Advice On Hospitals

[danc]

Hi all,

I need to have a hernia operation sooner rather than later - I cannot return to the UK for this as I am not there to go on waiting lists etc. Thankfully I have not in my five years here ever had to use a hospital before - so does anyone have any advice as to which might be good for such an op and of course any idea of costs - I do not have insurance - it is also a preexisting condition so difficult to suddenly take insurance out!!! - and I should also add that I am by no means wealthy - I live outside of Bangkok also but am guessing that I would come into town for the duration....

Many thanks for your help

Danc

[lanny]

There are a number of excellent hospitals in BKK. My own, personal, choice would be BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home.) It is clean, modern, well equiped, and the staff all speak good English. Unlike Bumrungrad and other international hospitals, BNH is not so busy that the doctors can't take time to explain things to you. The atmosphere is not so impersonal as Bumrungrad and I've never spent much time sitting around waiting to see the doctor (like I used to at Bumrungrad.)

[tayto]

http://medical-tourism-in-thailand.com/che...price-list.html

[rgs2001uk]

danc

you may also want to check out ramkamhaeng hospital, its on ramkamhaeng rd soi 32 i think, in the hua mark district of bangkok.

i had an operation there about 4 months ago, saw the specialist on the friday, went into hospital on the monday night and was operated on tuesday morning.

the admin staff all spoke english, the doctors all spoke perfect english, i was more than happy with the service i recieved and the result of the operation.

i would have no hesitation in using this hospital again.

good luck.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Hi all,

I need to have a hernia operation sooner rather than later - I cannot return to the UK for this as I am not there to go on waiting lists etc. Thankfully I have not in my five years here ever had to use a hospital before - so does anyone have any advice as to which might be good for such an op and of course any idea of costs - I do not have insurance - it is also a preexisting condition so difficult to suddenly take insurance out!!! - and I should also add that I am by no means wealthy - I live outside of Bangkok also but am guessing that I would come into town for the duration....

Many thanks for your help

Danc

Danc

I've had two herina repairs done at the old BNH, the really nice old building that's pretty well gone now, sad to say.  Done up fine.  

However recently have switched to Vibhavadi Hospital on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Highway there at the corner of Ngam Wong Wan Road, www.vibhavadi.com

Had keyhole surgery for gallstones last month, baht 100,000 including two nights.  Very good English speaking surgeon, Dr Tanas.

Yesterday had the colonoscope (gulp!) to check for colon cancer possibilities, none thankfully.  Cost including one night RON, baht 16,000, altho w/o the RON should be about baht 14,000.

Not so much English on the nursing staff as at BNH but adequate, and 13th floor had some good looking ones.

There is an "international" desk on the second floor, and if you do go there be sure to ask about the discount card.  I opted for the baht 200 card, 10% on some services.

Mac

[lopburi3]

This lists the price as 75 or 85k

http://www.vejthani.com/price_minor_2.html

You might check Saint Louis Hospital as they are often cheaper than other private hospitals:

Saint Louis Hospital

[danc]

Many thanks for all who have come back with the information, very helpful indeed!

Next question, excuse my naivete but how does it work?

Thanyaburimac, you write that you have been under twice for the hernia - how did you get to decide on BNH - did you see them and others and then plump for them - if so did you have to pay for the consultations at the other places????

A little more guidance PLEASE and then I think I am off and running!!!!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Many thanks for all who have come back with the information, very helpful indeed!

Next question, excuse my naivete but how does it work?

Thanyaburimac, you write that you have been under twice for the hernia - how did you get to decide on BNH - did you see them and others and then plump for them - if so did you have to pay for the consultations at the other places????

A little more guidance PLEASE and then I think I am off and running!!!!

I just picked BNH 'cause I'd been an inpatient for 11 days in 1981 with a back injury, no surgery required, but was happy with their service.  Now, of course, they're "fancy" like everybody else.

Today if I was looking at a herina repair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inguinal_hernia) I'd probably check in with Vibhavadi first, if only 'cause I've been there twice now in the last 30 days, surgery and the "shaft."  I'd also  expect that they'd be a tad less expensive than either BNH or Bumrungrad but who knows?

Consultation costs?  Probably free to minimal, don't know.  Hernia, tho, is pretty easy to ID, just look for a bulge in the groin.

Don't know what kind of surgery would be required in your case.  I had the ol' cut & sew job which meant five days in the hospital then a further three weeks shuffling at home, not driving, either.  This was result of having to cut the underling muscles to get at the job site.  Not real comfortable but certainly bearable with a couple Singhas.

Looks like the "keyhole" surgery is a possiblity, which would be a real plus:

"Surgical treatment

See main article at herniorrhaphy.

