Bangkok Samui Hospital

[Jambo]

How do you photocopy a bottle of tablets?

[churchill]

If you wanted to , put them on photocopier and press copy ! Lots of stranger things have been photocopied .

[mattias33]

How do you photocopy a bottle of tablets?

Sorry, my mistace, forgot about the retards on the forum. That would be photocopy the perscription of the meds. Clear enough sir?

[ChangMaiSausage]

Just returned from vacation in Samui with my family whilst there we had to take my fourteen month old son to Bangkok hospital due to difficulty breathing, basically through panic we took him to hospital. There they gave him an injection, oxygen and several other medications, we ended up staying in over night as his breathing was still very laboured. They wanted to give him a drip but I told them no as he was not dehydrated + the girl/nurse taking the blood was shaking so badly I was worried about the damage she would do trying to fit the drip . Anyway it ended up that we had to wait until ten the next morning before a specialist arrived, she wanted to keep him in for another night but we declined and checked out with a bill of 8000thb (5000 was for accommodation/room overnight)

What concerned me was that all the staff that treated the little one looked under 20 including the doctor.

They only seemed to want to make the room nice instead of taking care of the patient.

It all seemed about making money.

[longtom]

How do you photocopy a bottle of tablets?

Sorry, my mistace, forgot about the retards on the forum. That would be photocopy the perscription of the meds. Clear enough sir?

I personally regard your question as much more retarded, so don't throw stones when sitting in a glass house.

Regarding the topic at hand, yes Bangkok Hospital are trying hard to 'maximize' their revenue with every patient. As mentioned only go there when you have a good insurance or a serious problem (that cannot be fixed at Nathon Hospital). In my opinion the biggest problem lies in the extreme competition between the hospitals (and the bribed ambulance drivers), which means they'd rather let you suffer longtime then bring you to another hospital with an appropriate specialist. That can be quite a nuisance after a heavy accident, as I had to learn the hard way.

[churchill]

Perhaps someone from Bangkok Hospital should reply to some of the issues raised on this thread ?

[mark lamai]

seems to be the ususal procedure Thailand wide.

consultation,

check bin at accounts

then go to pharmacy for pills.

so. at accounts. before paying, i asked what is the medication, then went to pharmacy to see,

simply copied the names while making a performance of reading the labels etc.

what is very bad about the usual Thai system is that the doctor never explains to the patient about the medication.

the lass at the pharmacy knows only the dosage etc.

so you dont really know what you are taking and what its for.

implicitly = "trust me, I'm a doctor"

works in bars, not in hospitals.................

[islandguy]

After a very recent experience at Bangkok Hospital Samui, here are some things to be aware for someone using their services on a non emergency basis. There only a few separate departments. My wife got a diagnostic test using equipment at the Radiology department. She was seen by a general surgeon before for a physical exam and by the same doctor afterward to explain the results. The testing and doctor both seemed of good quality, but it took a very long time. This was because they had us in the Emergency Room and the two doctors on duty were handling both emergency cases and people such as ourselves. One of them was operating the whole time we were there. If they both go into surgery you will have a very long wait, so you might want to come back later if that should happen. I was told that this was because of the way they have organized themselves (rather than because we were a walk in).

Also, since I have lived here for some time, I am aware of their for profit business model and reputation for high prices. I asked for a complete explanation of charges before starting the process. The doctor fee was to be 200 bt and the tests 4,900 baht. The former seemed quite low and the latter quite high, but I had been told they have the only machine on the island to do the test and wasn't planning to leave the island for a couple of months, so we went ahead with the test.

The total instead was 5,700 baht, with additional charges for materials used in the test and for a second doctors charge of 500 baht (I would guess for the radiologist). Not something to make me trust them if I am in the same situation again and want to know costs up front.

By the way, my wife's sister, who is well able to afford it, had the same procedure in a private hospital in Bangkok for 2,500 baht. So, we should all be glad they are here with good equipment and doctors, very nice people, but it is understandable that some people are quite suspicious of them.

[samui04]

slightly on topic.

just a way to save a few baht.

went to Samui International Hospital with sore eye (dirt in eye while on moto).

presented bill was 1660 baht.

medication in that was 740 baht, not itemised.

