Strange experience at a well known Chiang Mai hospital

[JulieM]

Two nights ago I was experiencing minor chest pains, and, as a precaution, I went to what is probably the best known and most expensive hospital in town. This was around 1 AM.

Not a single doctor was available at the emergency room. They suggested I go to another hospital but I didn't want to as my cardiologist and my records (I've had surgery there twice) were located at that hospital.

It sounds like I need a new place that offers guaranteed 24/7 service. Suggestions appreciated.

[Gonzo the Face]

This would not be a situation of name and shame, but could be a life threatening instance. I think you should mention the name of the hospital. It just may save someones life. If your facts are all as stated, then name the hospital. i wouldn't want to go to an emergency room that was not staffed.

[anon467848]

OP I'm guessing that the hospital you are talking is the (male sheep) ... very worrying not to have cardio doctor on call at A&E in the evening

The most expensive hospital in CNX would be the Bangkok Hospital on the superhighway

[Dante99]

Hope you are okay Julie.

Regrettable situation. Don't they have Cardio unit trucks which available 24/7 or are they only 9 to 5 ?

Perhaps a talk with the top management is called for. Maybe the staff you spoke with were misinformed or covering for somebody/something.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Dante99

[SantiSuk]

I was in a new international hospital in Ubon for treatment until yesterday. At midnight Tuesday I had my first ever taccychardia (fast heart beat - at 160 permin). Somehow I sensed it wasn't a heart attack but after 5 minutes I wanted a quick confirmation of that and told my wife and pressed the bell. Nurses came quickly but looked a bit fazed - kept running in and out - bought a monitor which beeped loudly and fast and quickly went into alarm mode - increasing concern from nurses and panic from wife - we are now 10 minutes in. Nurse emerges with phone in ear and book of doctor numbers, spends 5-10 minutes trying to get the doctor, who had been treating me, on the line - meanwhile I'm frantically googling "rapid heart beat" and "anaphylactic shock" on my laptop - only moment of professionalism came when nurse looking over my shoulder at the anaphylactic shock results said "no - not that".

So 15-20 mins into the episode doctor advises over phone - not life threatening, probable cause - using nebulised processes (oxygen-delivered antibiotics) today. 10 minutes later proper doctor arrives with ECG kit and gives a confirmation I could trust. By then I was normal again anyway.

Full report (facts only, including other problems there, good points and hospital name) will be posting on Isaan/Ubon thread later today. Waiting for final comment from the hospital's lung consultant. I had spent one hour briefing her on my condition 2 weeks previously, so that if I needed to come in for treatment at short notice I would get skilled care, or at least some record of my condition and a note on important handling points. When I came round from a day of horrific fevers I 'Line' messaged her to ask why she had not come in and why I was being treated by someone who did not understand anything of the condition*. 36 hours later I got a "sorry you feel" message and "can I do anything"?

All's well that ends well. The Ubon hospital did at least choose a decent antibi and after 3 days I'm back on an even keel. As always the people were lovely.

Turning it back to a local flavor, I have come across an admirable lung unit in Thailand. It's at Sripat/Chiang Mai University. Road report somewhere back in CM forum

*Bronchiectasis, a non life-threatening lung complaint that gives regular and occasionally unpleasant infection exacerbations that need to be assessed by quick pre antibi sputum taking and thorough analysis to maximise treatment efficacy. Got none of that.

Edited September 24, 2015 by SantiSuk

[chingmai331]

I guess you are OK now. That's good. But somehow i fail to appreciate the seriousness of the situation when you lie on the Emergency room gurney , beepers blasting and nurses scurrying while you google your own body functions desperately wondering what shall the diagnosis be. Surely by now there must be an APP stored in the I- phone which, when phone placed on chest, will give immediate read-out of 'dead/alive'.

Did you post any facecrap photos of the ER docs?

[JulieM]

This would not be a situation of name and shame, but could be a life threatening instance. I think you should mention the name of the hospital. It just may save someones life. If your facts are all as stated, then name the hospital. i wouldn't want to go to an emergency room that was not staffed.

Gonzo, good point. It was Chiang Mai RAM.