"Surgical correction of inguinal hernias, called a herniorrhaphy or hernioplasty, is now often performed as an ambulatory, or "day surgery," procedure. There are various surgical strategies which may be considered in the planning of inguinal hernia repair. These include the consideration of mesh use, type of open repair, use of laparoscopy, type of anesthesia, appropriateness of bilateral repair, etc."

This is the doc who did the gallstone job last month:

http://www.vibhavadi.com/en/finddoctor.php

Doctor Name: Dr.Tanes Puapornpongse, M.D.

Department: Surgical Clinics

Details: Dr.Tanes Puapornpongse, M.D. Surgeon Doctor of Medicine, Siriraj, Mahidol University Diplomate, Thai Board of General Surgery Master of Business Administration (MBA), Chulalongkorn University Diplomate, Thai Board of Family Medicine Certificate Clinical Fellowship in Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery (Imperial College University of London, UK) Certificate Clinical Fellowship in Breast Surgery (Imperial College University of London, UK) Clinical Attachment Course on Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery (Imperial College University of London, UK) Present : General Surgeon at Vibhavadi Hospital

Over to you now.

Mac

[danc]

Many thanks, Mac

Now as you say it's up to me!!!!!

[dumball]

There are a number of excellent hospitals in BKK. My own, personal, choice would be BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home.) It is clean, modern, well equiped, and the staff all speak good English. Unlike Bumrungrad and other international hospitals, BNH is not so busy that the doctors can't take time to explain things to you. The atmosphere is not so impersonal as Bumrungrad and I've never spent much time sitting around waiting to see the doctor (like I used to at Bumrungrad.)

Bnh is fantastic , very clean , very efficient , excellent staff , more like a hotel for accomodation .I spent 5 days there for a heart attack 3 years ago and the after treatment to get the medicine correct for "You " not what a journal tells the doctor , I stopped medication over 2 years ago ( Doctors advice ) and have not had a recurrence , touch wood .Cost was $1,400.00 CDN

[besth]

Where is BNH

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Where is BNH

BNH Hospitl is on Convent Road which runs between Silom and Sathorn, down towards the Sathorn end.

http://www.bnhhospital.com/

Mac

[Sheryl]

As cost is a consideration I would second the rec for St Louis Hospital and also consider Phayathai 2 (near Victory Monument) and Chao Phya (Thonburi side of teh river, near Pinklao). All 3 have websites. Suggest emailing them and asking for the name of surgeon(s) who speak English and are experienced in hernia repair, then go in for consultation.

You will have to pay for consultation but costs won't be very high, probably about 500 Baht and this gives you a chance to meet the surgeon, hear what type of procedure he proposes to do and see what you think of him/her. Do ask about the "keyhole" approach.

While I realize it can be hard for a lay person to assess a surgeon's qualifications, I think it can be done by simply asking questions like "Am I candidate for a laporoscopic apporach/ key hole surgery?" and then if answer is no, why? Otherwise.."what are the advantages and disadvantages of that type of approach?". Also: "approximately how many procedures of this type have you performed?", "what are the possible risks associated with this surgery?", and "what percent of hernias repaired in this way re-occur?" . Look for a surgeon who does not take offense at or evade these questions and takes the time to answer fully in detail.

[danc]

As cost is a consideration I would second the rec for St Louis Hospital and also consider Phayathai 2 (near Victory Monument) and Chao Phya (Thonburi side of teh river, near Pinklao). All 3 have websites. Suggest emailing them and asking for the name of surgeon(s) who speak English and are experienced in hernia repair, then go in for consultation.

You will have to pay for consultation but costs won't be very high, probably about 500 Baht and this gives you a chance to meet the surgeon, hear what type of procedure he proposes to do and see what you think of him/her. Do ask about the "keyhole" approach.

While I realize it can be hard for a lay person to assess a surgeon's qualifications, I think it can be done by simply asking questions like "Am I candidate for a laporoscopic apporach/ key hole surgery?" and then if answer is no, why? Otherwise.."what are the advantages and disadvantages of that type of approach?". Also: "approximately how many procedures of this type have you performed?", "what are the possible risks associated with this surgery?", and "what percent of hernias repaired in this way re-occur?" . Look for a surgeon who does not take offense at or evade these questions and takes the time to answer fully in detail.

[danc]

I have also had advice on Chulalongkorn as being very good

Another one recommended is Siriraj - does anyone have any experience of dealing with either of them???

I sense we are moving into more government hospitals here where the price is going to be considerably less but the question of language arises.....I suppose that is part of what one is paying for..-

danc

[Sheryl]

Chula and Siriraj are both good hospitals and at very reasonable cost you can get a private room where someone (hopefully a Thai speaker!) can stay with you. You have to request that, tho, otherwise you'll wind up on a ward with restricted visiting hours.