I asked to see the medication, and copied the names.

went back to accounts and said i didnt want the medication.

new bill prepared with only 1 medication listed at 100 baht,

this new med was not in the original group, strange.

paid and went to my favourite pharmacy,

the same medications there cost me 140 baht.

Total agreement, NEVER buy the meds in the hospital over here. Go to a pharmacy and ask for "generic" of whatever they prescribe for you.

People suggested me NEVER buy stuff from farmacy, they sell pills made in China.....content unkonwn....

[samuibeachcomber]

slightly on topic.

just a way to save a few baht.

went to Samui International Hospital with sore eye (dirt in eye while on moto).

presented bill was 1660 baht.

medication in that was 740 baht, not itemised.

I asked to see the medication, and copied the names.

went back to accounts and said i didnt want the medication.

new bill prepared with only 1 medication listed at 100 baht,

this new med was not in the original group, strange.

paid and went to my favourite pharmacy,

the same medications there cost me 140 baht.

Total agreement, NEVER buy the meds in the hospital over here. Go to a pharmacy and ask for "generic" of whatever they prescribe for you.

People suggested me NEVER buy stuff from farmacy, they sell pills made in China.....content unkonwn....

cant agree i find the pharmacies great and will save you a lot of money rather than buy what a hospital prescribes,they really do rip you off when it comes to the cost of medication.

[gusalf]

I broke my pelvis in October and Bangkok hospital could not be bettered. The treatment,when I was transfered to the main one in Bangkok itself, was also first class.

I do have medical insurance though................ erm............. !

[mattias33]

I broke my pelvis in October and Bangkok hospital could not be bettered. The treatment,when I was transfered to the main one in Bangkok itself, was also first class.

I do have medical insurance though................ erm............. !

Yep. On serious stuff they do transfer you to the main one in Bkk and i agree that one is first class. AND requires medical insurance with full coverage, its VERY expensive.

[happylarry]

I am taking tablets at the moment supplied by Bangkok Hospital. I visited a pharmacy to enquire about the price, to compare and as there was only about 20baht difference I decided it wasnt worth the hassle and simply let the hospital supply them. Their charges go through the roof generally but not necessarily on the medication.

HL

[t.s]

I am taking tablets at the moment supplied by Bangkok Hospital. I visited a pharmacy to enquire about the price, to compare and as there was only about 20baht difference I decided it wasnt worth the hassle and simply let the hospital supply them. Their charges go through the roof generally but not necessarily on the medication.

HL

on another note i used the BH Samui clinic on koh phan ngan after my 2 yr old dropped a very heavy chair on her foot which immediately swelled and turned blue.

helpful staff, clean and professional premises, decent lab, and full x-ray and PACS system.

x-ray, interpretation, and doctors assesment of the wound took less than 30 mins and the total bill was 910 baht.

I was very impressed and am happy to have the clinic on the island especially since i have a child.

the rest of you save your pennies where you may, first class medical is well worth it.

[pothai]

Dont forget, some pills are expensive because they are original. I always use amoxycillan for toothe infection. Imported are 500 Baht, copy 55 Baht

[Beachedwhale]

Perhaps someone from Bangkok Hospital should reply to some of the issues raised on this thread ?

I agree,

My good friend who is a reasonably large chap went to Bangkok Samui Hospital under approval from his Insurance company to have a small operation. Only to spend 3 days in there, 6 hours on the operating table under anaesthetic to be told that they could not do the operation because of what they called his “unusual anatomy” – I’m not a Doctor, but it only takes one look at the 140 kg 2 m guy to see he is a bit larger than normal.

Anyway, they had to end up flying him to Bumrungrad a month after to try and fix the initial problems and also fix the new problems caused by shoving things down his throat which did not quite fit. I have seen his letter to the Insurers who did pay the £900 bill as well as for Bumrungrad … here’s his letter to the Insurers:

Dear <Insurers>,

I am less than impressed with Bangkok Samui Hospital, <Insurers> having been billed <£900 at a time when the baht exceeded 70 to £1> for what was effectively 3 days bed & breakfast. They were unable to conduct my operation because of what they called my ‘unusual anatomy’ but I’m baffled as to why they didn’t realize this until I was on the operating table.

