The last post was about those few people who have voluntarily taken up a very valuable service which would save lives of hundreds of people. This post is about those people whose job is actually to save lives but end up in almost killing them (Literally!!!)
This is again through an experience one of my friends faced at a very “famous”(or notorious?!!) hospital located near Mount Road, Chennai(didn’t want to mention the name but that hospital has a lot of cases associated with it and still those people don’t seem to bother). This post is mainly to warn people against going to the hospital unless they know some doctors there personally who’ll take care or else you can go there through a reference in which case you will know exactly what you require and are not at their mercy!!
My friend was supposed to undergo Laparoscopy since she had acute appendicitis problem. During the initial stages itself, they did not do proper diagnosis and sent her to various specialists for different check ups and tests. In the process, her pain increased and few weeks back when it was totally unbearable, she was admitted. Just like what they show in the film, Ramana, she was lying in the bed, unattended, while her parents were asked to fill various forms. They were asked to take x-ray and scan which were not required for this operation (information courtesy: a colleague of hers who underwent the same operation in another hospital). Just before she was taken to the operation theatre, by chance, her mother enquired about the operation and she was in for a shock!!! They informed that they were going to do open surgery!!!!!! That was supposed to be very painful and anyone who undergoes the operation would have to be bed ridden for two months and it would be extremely painful. A person undergoing Laparoscopy, on the other hand, can carry on with his/her routine work after about one week’s rest. Her mother shouted at those people for being so careless. They brought in a supposedly “specialist” for Laparoscopy. Since the mix up my friend and her parents were shaken up. So they asked a few questions about the operation to the Doctor who answered them in a very rude manner which worsened their fears.
To top it all, inside the operation theatre, though my friend was given anesthesia, its effect worked only after a few minutes. But those few minutes, she had a horrible time. They were making the arrangements for the operation, moving the gadgets and tools, making a lot of noise. This might be just another operation for them, but for the patients, it would scare them. Not just this, two of them poked the needle to find her nerves. They did it so carelessly and it was so painful. And after they did that, they started fighting so unprofessionally on why the other person also poked the needle. Thank God, my friend lost consciousness after this and didn’t get to see any more such stupid acts.
Once the operation was over, they dumped her in some General Ward with many such patients and the nurse who was supposed to take care of them was very rude. The pain killer given to her lost effect and it was so painful for her. So she was constantly asking the nurse for painkillers but the nurse never attended to her until after two hours. The worst part was that, her “already terribly shaken” parents weren’t able to see her until after five hours after the operation was over. Also while discharging no instructions were given to her. She was asked to carry on with her routine work almost immediately. Then, through her colleague, she got to know that if she doesn’t take rest for about one week, either there will be some problem with her pancreas or her intestine would move down. Being a specialist won’t the doctor advice properly on what should be done and what should not be done? I’ve heard many such stories about the hospital but when it happened to my friend, I was really shaken up. These days most of the doctors don’t seem to have any concern for the patients, just bothered about making money out of everything. There was a time when the doctors would wait even for weeks together for a successful normal delivery but now they can’t even wait for two hours and do a cesarean which is so painful for the mother.
P.S: The Hospital name rhymes with a mint that has a famous byline “the mint with the hole” :-p
Sunday, September 17, 2006
While a vasoolraja can become a doctor, most doctors nowadays are only vasoolrajas!!!
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26 comments:
very good post!!!!!Intha doctors kadai niraya teriyum...anga enna attaagaasam nadakkuthunnu eluthinaaa...they ll have avery wrong opinion...so lemme cut short!!!
unmai ennanaaa?nalla doctorsaa yaarum madikkrathu illai...athu than unmai...namma enna panrom foreign educated ones kku aaasapattu porom..those people slog and come out after making huge cash...so try to make as much as money as possible....they make the case go worse increase the urge or seriousness condn and then
make the relatives tense and make money...when a person is dying money will never be an issue!