Language will indeed be the catch. Another is that you cannot choose your doctor. And the actual surgery will very likely be performed by an intern or resident (but under a senior doctor's supervision)...these are teaching hospitals. For a simple hernia repair there's not much danger in that, but if non-laporascopic procedure you may end up with more of a scar than could be achieved otherwise.

Don't know if they can do the procedure laparoscopically there. Worth asking. If they can, scar will be minimal.

P.S. Forgot to add -- and possibly the biggest disadvantage esp. as you don't live in Bangkok -- at a govt hosp you cannot simply schedule surgery or even a consultation with a surgeon. You have to go through a time-consuming bureaocratic procedure of registration (long lines, most signs and forms in Thai), then wait to have your vital signs taken by a nurse (long wait), then a long wait to be seen by a GP (probably a medical student), then get sent for Chest Xray and any other tests needed, then finally get an appointment to see a surgeon, then get a future appointment date for the surgery which may be weeks or even months later on. The first parts of this process (up to where you finally see a surgeon) will take at least a few days, most of them spent waiting. And you definitely need to either speak Thai or have a Thai speaker with you.

The last time I helped someone through this process it took a full 5 days to finally meet the specialist -- and this patient had been referred for surgery already by a hospital in Cambodia.

The hospital costs will definitely be cheaper than even the most reasonable private hosps but you need to weigh that against any expenses entailed in spending several extra days in Bkk and the "opportunity costs" of all that down time.

Edited July 25, 2007 by Sheryl

[tonydabbs]

I have also had advice on Chulalongkorn as being very good

Another one recommended is Siriraj - does anyone have any experience of dealing with either of them???

I sense we are moving into more government hospitals here where the price is going to be considerably less but the question of language arises.....I suppose that is part of what one is paying for..-

danc

If you are on a tight budget, I would stay away from BNH it's one of the highest cost hospitals in Thailand, second only to BGH (Bankok General). Chulalongkorn and Siriraj would be the best low cost choices. They are both government hospitals with excellent reputations. Chulalongkorn is a teaching hospital so it is very well equiped. Siriraj is the hospital the King uses. It may be a teaching hospital also; but the important thing is that it is well equiped and is cheaper than a private hospital. If you don't want to use a government hospital, St. Louis and some of the other low cost private hospitals mentioned in this thread are other good options. There are a lot of quality low cost hospitals in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

My wife has used Chula for several serious operations. She is Thai so language is not a problem but for most doctors it is not a problem speaking English as many are senior people in there fields and often visit US and other countries for conferences. Price of rooms will depend on wage family earns but even the highest will be below most private hospitals. Major tests will also be a little below most private hospital charges. Surgery will be very cheap for doctors and medical supplies will be quite cheap. But believe most people do provide doctors a gift after release, be it a shirt or tie or some other item to express there thanks for his service. As said by Sheryl if a private room available someone should stay with patient and should speak Thai if possible. Basic hospital care is basic and extra person can double check what is being done. There were too many mistakes made to make me feel comfortable.

Paperwork can be a problem if you need English for anything (such as insurance) and may involve days of conflicting instructions and requirements by administrative type people who seem to take great pleasure in being obstructive (and this to Thai). The pharmacy never provides itemized receipts; if you require them for insurance. A family member had a bad experience with MRI scan where those involved were too busy talking on there phones to observe adverse reaction of patient. There is the old "we are doing you a favor" attitude by too many.

I have the highest respect for the doctors as they all seem to work 20 hour days - but nobody has the time to think things through and errors under such conditions are likely to occur.

[gmac]

Hi all,

I need to have a hernia operation sooner rather than later - I cannot return to the UK for this as I am not there to go on waiting lists etc. Thankfully I have not in my five years here ever had to use a hospital before - so does anyone have any advice as to which might be good for such an op and of course any idea of costs - I do not have insurance - it is also a preexisting condition so difficult to suddenly take insurance out!!! - and I should also add that I am by no means wealthy - I live outside of Bangkok also but am guessing that I would come into town for the duration....

Many thanks for your help

Danc

I'm probably too late as I have only just seen your post but for what it's worth I had a hernia operation at Pattaya Memorial Hospital a couple of months back. Very happy with treatment and level of English spoken and the cost was 38000 Baht.

gmac

[thescot]

i had a hernia op at bumrungrad earlier this year and for your info it was done the next day after seing the surgeon and having some pre op checks done. All English spoken, very comfortable well explained, stayed 1 night and the total costs including meds was 90,000thb.

[danc]

Thanks for the info - I was due to post a reply back for all as it may prove useful...