Please note:

1. I suspect they didn’t have a long enough laryngeal tube for someone my size.

2. I belched 6 times once I came round, my stomach being filled with air on the operating theatre.

3. I was anethsatised @9am & was still ‘out’ @3PM when my wife arrived. She wasn’t told they hadn’t conducted the operation!

4. I woke up briefly in ICU surrounded by some worried faces. I think something went drastically wrong but they got away with it.

5. I was violently ill for 24 hrs with blood in my vomit.

6. My throat has been badly injured on the inside & has yet to heal.

With Thai culture being the way it is they simply chose to discharge me in the belief that the problem will go away. My <initial problem> returned with a vengeance this morning (it had gone down due to no food) & continues to cause discomfort.

...

just another example to add to the list.....

[yorkie100]

I would have thought that Bangkok Hospital would always have a doctor on emergancy call in case of an emergancy . If they don't I'd be very surprised - They have an intensive care unit and many patients so they must have qualified dorctors to hand if needs be .

I have recently had the misfortune to be ill and went to BSH.

The immediate diagnosis and rapid treatment by the Doctor on call (Dr. Sarayuth) was excellent as was his continued overseeing of my treatment and gradual recovery.

HOWEVER, I was admitted to the ICU ward where I was told I needed 24 hour care (this consisted of ensuring my drips were OK and taking my temperature and BP every two hours.)

After two days of this with only casual but adequate care by the nursing staff I had to sign myself out due to the excessive charges.( No insurance due to age and existing medical condition).

The first invoice for the 48 hours of care was 140,000 baht discounted (so they said because I am resident and married to a Thai) to 125,000 baht.

This included a CT scan, x-ray and oxygen (at 1000 baht per day approx) and meals at 500 baht which I never had.

I refused to pay on the following grounds.

The ICU ward was filthy with dirt in the light fittings over the bed, the ducting around the air con was equally dirty and for two days I asked for paper towels and soap to wash my hands after going to the toilet (something I was doing every hour or so due to my illness) without success. (I did wash with water and cotton towels.)

One of the orderlies told my wife there was no liquid soap or paper towels available as the hospital had failed to order them. This applied I believe to all eight ICU rooms.

I was somewhat incontinent and at times had to ask the nursing staff to change the bed clothes as they did not always do it without my asking.

When I explained all this to the cashier standing at my bedside waiting for payment, without reference to any higher authority she immediately dropped the price to 100,000 baht. I was so shocked I agreed but in hindsight and not feeling 100% at the time now realise there was probably still room for further negotiation. More fool me.

I was transferred to a private room at Nathon Samui Hospital, bigger than the average hotel room where my wife stayed with me and slept in the same room with aircon colour TV oxygen and private bathroom and balcony overlooking the sea some 50 metres away and charged 1,500 baht per day including three meals and the same 'intensive care' treatment.

The Doctor's care was at least equal to that at BSH and the final invoice for treatment for SEVEN days including the results of five blood tests and all the IV drips of saline and antibiotics came to the grand total of 5,080 bahts.

Judge for yourselves.

[gerazsolt]

Welcome to Koh Scamui...

This Island is famous about how to rip off the Farang... They think we are walking ATM's with unlimited credit

[MSingh]

Welcome to Koh Scamui...

This Island is famous about how to rip off the Farang... They think we are walking ATM's with unlimited credit

Mr Zsolt, tell these people what happened with your Friend ( the Hungarian ) who was aTrainee Doctor there & what he got told by a Senior Doctor...

[Nirvana]

Welcome to Koh Scamui...

This Island is famous about how to rip off the Farang... They think we are walking ATM's with unlimited credit

Mr Zsolt, tell these people what happened with your Friend ( the Hungarian ) who was aTrainee Doctor there & what he got told by a Senior Doctor...

perked my interest , do tell pls

[JRinger]

southwest19

Rather than moaning about Bangkok Hospital why don't you buy yourself decent medical insurance.

great advice, NOT !! If you do have insurance they would, almost always, insist on more tests, more drugs, kidney replacement, etc.,. whatever gets the price up.. over the years I've been to many hospitals in the Kingdom and most have mis-diagnosed the real problem...Bangkok Hospital told me I had stomach ulcers and prescribed several medications, 6,000 bahts worth plus doctor/exam, etc., only to find out from the government hospital up north I had kidney stones.....not much different than the west in many way...they're in business. Anyone ever gone to the hospital complaining of something and told "nothing wrong, you're fine" ?