Edited September 24, 2015 by JulieM

[JulieM]

Hope you are okay Julie.

Regrettable situation. Don't they have Cardio unit trucks which available 24/7 or are they only 9 to 5 ?

Perhaps a talk with the top management is called for. Maybe the staff you spoke with were misinformed or covering for somebody/something.

There is indeed a "heart attack" hotline number. It was stored in my old phone which died. I'm sure I can find it with a google search.

I didn't call that number since I was quite certain I was not having a heart attack. The pains came and went very, very quickly, and my doctor said a heart attack pain could last for 1+ minutes.

[JulieM]

OP I'm guessing that the hospital you are talking is the (male sheep) ... very worrying not to have cardio doctor on call at A&E in the evening

The most expensive hospital in CNX would be the Bangkok Hospital on the superhighway

Thanks for this. I've heard of them and will check them out.

[fang37]

I found RAM excellent in case of an emergency. An operation was performed that night - midnight?

Not cheap - DAMN EXPENSIVE. But necessary.

The orthopedic surgeon was employed at a government hospital during the day.

[uptheos]

Glad you're OK Julie

Just out of curiosity for all readers.

If you thought you were suffering a Heart Attack or Stroke, where would you want to be taken immediately and why?

[SantiSuk]

I guess you are OK now. That's good. But somehow i fail to appreciate the seriousness of the situation when you lie on the Emergency room gurney , beepers blasting and nurses scurrying while you google your own body functions desperately wondering what shall the diagnosis be. Surely by now there must be an APP stored in the I- phone which, when phone placed on chest, will give immediate read-out of 'dead/alive'.

Did you post any facecrap photos of the ER docs?

Ha ha - nice one

As it 'appens .... the doctor who eventually turned up was a ladyboy and as she stared down enquiringly into my eyes, with more than a hint of flirt, i thought 'my god I've been here 10 years and finally I fancy a ladyboy'. I shall now proceed to make my first fulfilled encounter with the third sex.

[True until the last sentence]

[uptheos]

I guess you are OK now. That's good. But somehow i fail to appreciate the seriousness of the situation when you lie on the Emergency room gurney , beepers blasting and nurses scurrying while you google your own body functions desperately wondering what shall the diagnosis be. Surely by now there must be an APP stored in the I- phone which, when phone placed on chest, will give immediate read-out of 'dead/alive'.

Did you post any facecrap photos of the ER docs?

Ha ha - nice one

As it 'appens .... the doctor who eventually turned up was a ladyboy and as she stared down enquiringly into my eyes, with more than a hint of flirt, i thought 'my god I've been here 10 years and finally I fancy a ladyboy'. I shall now proceed to make my first fulfilled encounter with the third sex.

[True until the last sentence]

You mean it won't be your first fulfilled encounter?

[NancyL]

Glad you're OK Julie

Just out of curiosity for all readers.

If you thought you were suffering a Heart Attack or Stroke, where would you want to be taken immediately and why?

If you think you're suffering a heart attack or stroke and it's at all convenient, the best place to go would be the emergency room at University Hospital on Suthep Rd -- known as Suan Dok Hospital or Maharaj Hospital. They have doctors in the E/R 24/7 -- at least resident doctors and they are very good at responding to life-threatening emergencies. They can get higher level doctors in quickly and they have the appropriate equipment at the ready.

Once you're stabilized, you can be admitted to Sripat Hospital, the private hospital that is part of the University Hospital complex or to Suan Dok hospital, the economically priced government hospital. The same emergency room serves both hospitals.

Other hospitals in the area may not have the appropriate equipment, personnel or drugs at hand to help you and minutes count when you're having a Heart Attack or Stroke.

[Mapguy]

I agree with NancyL. Once, asking a physician in town about emergency services comparing Ram and Maharaj, he advised that Maharaj would indeed be the best option. No physician on duty at Ram at 1am? That is really surprising. That's definitely worth notice to the hospital administrator. It is not my experience on two late-night visits, but the docs were not cardiologists.

