Meet our new Nurse Practitioner!
March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day, and we're using this occasion to highlight an excellent team member. Laura has been a Nurse Practitioner with Mainline for over a year and is passionate about empowering patients to prioritize their health. The idea of getting an IV can be daunting to many people. We are conditioned to flee from pain or perceived danger. In this interview, Laura explains how she makes patients feel comfortable and safe about the IV process and why taking iron health seriously is essential.
Q. How long have you worked at Mainline?
A. 1.5 years
Q. Where did you work before Mainline? What's different about this role?
A. I previously worked at Urgent Care. The Mainline role is different because it's a relaxed setting where you can take time with your patients to teach, educate and empower them to advocate for their health.
Q. What part of the job do you enjoy the most?
A. The best part about this job is spending time with the patients and understanding their low iron journey story and seeing how excited they are to see improvements and finally start feeling better. The best part is when you get a repeat patient and they say how the iron infusion is life changing.
Q. Is there something that helps make patients feel less nervous about the IV process?
A. We take time to thoroughly explain the procedure and answer any questions.
Q. World Anemia Day just passed in February. Why do you think iron deficiency and anemia are such under-treated issues?
A. I think there are many reasons:
Lack of people who have primary care and therefore not getting screened until they feel very unwell and levels are low. A lot of people think they're just really tired. It's easy to mistake iron deficiency or anemia for something else.
Too often, women’s symptoms are misunderstood or downplayed as either no big deal, or unavoidable because we menstruate.
Our current testing for iron deficiency often leaves both doctors and patients confused as to whether or not they are actually iron deficient. There is a large variation in what is a "normal" iron level and this leaves many patients undertreated. Many patients can become symptomatic from iron deficiency before their bloodwork is flagged as "abnormal".
My advice is to listen to your body—the symptoms of iron deficiency and anemia worsen over time.
Q. When you have free time, what do you enjoy doing?
A. In my free time I enjoy exercising, cooking and trying new restaurants and spending time with my family, friends and partner. Travel and exploring new cultures are important to me, the goal is to try and get away somewhere new each year!
Thank you so much, Laura! We are grateful for all your contributions to Mainline.
International Women's Day March 8
The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is 'Inspire Inclusion'.
We forge a better world by inspiring others to understand and value women's inclusion.
And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.
Read more about a definition of what it means to inspire inclusion here.
About Mainline
Mainline’s mission is to offer fast, safe, friendly, and comfortable iron infusion services for patients and referring physicians across the Lower Mainland. By reducing wait-times and providing timely access, the Clinic aims to boost patient well-being and overall physical health while decreasing the burden placed on hospital infusion services.
Do you have questions about iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia? Email Mainline Wellness at info@mainlinewellness.ca
Do you think you might be iron deficient?
Here are some symptoms to look for:
Low energy
Chronic napping
Pale skin
Heavy or irregular periods
Cold hands and/or feet
Restless legs
If you experience any of these symptoms, you may have low iron or be anemic. Make an appointment with your health care provider to get your iron checked. Taking steps to treat iron deficiency and anemia is simple. If you have questions or wish to find out more about how an iron infusion may help to address iron deficiency and anemia, the team at Mainline Wellness is happy to help and can be reached by phone at 604-876-2344 or email at info@mainlinewellness.ca.
How Does Mainline Wellness Fit In?
At Mainline Wellness, we are focused on improving the awareness and understanding of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in Canada to help more patients get the help they need – preoperative or otherwise.
We are committed to offering safe, timely, and accessible ER physician and nurse supervised iron infusions. Speak to your healthcare provider to see if iron infusions may be helpful for you. Treatment can begin within one week.
I don't have a doctor but suspect I'm low iron, what do I do?
If you think you may be a candidate for IV iron but don't have a GP or your care provider is not comfortable referring for IV iron, request a consult with an independent specialist from Well Health. Our new referral system will help you with the access you need.
Our Locations
Vancouver
672 Leg in Boot Square
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4B4
by Appointment Only
Phone: 604-876-2344
Mainline Vancouver is accessible by pedestrian traffic only. Street parking is available nearby, and parking lots are accessible from these streets:
- Cambie Street (7 minute walk)
- 2nd Ave (3 minute walk)
- Moberly Road (1 minute walk)
Surrey - Now Open!
Suite 301, 9639 137A Street
City Center 2 Surrey, BC V3T 0M1
by Appointment Only
Phone: 604-900-7007 Ext. 100
Mainline Surrey is located in City Centre 2, immediately adjacent to City Centre 1 at the heart of the Health and Technology District in Surrey, British Columbia. We are on the 3rd floor, Suite 301, within iScope.
Patient Safety
Our clinic is run according to the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons Class 3 Facility Safety and Equipment guidelines.
All clinical staff have active Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and years of experience working in urban emergency departments.