| I went on the Internet and found a site called Health
Care Direct. It is an English company but they arrange operations in other
countries. They can do everything. The cost includes 11 days in hospital.
You arrive on a Tuesday and are given a simple test for
MRSA*, this involves a swab test up the nose
and one in the throat. I was then free to do as I wanted. My husband and
I had accommodation at the hospital in the B & B section.
The next day I was seen by the surgeon and x-ray's taken. We discussed my
problem and surgery was set for the next morning. I was admitted to the hospital
at 3.00 p.m. that afternoon and was given chest x-ray's, EKG, blood work
and a medical check.
Surgery was performed first thing the next morning and I was back in my room
by early afternoon, I elected to have an epidural which, I found a lot better.
I had three days of pain but was well medicated. Rehab started the day after
surgery and continued until I left 9 days later.
I was treated like royalty, only two patients to a room, all the staff spoke
English and could not do enough for me. The hospital and it's staff were
spotlessly clean, all equipment was the most up to date and the doctors were
wonderful. If I had needed intensive care or blood transfusion it was include
in the price. As I said all this for 8,700 Euros which is about $11,000.00.
It makes you wonder how America can charge the prices that they do. I had
one example to compare. When I got back, I brought some blood thinners from
Belgium which cost me about $35 for ten. I went to the doctor here and got
a prescription for another ten, I had the shock of my life when they wanted
$840 for the ten. How can this be? It's the same dose, same drug, somebody
is getting very rich in this country and isn't you or me.
I am sold on Belgium, that's where I am going should I need another hip,
my husband is full of praise for them too, even he was well treated while
he was with me.
P.S. Belgium has the lowest rate of secondary infections in the world, about
0.05% they do not suffer with MRSA because they test first.
If you need anymore info let me know, I almost forgot, you can also pay for
your operation on a credit plan, just see their website.
Regards,
Angela
* Staph Infections, if detected by tests are
not denied treatment, however they are isolated and treated to protect the
rest of the patients. Their site claims they have NEVER had one of their
hip replacement patients develop any such infections.( note added
by webmaster )
http://direct-healthcare.com/ |