Since treatment for heart attacks is very important within the first 90 minutes, Ram, despite all its advertising (and its excellent cardiologists) certainly seems the wrong choice unless procedurally they act with dispatch with correct protocols while summoning a specialist.

I'd really like to know how well-equipped Ram's purpose-rigged ambulances are for approproate treatment en route to the hospital. Anyone have experience to share?

[uptheos]

Glad you're OK Julie

Just out of curiosity for all readers.

If you thought you were suffering a Heart Attack or Stroke, where would you want to be taken immediately and why?

If you think you're suffering a heart attack or stroke and it's at all convenient, the best place to go would be the emergency room at University Hospital on Suthep Rd -- known as Suan Dok Hospital or Maharaj Hospital. They have doctors in the E/R 24/7 -- at least resident doctors and they are very good at responding to life-threatening emergencies. They can get higher level doctors in quickly and they have the appropriate equipment at the ready.

Once you're stabilized, you can be admitted to Sripat Hospital, the private hospital that is part of the University Hospital complex or to Suan Dok hospital, the economically priced government hospital. The same emergency room serves both hospitals.

Other hospitals in the area may not have the appropriate equipment, personnel or drugs at hand to help you and minutes count when you're having a Heart Attack or Stroke.

+1

[thaiduncankk]

I found RAM excellent in case of an emergency. An operation was performed that night - midnight?

Not cheap - DAMN EXPENSIVE. But necessary.

The orthopedic surgeon was employed at a government hospital during the day.

A lot of the doctors are employed at government hospitals, but the difference in price at the private

hospitals is astronomical.

Medication too.

[JulieM]

Sripat sounds great as it is also close. I have quite of bit of health insurance, and my provider (BUPA) has paid out everytime. 170,000 baht in the last 12 months. Good on them.

[Just1Voice]

The only way you would get me back into Ram was if I had a life threatening accident on their front steps. 4 year ago I was struck by a car and suffered a broken clavicle. Wife took me to Ram. They did x-rays, then told me they would have to insert a screw, which they did. Except after they did that, I couldn't raise my right arm more than halfway. Went to Chiang Mai Orthopedic Hospital. They took x-rays, then asked: "Why did they put a screw in. It wasn't needed." They couldn't figure that out. Decided to go for 2nd opinion. Off to McCormic. Same scenario. Same question. "Why did they put a screw in. It wasn't needed." McCormic took the screw out that afternoon, and low and behold, I had full range of motion in my arm again.

On top of that, the morning after Ram put the screw in, I suffered a pinched sciatic nerve in my right leg. Absolutely one of the most painful things I've ever experienced in my life. The doctors there had NO CLUE, and said I was suffering from "muscle cramps". Again, it took a neurologist from McCormic to figure out what was wrong, and how to treat it.

Ram? They can ram it up their backsides as far as I'm concerned.

[mesquite]

This is quite disconcerting to me, as I have always assumed the best move in case of chest pain would be to go to the hospital JulieM did. Thanks, NancyL for the heads up on the alternative.

[jonwilly]

Oh my Buddha,

and I have an op booked at RAM on 27th.

Mind you they have done 4 others well, for me in the past.

Trust Dr Benikt and his steady knife, he's only chopping my parts most private.

john

[fang37]

Chiang Mai Orthopedic Hospital?

Is that part of Chiang Mai University?

If not, address & telephone?

I have had an operation for a broken leg. It is not healing as it should (as per opinion of my o/seas doctor).

[Tywais]

I would suggest contacting them via e-mail, they are good at responding, and ask what hours do they have cardio doctors available for emergency treatment. Bit surprised too that there are none as they have a nice van with heart signs all over it boasting cardio services. I think many of us would like to know if we can rely upon them or not. Obviously not in JulieM's case. Perhaps a list of 24/7 cardio units in Chiang Mai would be a good idea.

[Tywais]

Oh my Buddha,

and I have an op booked at RAM on 27th.

Mind you they have done 4 others well, for me in the past.

Trust Dr Benikt and his steady knife, he's only chopping my parts most private.

john

As they say, it's the doctor not the hospital that's important.

[Oscar2]

Oh my Buddha,

and I have an op booked at RAM on 27th.