I did quite a lot of research online by deciding first up that I would have a full health check-up and looking at both prices and services offered by different websites for differeny ages and so on. I decided not to go for government hospitals taking on board the advice given about time taken... I do not live on Bangkok so was relying on someone's else hospitality for a roof over my head so did not want to push it too far!!!! - if one needed to stay in a hotel/gh by the way, then this will add a big extra to costs that you might have in your head.... Wikipedia, funnily enough has an excellent list of Thai hospitals so I used this as my starting point then hit the websites and from that decided on Saint Loius for the health check-up - I am just 40, so their test seemed to fit my criteria for 5100baht. Incidentally, the Vibhavadi is doing a good deal at the moment for 5900bt but this is very extensive and maybe for someone slighty older than myself. To do the check-up it really is just a question of ringing and booking a spot. - they had me in at Saint Louis within a couple of days -

from there, I went upstairs tfor a brief consultation with Dr Suthep, asked a few questions as advised by other posters and that was that. I then also visited Dr Tannes at Vibhavadi

[danc]

Thanks for the info - I was due to post a reply back for all as it may prove useful...

I did quite a lot of research online by deciding first up that I would have a full health check-up and looking at both prices and services offered by different websites for different ages and so on. I decided not to go for government hospitals taking on board the advice given about time taken... I do not live in Bangkok so was relying on someone's else hospitality for a roof over my head and did not want to push it too far!!!! - if one needed to stay in a hotel/gh by the way, then this will add a big extra to costs that you might have in your head.... Wikipedia, funnily enough has an excellent list of Thai hospitals so I used this as my starting point then hit the websites and from that decided on Saint Louis for the health check-up - I am just 40, so their test seemed to fit my criteria for 5100baht. Incidentally, the Vibhavadi is doing a good deal at the moment for 5900bt but this is very extensive and maybe for someone slighty older than myself. To do the check-up it really is just a question of ringing and booking a spot - they had me in at Saint Louis within a couple of days.

After my check-up, I had made an appointment to see the surgeon about the hernia. I asked a few questions as advised by other posters, got an idea of cost and that was that. I then also visited Dr Tannes at Vibhavadi, following the same process. Incidentally, Vibhavadi does do keyhole surgery but does not recommend it for hernias (research on the web shows that it is due to re-occurence and possible complications - Saint Louis does not do this procedure). Prices were 38-45k at St Louis, 55 to 70 at Vibhavadi (the doctor said 60+ in reality).....a lot depends on how long you stay post-op, but there is definitely a tiering process within these private hospitals as other posters have indicated. I plumped for St Louis - yes, the price suited but I did find Vibhavadi just a bit too business like...they greet you at the door - an International representative to guide you through, for example...

Having made up my mind, I just had to give them a day's notice - you ring the doctor himself/herself ands book in.....so, I then was admitted a.m. on the actual day, op at lunchtime, recovery and pain into the afternoon and night!! I stayed in a single room - again there is a full price list for the rooms usually on the web, but if you are visiting hospitals then just ask....hernia op's themselves do not have a list price, apparently unlike other conditions.....and I left the next day around noon...

Service wise - the doctor speaks very good English but is a reserved character...so you have to ask the questions - noticeably different to Dr Tannes at Vibhavadi who seems more Western style in his approach. The nurses are less confident in the language but I do speak a fair bit of Thai - it as apparent that when I stumbled, then they had the English to hand if necessary.....room was fine - English tv in a limited way - Star movies!!!, not an electric bed but nurses always on hand and helpful etc. - I had two simple meals - thai style, so that means Khao tom!!!! The bill itself ....29500baht. So between quotation and paying it dropped a full 10,000baht. I am not sure why but I figure maybe I did not need any blood tests etc on the morning of the op as I had had the full check-up a few days before and was therefore carrying a little book with all my details....I only stayed one night though I did take the most expensive option....who knows but all in all that seems a very fair price. I paid another 200bt to have the stitches removed a few days later and I paid around 400baht when I first met the doctor for the consultation and I also bought a gold card at 300bt which gives you 10% on the room and on medicines bought from the pharmacy....Now, I have a bit of discomfort, a scar, no pubic hair but other than that it seems a success.

So once again thanks to other posters for setting me on the right path......I did see another post on health check-ups so I don't know if this can be cross referenced......hope that this helps others who might be considering using hospitals here in LOS!!!

danc

[Sheryl]

Thanks for the update, Danc.

St. Louis is indeed a very good option for those who want the time-saving and other conveniences of a private hospital but are on a tight budget, as long as the problem is not a very unusual or highly complex one. They do not have as wide a range of specialists as places like Bummers, Samitivej, Bangkok etc but this is no matter for the majority of needs.

They are also non-profit so one is unlikely to encounter the money-gouging tricks sometimes found at the other places.