Bangkok Hospital Udon Thani

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Bangkok Hospital Udon Thani

Post by bumper » October 11, 2012, 6:30 pm

They are doing surgery on my friend at Bangkok Hospital



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Post by pienmash » October 11, 2012, 9:34 pm

I wouldnt allow this place to do an autopsy on me never mind an op when im copus mentus !!!

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Post by hermajesty » October 11, 2012, 10:13 pm

Interesting on that, Bumper.

I had a consult at BKK Hospital today and they do laparoscopic there and they quoted me prices, never mentioning they are not currently doing surgery. Obviously they are. I was impressed with the service there, not impressed with the wait/organization of appointments. One nurse spoke English quite well and others tried. I had 2 follow up phone calls from staff, as well, to check on my experience and if I had my questions answered etc...

Having been to hospitals in the Philippines and India, I am very grateful for this level of service here. It could be so much worse.

HM

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Post by bumper » October 12, 2012, 9:46 am

Language make Contact with John, he is the international Rep and speaks great English.

I experienced the same thing with the staff. But, I also had the same experience at AEK. Their international reps speak very good English.

Dr's in both hospital I met spoke English.

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Post by hermajesty » October 23, 2012, 6:17 pm

I did consultations at AEK, (not an option; did not like doc) Bkk and Military.

Mil is literally 1/4 the price of Bkk for exact same procedure.

Military hospital is a little uncomfortable for seeing doc but patient care facility is amazingly nice! I don't think there is nicer. I mean, I don't think they can really make it nicer. I think doc is sufficient.

Am I crazy to consider price? I think the care will be about equal....?? I think maybe the skill of the doc at BKK is a bit better, maybe, but it's a very common, basic surgery. Nothing fancy or special. And, I am not sure it is. They are similar in age.

HM

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Post by hermajesty » October 24, 2012, 11:00 am

I just returned from a pre-op visit to the Fort Prajak, aka Military, hospital. I was still on the fence this morning but had the appointment so I went and committed to it. I am really impressed. The staff has been very good, the hospital is clean if a bit tattered. At the blood lab a woman came out to talk to me about the blood supply in Thailand and how they test it etc... She spoke excellent English (the only one who spoke English for me today but that's ok).

I am now happy that I did decide this way. So far at least! I was done in just over an hour. Nothing took too long. The cafeteria looked clean and it seemed one might be able to get some good food there. I got an excellent iced coffee! The hospital has a peaceful feel to it and is orderly and efficient. Everyone was so nice.

I guess the next post will be post op! (oy).

HM

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Post by parrot » October 24, 2012, 11:59 am

Thanks for the input. We've known several Thais who have had operations at the military hospital.....private rooms are clean and quiet. Staff seems to be as attentive as anywhere else. 7-11 and a variety of small shops directly across the street. Large food court just to the right of the parking lot along the main road.
Hope all goes well with the operation. Look forward to your post-op report.

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Post by bumper » October 24, 2012, 2:06 pm

Well we now have two recent experiences with the New hospital now. My friend that was hit by a truck on his bike. Was in really bad shape, thought for sure we would be going to a funeral on that one. He has numerous injuries to include a skull fracture and broken shoulder. He was transported to Bangkok Hospital, the ambulance crew was excellent. Within hours he was in surgery with a team of doctors. One week later he went home, in heck of a lot of pain. But, alive.

His injuries were so significant that his medical insurance would not cover it all. The did the surgery and waited on the cash from the family. No deposit was required before treatment.

My wife will be released sometime this evening, she has a chronic sinus problem. The ENT doctors are moonlighting at the moment from Udon Hospital. If she has to have a surgery it won't be done at Bangkok Hospital as they don''t have the equipment there at the moment. That I'll no more about this evening.

She has AIA insurance, no deposit has been requested of her at all. She has had first class treatment.

Some where along the line someone suggested that you really check the exclusions on your Medical Insurance. I had BUPA Platinum, I did check it found out I wasn't covered for a pace maker, difibulator, or Chemo Therapy. Well old folke if not killed in an accident would care about that sort of thing.

Someone else suggested contacting Peter at:

AA INSURANCE BROKERS CO., LTD.

565 / 62 Moo 10 (Next to Big C South Pattaya)

Nong Prue,

Banglamung,

Chonburi 20260

Tel: 038 415 795-6

Fax: 038 374 251.