Mind you they have done 4 others well, for me in the past.

Trust Dr Benikt and his steady knife, he's only chopping my parts most private.

john

As they say, it's the doctor not the hospital that's important.

have complete faith in Dr. Bannakit. he's the best!

[Ianatlarge]

Cannot offer advice, but best wishes for your health.

[fred Kubasa]

I WAS a client of the most well known and expensive private Hospital in

Pattaya for 11 years, thought they did every thing well but found, after

having been robbed and mugged,the emergency room doctor was a FORENSIC

physician which I believe specialize in dead people ! I was in bad conditionnot DEAD but the treatment rendered could have left me that way.

On reflection I realized I had been impressed by the hospital building,

the scultured grounds, well attired and good looking staff, in other words,

it was, combined, a perception of good medical care but, after,some

40 visits and a few hundred thousand Baht,I realized it was nothing more

then a rotating appointment making/prescription/pill reliant doctor's place I am no longer a patient there.

[cyberfarang]

I found RAM excellent in case of an emergency. An operation was performed that night - midnight?

Not cheap - DAMN EXPENSIVE. But necessary.

The orthopedic surgeon was employed at a government hospital during the day.

A lot of the doctors are employed at government hospitals, but the difference in price at the private

hospitals is astronomical.

Medication too.

There are some good government hospitals but these don`t always have as good facilities as the private hospitals.

[akentryan]

Here is an off topic narrative but illustrates how the attention given depends on many things. I had some kind of serious ear infection causing one side of my head to become severely swollen and very painful. I went to two hospitals and could not see a specialist at one and the other could not see me for two days. My sister-in-law's father is an MD but retired from public practice to become the staff doctor at Singha Brewery. He said to me "I'll take care of it". Thirty minutes later I was in front of the best Ear Specialist in Bangkok. He treated me, meaning he gave me a prescription for antibiotics and pain and sent me on my way. The In-law MD was not happy that nothing was done to drain the ear and bring down the swelling so thirty minutes later I was back in front of the same specialist for "further treatment". My In-law MD was from the south of Thailand. When he came to Bangkok for university studies and med school he was accompanied by his best friend and roommate. The best friend turned out to be General Prem and he was instrumental in getting me taken care of. Unfortunately I did not get to meet Gen Prem until the funeral rites for my In-law MD. Many funny turns on the road of life.

[mankondang]

I agree with NancyL. Once, asking a physician in town about emergency services comparing Ram and Maharaj, he advised that Maharaj would indeed be the best option. No physician on duty at Ram at 1am? That is really surprising. That's definitely worth notice to the hospital administrator. It is not my experience on two late-night visits, but the docs were not cardiologists.

Since treatment for heart attacks is very important within the first 90 minutes, Ram, despite all its advertising (and its excellent cardiologists) certainly seems the wrong choice unless procedurally they act with dispatch with correct protocols while summoning a specialist.

I'd really like to know how well-equipped Ram's purpose-rigged ambulances are for approproate treatment en route to the hospital. Anyone have experience to share?

From personal experience I have found both the Ram emergency coronary ambulance, the doctors and coronary care emergency unit personnel, inc the ICU, provided an excellent, late night service. More expensive than some other less equipped CM hospitals, but compared to my hosbital in Australia, much more efficient and very much less expensive. As for Suan Doc, my gf, who works for the government and normally gets subsidized cost, went there Sunday PM. Was told she had to be addmited. The only test she was given was one off blood test. I had to, because of hospital regulations, stay with her throughout. Two nights, later she was told she had a mild migraine and discharged. Cost 12,500 Bhat, no government refund, as the doctor said that this part part of the building was not Suan Doc - Siri Pat (sp). Anyone going there please qualify that you are in the Suan Doc - Siri Pat before proceeding. Oh, the hospital gave no quote, but could see I was a farang?

In fairness to the real Suan Doc - Siri Pat wing of the hospital, my same gf had a breast tumor removed one year ago. Hospitalized to 6 nights, good treatment, at a quarter of the cost, 90% government subsidized.

Edited September 24, 2015 by mankondang