Edited April 2, 2009 by JRinger

[supbangkok]

The OP sounds like the original cheap charlie farang. Sounds quite entitled too. I am farang therefore I deserve the best-for free-right now.

Hospitals are expensive that is common knowledge the world over.

You want to go to a pharmacy sure it is cheaper. A hospital has loads of expenses to cover.

[BigC]

Recently had to go to Bankok Samui Hospital with very bad kidney pains. the service was excellent etc etc and the doctor prescribed me 4 different pills and told me to come back the next day and if i was feeling ok they would just send me away and if i wasnt they would change the medication. went the next day, explained to the nurse and receptionist that i was ok but they ferried me into another room. explained again, also that i have no medical insurance and no money (the second one being a small white lie but i could understand what was happening) kept explaining no insurance no money but was asked to do a urine test, was then ushered into a specialists office who without even examining me said that they needed to do a prostrate exam and a CT scan. at this point i thought enough is enough and told them in no uncertain terms that i felt this was totally unecessary and i didnt have any money or insurance, bit of arm flapping on their behalf then it was ok no problem goodbye. so the warning is this, if it is a minor medical problem go to the happy pharmacy near the guest house on soi reggae. the girl there has always been great and very knowledgeable

one other point i was charged 1700 baht for pills and my regular pharmacist has told me that two sets of pills are not required as they do the same thing as the other two and i could have bought them from her for 300 baht

the only reason i went to the hospital was because i was in agony, perhaps i should have got someone to drop me off at the pharmacy instead, we live and learn.

by the way this was my first ever experience of hospital in thailand and i have lived here for two years, whilst the service was excellent and the hospital very clean i feel that they cannot justify these extra diagnosies and exorbitant charges for medication

that is the problem with private hospitals they are a business and they steal all the good doctors and nirses from the public sector leaving govement hospitals under staffed and sometime under qulified.

my g/f went into bangkok hospital samui because i thought she had taken and mistaken over dose.

the doctor in her own words said they the pills she had taken were harmless because they were a low dose BUT they wanted me to keep her there for 6 hrs for obsrvation and stick atube up her nose at the cost of 12 K then i told them that it was too much they said ok we just drain her stomache with salt water.

still 12 K. ( no deal )

then i said that i would treat her at home. just give me the medicine.

they came back and instisted that she stayed but in the emmergency room for half price. only 6 K

my G/F said asked why she had to stay when the doc said that it was a harmless dose.

cut a long story short we left and the doctor gave her medicine at the cost of 3 k. she took one of the 12 pills. not 3 days later she is dead....dry joke. no 3 days later she is fine and had suffered nothing.

BBK hospital. nice looking nurses. clean but heavy on the old pockets.

[maccaroni man]

Recently had to go to Bankok Samui Hospital with very bad kidney pains. the service was excellent etc etc and the doctor prescribed me 4 different pills and told me to come back the next day and if i was feeling ok they would just send me away and if i wasnt they would change the medication. went the next day, explained to the nurse and receptionist that i was ok but they ferried me into another room. explained again, also that i have no medical insurance and no money (the second one being a small white lie but i could understand what was happening) kept explaining no insurance no money but was asked to do a urine test, was then ushered into a specialists office who without even examining me said that they needed to do a prostrate exam and a CT scan. at this point i thought enough is enough and told them in no uncertain terms that i felt this was totally unecessary and i didnt have any money or insurance, bit of arm flapping on their behalf then it was ok no problem goodbye. so the warning is this, if it is a minor medical problem go to the happy pharmacy near the guest house on soi reggae. the girl there has always been great and very knowledgeable

one other point i was charged 1700 baht for pills and my regular pharmacist has told me that two sets of pills are not required as they do the same thing as the other two and i could have bought them from her for 300 baht

the only reason i went to the hospital was because i was in agony, perhaps i should have got someone to drop me off at the pharmacy instead, we live and learn.

