
This facility is located on the second floor of a building connected to the main building by a walkway. Below is a photo of the sign next to the door leading into the PET/CT scan area. Note button below the Nuclear Radiation sign. The button rings a bell that alerts staff members to come to the door.
Below is a photo of the PET/CT scanner that you will be using when you get your 68-Gallium PET/CT or FDG PET scan.
Right outside the doors leading into the scanning area is a waiting area with comfortable chairs and a small table or two. This is where the patient and friends/family with the patient can wait. See the section called Tests and Scans at the Zentralklinik for information about this area.
From the waiting area outside of the PET/CT facility you can look down on the lobby area of this building. It has a large lounge area for patients and visitors to relax.
Lounge on first floor beneath PET/CT facility.
Dr. Baum's Office area
A short way down the hall from the PET/CT scan area is Dr. Baum's office. During the day you can usually find Frau Cihar behind the office door.
Here is a short video about how to find your way around the klinik for tests.
Photo Credits: James M., Gary M., Josh M., Elisabeth W., John M.