Popular Post Dave Hounddriver Posted September 18, 2014 Popular Post Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) I've always wondered what would really happen if I showed up at a Philippine hospital emergency room and now I know. On Sunday night I had a chronic ailment start to act up in a bad way. By 2 am I had bled out about a pint of what seemed to be mainly blood from intestinal bleeding and it was getting worse. So I went to Silliman Medical Center (Dumaguete) emergency room at 2:30 am on Monday morning. The emergency room is very good by Philippine standards. I was not asked for money in advance but I was asked if I had insurance and how I planned to pay. I said cash and credit card. No problem, I was very well treated. But the bleeding out continued and by 8 am I was passing out and feverish and my bp was down to 80/50 so a few different doctors examined me, admitted me, and proceeded to give me a 'shotgun treatment' designed to deal with all probable causes of the non stop bleeding. Something worked. After a battery of tests, over 3 days, they diagnosed, treated, and solved the problem. I got a LOT of tests. From echocardiogram through ultrasounds of stomach and bowels, up to and including colonoscopy with many, many other tests thrown into the mix. I also got a pint of blood which was a real life saver and it was all the A+ the hospital had in stock so they asked me to find donors in case I needed more. That didn't turn out to be possible so it was fortunate that I did not need any more. I also found out that anyone under 50kg cannot donate so our filipina wives or gfs cannot donate. For the first day I was placed into a 6 patient ward. NOT fun, but there is limited space and it has become a popular hospital. Days 2 and 3 were in a private room in the older portion (best rooms available at the time). Once admitted, I had to have a 'watcher' and have her go out and find and pay cash in advance for all prescriptions. Some medicines were available at the hospital pharmacy but often she had to go to many different pharmacies to find what was needed, and they don't give you much notice (8:30 pm she had to go out to find medicine that was needed immediately and it took her until 10 pm to find it and get back with it. I was also required to pay cash in advance for the private room. I tried to have my 'watcher' take my credit card to the cashier but unless I was willing to give her my p.i.n. then they wanted cash. So . . bottom line . . all this cost me just under 20,000 pesos cash up front PLUS another 33,000 pesos final bill that I put on my credit card. I hope that information helps someone out there to plan their own emergency medical fund :-). But its not all bad. Just take a look at me in this picture and see if you think I was in too much pain. Edited September 18, 2014 by Dave Hounddriver 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Glad to hear you're ok. Are you home now? Good point about the blood, it doesn't matter how much insurance or money you have if they don't have it. I wonder what the Philhealth benefit would have been. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted September 18, 2014 Author Posted September 18, 2014 Are you home now? Yes, thanks. I will have to do a couple follow up visits but seems like I am back to normal. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyno 47 Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Take care Dave I think I would like to be admitted to that hospital . 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthdome Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Glad to hear you are doing well and that you found good quality emergency treatment. Your experience makes the point of living close enough to a quality hospital so you can get there in time if there is an emergency. That was one reason I picked Baguio. One hospital in Baguio has the best cardiac care on Luzon outside of Manila. Having had a heart attack 4 years ago resulting in degraded heart function that was important in my choice of where to live. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumper0155 Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 With an entourage like that, I have an idea where that pint of blood went to! :thumbsup: Glad that you are feeling better and wish you a speedy recovery! :dance: 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert k Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Glad to hear you are better Dave. :) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnMyWay Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Dave, good to hear you are doing well! It looks and sounds like you got good treatment! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyAway Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Good to hear you are ok as well. Now we all know you have a strong heart based on the photo! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hey Steve Posted September 18, 2014 Posted September 18, 2014 Good to know you're doing better-nice piture too on the care you are recieving. I understand you are only limited to 5 follow up visits though... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now