by the way this was my first ever experience of hospital in thailand and i have lived here for two years, whilst the service was excellent and the hospital very clean i feel that they cannot justify these extra diagnosies and exorbitant charges for medication

that is the problem with private hospitals they are a business and they steal all the good doctors and nirses from the public sector leaving govement hospitals under staffed and sometime under qulified.

my g/f went into bangkok hospital samui because i thought she had taken and mistaken over dose.

the doctor in her own words said they the pills she had taken were harmless because they were a low dose BUT they wanted me to keep her there for 6 hrs for obsrvation and stick atube up her nose at the cost of 12 K then i told them that it was too much they said ok we just drain her stomache with salt water.

still 12 K. ( no deal )

then i said that i would treat her at home. just give me the medicine.

they came back and instisted that she stayed but in the emmergency room for half price. only 6 K

my G/F said asked why she had to stay when the doc said that it was a harmless dose.

cut a long story short we left and the doctor gave her medicine at the cost of 3 k. she took one of the 12 pills. not 3 days later she is dead....dry joke. no 3 days later she is fine and had suffered nothing.

BBK hospital. nice looking nurses. clean but heavy on the old pockets.

hmmm your gf takes an over dose as far as you know a life or death situation so you take her to the best hospital on the island or most costly but when you get a quick diagnosisi that she will be fine the extra precaution advised by the dr. is an attempt to pad the bill? I am i missing something here? what would you be writing if for some reason the dr. was wrog and 12 hrs later she went into a coma? iIMHO in situations like that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of flesh.

[BigC]

Recently had to go to Bankok Samui Hospital with very bad kidney pains. the service was excellent etc etc and the doctor prescribed me 4 different pills and told me to come back the next day and if i was feeling ok they would just send me away and if i wasnt they would change the medication. went the next day, explained to the nurse and receptionist that i was ok but they ferried me into another room. explained again, also that i have no medical insurance and no money (the second one being a small white lie but i could understand what was happening) kept explaining no insurance no money but was asked to do a urine test, was then ushered into a specialists office who without even examining me said that they needed to do a prostrate exam and a CT scan. at this point i thought enough is enough and told them in no uncertain terms that i felt this was totally unecessary and i didnt have any money or insurance, bit of arm flapping on their behalf then it was ok no problem goodbye. so the warning is this, if it is a minor medical problem go to the happy pharmacy near the guest house on soi reggae. the girl there has always been great and very knowledgeable

one other point i was charged 1700 baht for pills and my regular pharmacist has told me that two sets of pills are not required as they do the same thing as the other two and i could have bought them from her for 300 baht

the only reason i went to the hospital was because i was in agony, perhaps i should have got someone to drop me off at the pharmacy instead, we live and learn.

by the way this was my first ever experience of hospital in thailand and i have lived here for two years, whilst the service was excellent and the hospital very clean i feel that they cannot justify these extra diagnosies and exorbitant charges for medication

that is the problem with private hospitals they are a business and they steal all the good doctors and nirses from the public sector leaving govement hospitals under staffed and sometime under qulified.

my g/f went into bangkok hospital samui because i thought she had taken and mistaken over dose.

the doctor in her own words said they the pills she had taken were harmless because they were a low dose BUT they wanted me to keep her there for 6 hrs for obsrvation and stick atube up her nose at the cost of 12 K then i told them that it was too much they said ok we just drain her stomache with salt water.

still 12 K. ( no deal )

then i said that i would treat her at home. just give me the medicine.

they came back and instisted that she stayed but in the emmergency room for half price. only 6 K

my G/F said asked why she had to stay when the doc said that it was a harmless dose.

cut a long story short we left and the doctor gave her medicine at the cost of 3 k. she took one of the 12 pills. not 3 days later she is dead....dry joke. no 3 days later she is fine and had suffered nothing.