I didn't think much of it a I'm 65 and thought my options were over they were not. Through Peter I Found April Expat. No such exclusions cost about $1,000 more a year, But a million dollars in coverage annualy.

I then contacted Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok to confirm they would accept the company. They are on their approved list. If you have a 24 hour stay, you submit the bills to the Insurance Company for reembursment

. If your stay over 24 hours, they pay directly to the hospital. I don't carry insurance for outpatient only inpatient. The small stuff I don't worry about.

So all in all this has turned out very well for me. To me this is the real value of the forum, our community helping each other.

If surgery is required I will look in the Military Hospital.

So I would rate the care at Bangkok Hospital in Udon as good as any I have seen here. I be happy to see them finished renovations and ready to do business a normal.

I have nothing against Udon Hospital, it's just a night mare getting in and out of there.

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Post by udonmum » October 25, 2012, 10:38 am

We have only ever been to Aek Udon for treatment (all minor health problems) - treated once for a bad stomach myself and apart from that things for my 4 year old son - about 4-5 vaccinations, chest infections etc. I have always thought it was fine.

However my most recent experiences of a vaccination for my son have changed my view slightly. We took him in for a Japanese Encephalitis vaccination a while ago. But soon after he got a small red bump which slowly grew bigger. We probably should have checked it out before (I did have a quick look online and it did say it was a symptom of this vaccination (Japanese Encephalitis) so we left it longer than we would have done otherwise (with hindsight maybe it was bad idea to check online but this has helped with lots of other minor problems in the past and of course I used a reliable website)

Anyway we took him back to Aek Udon paediatrics yesterday and straight away they saw that something was wrong and said that it was an abscess. They took him down to the A&E (I think - it said Emergency deparment) and a doctor lanced the abscess. I asked him what the cause was - he said it was almost certain that the skin was not cleaned properly and went on to demonstrate how many nurses touch the cotton wool swab all over or squeeze it out before wiping the skin. He said that ideally they should use tongs or if they used their hands, they should wash them immediately before and not touch the surface of the swab that would touch the skin. I don;t think he knew the vaccination had been done at Aek Udon as he was being surprisingly open and honest (eg saying 'I always tell nurses not to touch the swab but they still do as they think it's ok and there aren't usually any problems' - he said they only get 4-5 cases a year of abscess after injection but it should be 0 with correct hygiene!!). And then he asked where we had got the vaccination so I told him it was here!! I asked him if he could confirm the reason for the abscess and he said he'd test a swab and would know in about 5 days what the cause was, though he again said he was 99% sure it was due to uncleanliness.

Despite his admission that it was most likely the hospital's fault, they went on to present us with a bill for 3000 baht, this included medicine and some supplies for changing the dressing, plus we will have some additional charges as we need to go back to the hospital to change the dressing (at least for the first few days so they can keep an eye on it) plus the doctor said we need to come back for a follow up appointment in a week and she recommended one extra check in between, so easily a few more thousand - probably 5-6000baht total. To be fair they did (after my husband had argued with them for about 15 minutes - he is Thai by the way but i think he has higher expectations that many Thais as he was in the UK for 7 years hence the big scene!!) agree to fill in a refund form but the receptionist on the paediatrics ward seemed very reluctant to do this. And I can undertsand they need to get it authorised (and see results) and can;t just give free treatment away that easily but I was pretty shocked at how reluctant they were especially when we told her that the doctor had said it was most likely caused by the hospital. We are on a Thai income (not expat income) so it's still a fairly big amount for something that wasn't our fault. And there was me thinking they should refund the original 1000 baht or so for the vaccination due to their incompetence!!!

Anyway we will wait and see what happens but it has totally changed my view of Aek Udon and to be honest, any hospital here. If the doctor knows that this can cause infection and tells nurses not to do it but they still go ahead that doesn't give me much faith in any hospital. The paediatrics doctor told me that the nurses don;t use tongs but should wash their hands before cleaning the skin for vaccinations - I told her that this is not enough as the nurse will most likely touch something else before she touches the cotton wool swab but she seemed to think that this was sufficient (whereas the A&E doctor said they should use tongs) Presumably it is to save money! Fair enough to say 'this is Thailand' like my mother in law did but then Aek udon shouldn't call itself an International Hospital if it doesn't intend to maintain any international standards. Sorry if I sound rude or patronising about Thai healthcare (and I don't expect everything to run the same way as it does in the UK) but I have always been told about its excellent quality and up to now had believed it - but if they are not bothered about details like this then i worry about how seriously they take other aspects of medical care and hygiene. Maybe people are just referring to the bigger areas such as bangkok and other tourist areas?? It certainly makes me appreciate the NHS - at least if they make a mistake and infect you they do it for free (and also fix it for free) ;)

