Will Thai hospitals exchange patients data in an emergency?

[OneMoreFarang]

I just called the international department of "my" hospital and asked them about my records. I asked if I can have them on CD or paper. The were friendly but it seems they are not used to this. They told me they will call me back. I will go there anyhow for a follow up visit next week. Let's look what they have. I will report it here.

 

[scubascuba3]

It's strange how you hear reports that hospitals have provided patient history to insurance companies without permission but won't give to other hospitals with permission

[ThaidDown]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's strange how you hear reports that hospitals have provided patient history to insurance companies without permission but won't give to other hospitals with permission

When you apply for medical insurance you often do give permission to the insurance co. to make checks.

Read the small print and terms and conditions before you sign.

 

[Sheryl]

11 minutes ago, ThaidDown said:

When you apply for medical insurance you often do give permission to the insurance co. to make checks.

Read the small print and terms and conditions before you sign.

 

You also usually sign something at the hospital when admitted or requesting them to bill your insurance which authorizes them to release info to the insurer. Without this there would be no way hospital could be directly reimbursed by insurer as this requires the submission of considerable amount of information on your condition, treatment etc.

[ignis]

4 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

OP is a diabetic. I suggest he carry the info on you or join Medic Alert. (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Cyprus, Iceland, UK, South Africa & USA all have their own units.) Medic Alert has wrist bands or necklaces that provide a contact number and yes, admitting clerks (in the larger hospitals) are trained to look for the  items on farangs who are brought in in an unresponsive state. Typically an inventory is taken of a patient, so the medic alert will be  found.

Not so sure about that......

 

I wore for years a SOS emergency Medical ID round my neck with two metal halves which screw together to form a waterproof locket.

 

I asked a number of Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals here if they would look for it, the answer was the same NO..  if they noticed it would have NO idea that you had to unscrew it to read the very long list folded many times inside...  

 

I have lots of alleges [the most important ones are Tetanus + Penicillin] + Diabetic, blood pressure problems + Sage 3 - 4 Kidney. had a stroke, Cateraces and so on...   

Not sure here but in Europe if you had a accident it is normal to be given a Tetanus jab ..

 

Asked Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals if they would look for a wallet, answer was YES to  see if you had i.d. + a medical i.d. or insurance card.

 

I carry my Thai Drivers License + Hospital photo i.d card + in the same laminated card on the back some of these alleges + problems.. + on my smartphone is a Emergency Alert, should send a Ambulance.......  but would anyone look if I was unresponsive  ??

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, ignis said:

Not so sure about that......

 

I wore for years a SOS emergency Medical ID round my neck with two metal halves which screw together to form a waterproof locket.

 

I asked a number of Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals here if they would look for it, the answer was the same NO..  if they noticed it would have NO idea that you had to unscrew it to read the very long list folded many times inside...  

 

I have lots of alleges [the most important ones are Tetanus + Penicillin] + Diabetic, blood pressure problems + Sage 3 - 4 Kidney. had a stroke, Cateraces and so on...   

Not sure here but in Europe if you had a accident it is normal to be given a Tetanus jab ..

 

Asked Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals if they would look for a wallet, answer was YES to  see if you had i.d. + a medical i.d. or insurance card.

 

I carry my Thai Drivers License + Hospital photo i.d card + in the same laminated card on the back some of these alleges + problems.. + on my smartphone is a Emergency Alert, should send a Ambulance.......  but would anyone look if I was unresponsive  ??

 

It is unfortunately true that in Thailand they are unaccustomed to Medical Alert  bracelets and the like. Would not look for it and also would not usually know what it was if they found it.

 

The "system" such as it is here is to really on family members to supply and needed info. This is not as impractical here as it would be in the west since it is rare for Thais to live alone or for that matter go much of anywhere alone.

[Speedo1968]

3 hours ago, ignis said:

Not so sure about that......

 

I wore for years a SOS emergency Medical ID round my neck with two metal halves which screw together to form a waterproof locket.

 

I asked a number of Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals here if they would look for it, the answer was the same NO..  if they noticed it would have NO idea that you had to unscrew it to read the very long list folded many times inside...  

 

I have lots of alleges [the most important ones are Tetanus + Penicillin] + Diabetic, blood pressure problems + Sage 3 - 4 Kidney. had a stroke, Cateraces and so on...   

Not sure here but in Europe if you had a accident it is normal to be given a Tetanus jab ..

 

Asked Emergency Nurses and Dr in different Hospitals if they would look for a wallet, answer was YES to  see if you had i.d. + a medical i.d. or insurance card.

 

I carry my Thai Drivers License + Hospital photo i.d card + in the same laminated card on the back some of these alleges + problems.. + on my smartphone is a Emergency Alert, should send a Ambulance.......  but would anyone look if I was unresponsive  ??

I carry my passport ( sometimes a copy ) and list of allergies ( A4 size paper folded ) in same see through plastic bag.    The allergy list ( which also shows meds I have been given but were not allergic to and what the treatment was for) has a big green cross on it.    Obviously contact numbers are included.
With a cataract op last month I showed the list to the doctor and she found alternatives to the antibiotics normally used, 3 different ones.    I had a mild but noticeable response to 2 of them ( numbness of face and mouth ), I put up with it as I was told there were no alternatives.

 

Don't give up carrying vital medical info with you - it could save your life and also a large hospital bill if you knew you were allergic but told no one.

[uhuh]

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's strange how you hear reports that hospitals have provided patient history to insurance companies without permission but won't give to other hospitals with permission

The insurance pays.

You don't. 

Another hospital steals business. 

[NancyL]

On 6/18/2020 at 3:56 PM, fredge45 said:

I was in one of Chiang Mai's 'finest' private hospitals being treated.  Told the Dr. that I had gone through some relevant procedures at the other "finest" hospital.  The other hospital refused to release the records unless I personally came to pick them up, which I was unable to do at the time.  I even signed some form requesting release but they still refused.  Told them to RAM it in the future.

This has not been my experience with either of these hospitals.  I've known of them releasing medical records when the patient signs a release (a form the hospital holding the records supplies) and also a permission slip (really a limited power of attorney) authorizing someone else to pick up the documents, CD, films, etc to take to the other institution.  I've been the go-fer couriering documents, etc between institutions several times for exactly this purpose for several people.