BBK hospital. nice looking nurses. clean but heavy on the old pockets.

hmmm your gf takes an over dose as far as you know a life or death situation so you take her to the best hospital on the island or most costly but when you get a quick diagnosisi that she will be fine the extra precaution advised by the dr. is an attempt to pad the bill? I am i missing something here? what would you be writing if for some reason the dr. was wrog and 12 hrs later she went into a coma? iIMHO in situations like that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of flesh.

it is nothing to do with being cheap cahrlie it is about not wasting money. you aqre missing the point. the doctor said that she was fine. also i have stop getting inssurence now becuase the hospitals in thailand have a reputation of over charging a rippping the inssurence companies. i went into hospital 3 times. a few years ago. just as i was checking out i was pulled to one side.

the person incharge of the inssurence said that the hospital had not ever been paid by the company. which bascially meant that i had to pay the 3rd time then try and get my money back in england.

when a doctor is trying to charge you alot of money when u r already struggling with this financall crisis. might be good to look for common sense. the fact is i had the feeling that the hospital had the attidude that my girl friend should not care because the forang is paying. luck for me my bird looks after me and is not out there to rip me off.

[koheesti]

12k? A year ago a friend's gf OD'd on paracetamol (50+ tablets), she was unconscious - basically in a coma - they kept her overnight and it cost 25k. Not sure which hospital it was.

EDIT: I don't think it was Bangkok Samui Int'l because they lived in Bangrak and and BSI would be the furthest away.

Edited May 9, 2009 by koheesti

[BigC]

12k? A year ago a friend's gf OD'd on paracetamol (50+ tablets), she was unconscious - basically in a coma - they kept her overnight and it cost 25k. Not sure which hospital it was.

me and you need to have a talk. why do we drive our birds into over doses ??? i ain; that bad to her

[Mark Wolfe]

MM:

...an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of flesh.

Ha! Very Homer Simpsonesque....

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

-- Benjamin Franklin

"This kindness will I show.

Go with me to a notary, seal me there

Your single bond, and, in a merry sport,

If you repay me not on such a day,

In such a place, such sum or sums as are

Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit

Be nominated for an equal pound

Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken

In what part of your body pleaseth me."

-- Shylock to Bassanio in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice

BigC:

also i have stop getting inssurence now becuase the hospitals in thailand have a reputation of over charging a rippping the inssurence companies.

The charges to the insurance companies is a matter between the hospitals and the companies. You are covered to whatever amount you signed on for regardless of whether the hospital is an expensive one or a cheaper one. Even taking into account what you wrote, with insurance you paid once out of three visits; without insurance you would be paying the full amount all three times. Seems like insurance is wise.

my g/f went into bangkok hospital samui because i thought she had taken and mistaken over dose.

What was taken and what made you think it was an overdose?

koheesti:

A year ago a friend's gf OD'd on paracetamol (50+ tablets)...

How bizarre. What was that about? Most of the paracetamol here is sold in blister packs, which would entail ripping open lot of pills = lots of time (to consider what one was doing). Or was this some big bottle full of them? Who keeps so many aspirins (which is basically what these are, like ibuprofen) in the house?

*****************

I read all this and wonder if there is some sort of ...and I am not sure of the right terms here...an ethics or standards board (presumably in Bangkok) to which one might appeal for redress for what appears to be price gouging and a policy of encouraging unnecessary treatments or hospital stays? Granted of course that for every negative post here, there are probably thousands of satisfied customers at the hospitals, there still must be some oversight body governing this.

[Rooo]

I got admitted to Bangkok Samui hospital 3 yers ago, with difficulty breathing.Was asked to stay 3 days in ICU,with oxygen tubes in my nose.

Before checking out, they asked me to see their ear & nose specialist,who determined that I had severe sinus infection.

Now out of that bill for 96,000Bht, 36,000 Bht was for oxygen that I couldn't breath.

[koheesti]

koheesti:

A year ago a friend's gf OD'd on paracetamol (50+ tablets)...

How bizarre. What was that about? Most of the paracetamol here is sold in blister packs, which would entail ripping open lot of pills = lots of time (to consider what one was doing). Or was this some big bottle full of them? Who keeps so many aspirins (which is basically what these are, like ibuprofen) in the house?

Don't quit your day job, Sherlock.

Upon your own admission, not all paracetamol tablets are sold in blister packs so it's perfectly plausible that they had a bottle of them. As for who keeps so many aspirin in the house...