Sorry for the rant but it just happened yesterday so it is very fresh in my mind!! :mad:

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Post by jimboLV » October 25, 2012, 11:39 am

Hello mum, welcome to the forum. When I lived in Udon we always used AEK. My daughter was born there and we were very satisfied with the quality of care. Also I was treated for a broken collar bone and had to go back for several days to get the wound cleaned and the dressing changed. The nurses always used tongs and washed her hands. This was about a year ago, so maybe things have changed.

Are you aware that children under the age of five are treated free in the government hospitals? We were taking my two year old daughter to a local clinic and really liked the doctor. One time she developed a fever and was not feeling well, and the clinic was only opened at 6 PM. So we went to the local hospital and there was her regular pediatrician. She checked her over and prescribed some medication. When we left I went to the cashier to pay the bill and she said "no charge for children under five". My wife confirmed this. We are in a different province, so this may not apply to Udon province, but would be worth checking it out.

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Post by bumper » October 25, 2012, 12:43 pm

We ran into a bit of a problem at Bangkok Hospital at check out time. When they faxed the bill to the Insurance Company. After a two hour wait I went and checked on things. That is when they found out it didn't go through, it was still sitting in the FAX machine. It's Thailand stuff happens.

I felt two hours was a reasonable period. So I called John and arranged to go home and pay the co-pay the following morning. So no complaints.

One thing I would caution everyone about at AEK or Bangkok Hospital. Have the doctor write out the prescriptions take it to your own Pharmacy. Much less expensive.

Does anyone know if there is a ENT Doctor at military hospital?

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Post by papaguido » October 25, 2012, 1:12 pm

bumper wrote:
Does anyone know if there is a ENT Doctor at military hospital?
I think most if not all ENT's work in the big hospitals while managing their own clinics. I've been to 3 of the four listed on the map. I had positive results with the ENT on the upper end of Phosi rd. I have no experience with the ENT nearer the lower end of Phosi, but usually busy, especially when requiring treatment.

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Post by parrot » October 25, 2012, 3:02 pm

There is an ENT clinic at the hospital.....second building, second floor. According to the hospital's website at http://www.kpjhospital.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=35
พ.จตุพร (Dr Jatuporn)
พ.ปริฉัตร (Dr Prechad)
พ.วิภาดา (Dr Wepada)
(doctor names in English spellings are all mine......and may not be accurate)

The last column of the webpage shows clinic times for ENT as M-F 9-12.

If you decide to go, please pass on your impressions with the service/cost/etc.

Directly across from the ENT clinic is a hearing test center with a technician from a hearing aid company located in Bangkok. He can administer hearing tests and fit for a hearing aid. I had one of my hearing aids repaired through him.......cost 300 baht which included shipping to Bangkok and back....all within a week.

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Post by bumper » October 25, 2012, 3:50 pm

We will give a try probably tomorrow, Bangkok Hospital does not have the proper equipment yet It;s on order and expected within the next few months.

I finally got my hearing claim approved

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Post by hermajesty » October 25, 2012, 4:24 pm

Udonmum, I am so sorry to hear about that! It's one thing to have that happen to anyone but when it's your kid....watch out! I will add "tweezers" to my watch list on injections!

AEK gave me the wrong shot, when I went in to get the CORRECT one they charged me for everything. It wasn't much, I just paid it but... yeah NOT right!

By the way, when ever you get an injection (even in your home country) you should always confirm with nurse giving it, what is being given. People make mistakes. I had to get a series of injections recently and have been asking but the one time I did not, it was incorrect (I know because the reaction or lack of it that I had). This time, I think the pharmacy made the mistake but we don't really know.

