Who should patient complain to? or just shut up?

[bapak]

Situation is patient has had about 8 visits to Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin.. all with a satisfying result. And during this time, patient's prior medical history has been documented. This included a heart bypass, and 3 stents in the past 17 years.

On Friday, patient attended the Out Patient's Department, and following a discussion with a doctor, was prescribed medication. So off home with medication in hand, and as normal he goes on the internet to check the medication. What jumps out immediately .. do not use if you have any previous heart condition. Very, very dangerous. So pill have now been flushed down the toilet.

So the question is.. does patient go back to the hospital and try to have a polite word with the doctor? Or does he go tho hospital administration and complain? or ???

[bsdk1960]

in my opinion you should go to the management because if its that dangerous maybee the
next patients could be in danger..

[chaspul]

Bapak

Had a similar story about a year ago, referred from BK hosp HH, to BK hosp BK. Prescribed drugs that when we got home and researched, meant a different eating regime and lifestyle or could be fatal. Some were even contrary to pre conditions and allergies which the hospital was aware of.

Decided not to use the drugs so took them to BK hosp HH pharmacy for disposal, management became involved but no offer to reimburse the 4,000+ baht spent on drugs in BK.

Moral of this story is, if you are prescribed drugs, ask for a prescription and not to add it to your bill, as long as it is on your chart (computer record) you can buy later.

We have had a 3 month open prescription for a very expensive drug that only the hospitals hold, we buy it monthly, a lesser dose can be obtained in local pharmacies. But in this case would require a daily fast (no tea!) for half an hour instead of just once a week.

On a different note, since the Bangkok story, BK hospital HH has improved its patient identification and allergy awareness, more drug awareness teaching from the pharmacy.
Although in your case I feel the Dr may have been at fault. However, further research may make the drug OK to use and the drug company leaves its warnings to cover their arse. Only the Dr can tell you why it was perscibed.

Recently had occasion to take the hospital to task over instructions from a doctor who only visits on two days from BK.
She asked that I phone BK Hosp HH to contact her to arrange operation time and so she may bring correct equipment from BK.
Knowing the might be a language problem I put it all on paper and made a visit. Only to be met by junior management, who insisted that we must have an appointment. Eventually after much persuasion they tried to phone the Dr with no reply.

Leaving my written requests to phone the Dr and get back to me, I waited 24 hrs with no response, then sent an email request to the hospital general mail for a meeting with the CEO.

This was "batted" by his PA Irene, who is also head of international customer relations. She phoned us, contacted the Dr and although we still had to se the Dr, there was no charge.
During our visit and the next day for the minor Op we were treated almost like royalty, escorted everywhere.

I'm sure Irene would want to hear from you concerning your problems. I'm sure she will research you questions and ask the Dr concerned, she has excellent English if she replies by phone.

Sure there will be no problem in passing her direct hospital mail address, just PM me.

Chas

[midlandmike]

Irene is excellent--she speaks English well

.irene Sangkhanond <IreneSangkhanond@bgh.co.th>

[bapak]

The item prescribed was Arcoxia.. Website says:

Before you take Arcoxia
Note: Arcoxia has not been approved by the FDA for the U.S. market.
Do not take Arcoxia if:
You have had heart failure, a heart attack, bypass surgery, chest pain (angina), narrow or blocked arteries of the extremities (peripheral arterial disease), a stroke or mini stroke (TIA or transient ischaemic attack).

[Takiap]

I would definitely take it up with the hospital admin, and if I felt they were brush me off, I'd then try and get an article published in the Bangkok Post and The Nation. Having said that, the doctor concerned might have had a valid reason for prescribing the drug, and/or, like the rest of us, doctors can also make mistakes. After all, they're also human.

[Nereus]

So pill have now been flushed down the toilet.

What was the point of this? He should have immediately sealed up the bag of pills, along with the bill, and THEN complained.

[Dannie Boy]

So pill have now been flushed down the toilet.

What was the point of this? He should have immediately sealed up the bag of pills, along with the bill, and THEN complained.

Couldn't agree more, if it had been me I would have printed the website advice off and taken that and the pills back to the hospital, demanded an explanation and whilst not as high on the priority list, a refund of the cost of the medication!!

[bapak]

So pill have now been flushed down the toilet.

What was the point of this? He should have immediately sealed up the bag of pills, along with the bill, and THEN complained.

Couldn't agree more, if it had been me I would have printed the website advice off and taken that and the pills back to the hospital, demanded an explanation and whilst not as high on the priority list, a refund of the cost of the medication!!

Packaging as been retained....
More concerned about possible bodily effects, and possible danger to other patients.. Refund the least of concern.

[wpcoe]

Irene is excellent--she speaks English well

.irene Sangkhanond <IreneSangkhanond@bgh.co.th>

Ahhh, Dr. Irene. If only they could clone her and send her down to Hua Hin. She was my primary care doctor when I lived in Bangkok, and also when I lived in Pattaya and got fed up with the bozos at BH-P, and I have nothing but gratitude and respect for the lady.

She not only is knowledgable about medicine, she can "think outside the box" when it's appropriate.

[Dr Mike]

I think that is another Irene.
Irene in Hua Hin is the assistant to the Medical Director--office on 3rd floor

[bapak]

I think that is another Irene.
Irene in Hua Hin is the assistant to the Medical Director--office on 3rd floor

Who would you suggest emailing at BH in Hua Hin?

[chaspul]

Bapak
The email address I have been using for Irene Is different to the one broadcast by midlandmike.
Feel that email addresses should be private or at least limited, so please PM me and I will pass to you, as stated in my first post.
Sure that she will look into your problem.
Chas

[bapak]

A letter containing all the facts and addressed to the Director, Bangkok Hospital, Hua Hin, was hand delivered to the 3rd floor, last Wednesday afternoon, 14/11/12. To date, no acknowledgement.