Ok, what I haven't revealed about Wattana was when I went in thinking I had a sinus issue (I didn't, it turned out; ENT at AEK treated me sufficiently later) I had to lay down on an exam table (I think it was fully pleather/plastic) and above my head was a big spider and web. I found it slightly fascinating but also revealing about cleanliness. I didn't get the treatment I needed but doc was not ENT to be fair. The spider web was enough for me to question cleanliness. I was just not impressed.

HM

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Post by bumper » October 26, 2012, 12:29 pm

Well my first trip to the Military Hospital. I have to say I was very impressed. The place is the cleanest hospital I have seen in Udon. Since we went to see the ENT for my wife, the wait was no longer then any other hospital I have been to here.

The Doctor spent about 30 mins with my wife asking questions. We had Xray's and the MRI report with us he went over that with my wife. He did a minor exam. We have to go back next week. so he can review her medication. I was impressed his attitude is we will do this step by step. He didn't just through meds at it which is what we have experienced over the years of this going on.

I noticed that he had very modern and sofisticated equipment in his office.

The cost for the visit was zero, not one satang. Doesn't get more reasonable then that.

The staff that we met on the visit were very kind and curtious. Only down side I can see is no much English spoken. But they tried their best in talking with me. They don't have Typhsis vaccine available.

So color me one happy camper. =D>

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Post by semperfiguy » October 26, 2012, 2:39 pm

bumper wrote:Well my first trip to the Military Hospital. I have to say I was very impressed. The place is the cleanest hospital I have seen in Udon. Since we went to see the ENT for my wife, the wait was no longer then any other hospital I have been to here.

The Doctor spent about 30 mins with my wife asking questions. We had Xray's and the MRI report with us he went over that with my wife. He did a minor exam. We have to go back next week. so he can review her medication. I was impressed his attitude is we will do this step by step. He didn't just through meds at it which is what we have experienced over the years of this going on.

I noticed that he had very modern and sofisticated equipment in his office.

The cost for the visit was zero, not one satang. Doesn't get more reasonable then that.

The staff that we met on the visit were very kind and curtious. Only down side I can see is no much English spoken. But they tried their best in talking with me. They don't have Typhsis vaccine available.

So color me one happy camper. =D>
Bumper, did you have to get in the que to see the general practitioner first, who in turn sent you to see a specialist, or were you able to go directly to the office of the specialist?
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Post by bumper » October 26, 2012, 5:20 pm

Nope straight to the ENT doctor.

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Post by rct » November 13, 2012, 4:01 pm

My wife had some bad som tam Sunday night, so Monday morning to Bangkok Hospital Udon and she was in very bad shape, admitted for a one night stay in nice private room and IV treatment, 24 hours later she was fine and the bill presented was 180 baht for the portion of the doctor's fee not covered by our BUPA insurance. My wife paid cash (usually I tell her to charge anything medical on visa) and we were given the receipt folded inside an envelope.

I immediately opened the envelope wanting to review the entire bill, and it was only a receipt for the 180 baht.

So I chased the gal down the hall, and asked her to return and give us a copy of the complete bill. Almost 20,000 baht. Though apparently insurance covered almost all.

Side note, at 23h30 last night there was an electric short in the next room causing smoke and thus fiire alarms to go off, my wife felt like the staff did NOT know how to deal with the situation, so hopefully they will do more training on this. And of course the temporary construction noise all day.

*****
Question to Dear Abby:
My wife is very upset we did not sleep in the room with her (daddy, plus two very energetic kids age 3 and 5), I felt best that she stay alone after our evening visit, and we returned at 06h00 to see her again before I took kids to school at 07h30, which is what we did. Believe me the kids were bouncing off the walls during our visit. She will never forgive me that we did not stay in the room all night, to the point that I had to promise that next time no matter what, we will lay a mat on the floor and stay with her. Though if it is me in the bed, no way, I want to sleep and recover in peace, take the kids to sleep at home.

Reminds me of the song
"Should I stay or should I go now, if I stay it will be trouble, and if I go it will be double."

With young kids, do Thais ALWAYS stay in the hospital room with a sick mommy or daddy?

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Post by trubrit » November 13, 2012, 4:36 pm

rct wrote:
.

*****


With young kids, do Thais ALWAYS stay in the hospital room with a sick mommy or daddy?
Sure do. That's why a private room normally includes somewhere to sleep for a carer, not the kids though .One of my family just had a baby in a room there and the breakfast was served for two people, so they expect it.
That sure was an expensive somtum. :-"
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