The same great mountroad hospitala nadantha incident ithu...last nov a foeigner who came to chennai to do his thesis is IIT fell sick due to heavy rains..on Diwali day...since he din want to disturb any of us...on festive day he enqd abt hospital and left to the "famous hospital" sadarana fever kku avan aadmit panni drips ethi injection kutti...he got frustrated and called us frds at 3pm ..and we 4 of us rushed..as i knew someone personally..saadaranaaa....feverkku the bill they gave at 6 pm ..was Rs 6000//-We were shocked Rs.100+ crocin ,Brufenla mudikka vendithukku Rs.6000..ithu mattumaa..ella labs and medical shops la irunthum ivangalukkku comission pogum..thats y we are talking big list of medical tests for all the great coughs snad colds..enuf for now..i shd write a post on that..for few personal reasons got to keep shut!
I also heard a lot abt this hospital and its "services". Even in Ramana movie, they have imitated this hospital only....niraya political support helps in maintaining this disgusting behaviour...really stinks :(
idhukku direct a hospi paera poturukalame :)
While there are many valid points, I would like to highlight few points which are wrong
//They were asked to take x-ray and scan which were not required for this operation (information courtesy: a colleague of hers who underwent the same operation in another hospital).//
This is a wrong statement. The colleague is not going to operate. The requirement of Scan and X-Ray are decided on a case-to-case basis by the concerned surgeon. I am not justifying that the investigations was required in this case(as I have not seen the patient), but if some one says that scan is not needed because "one colleague with same problem told me" that is down right stupid. Remember that most of the complicated cases we see are due to wrong advices from Friends/Relatives. Also remember that your colleague has seen ONLY ONE case of appendicitis and the doctor would have seen a lot more. May be you ask your colleague about Retrocaval appendix or Artery of Seshachalam. Let us see what she knows about that.
//Just before she was taken to the operation theatre, by chance, her mother enquired about the operation and she was in for a shock!!! They informed that they were going to do open surgery!!!!!!//
If the mother had read the "forms" before signing, there would not have been any shock at all. In cases of Laparoscopic surgeries, a consent is included for Laparotomy (Opening the abdomen). Hence there is no need for "Shock".
But, if the decision was taken due to other reason (not in the interest of patient), that is a big crime.
What has happened here, I don't know, but, please note that there is no need for a "Shock". Even if they start as Laparoscopy, if there are adhesions, it will be converted to Open Surgery in theatre.
//Once the operation was over, they dumped her in some General Ward with many such patients//
It is not General Ward. It is called as Post Operative Ward.
//Also while discharging no instructions were given to her.//
If this be the case, you can sue in Consumer Court. But have you read the "Discharge Summary". Patients and their attenders usually read only the Bill and not the other papers. Ask your friend, if she got a "Discharge Summary". If not she can very well file a case.
//Then, through her colleague, she got to know that if she doesn’t take rest for about one week, either there will be some problem with her pancreas or her intestine would move down.//
Wrong and Stupid Advice !!!!
//There was a time when the doctors would wait even for weeks together for a successful normal delivery but now they can’t even wait for two hours and do a cesarean which is so painful for the mother.//
You have got to do some research
1. Which is more painful for the mother - 8 out of 10 ladies (today) cry and shout in the labour ward that the pain is inbearable and they want caesarean section. Please note that 20 years ago, NO lady wanted Caesarean section. But now the time has changed
2. Ask any astrologer as to who is coming to them and asking a good time for the delivery of baby - whether the doctor or patient's relative
Please note that My AIM is not defending the hospital. I am posting this to tell you that there are a lot of factual errors (due to ignorance) and assuming wrong facts in the post.
You are free to ask any questions
I agree with Dr.Bruno.
Every patient is handled based on case specific details.And terming all doctors as Vasool Raja's is totally unacceptable and ridiculous.
Subha :I feel you.But you can't blame the doctors squarely for charging more.Did any one question you for being paid so high in IT field,and you sit and blog during your work hours?
Abcdef:Mr abcdef...i used my identity to bold ly comments on doctors...Im ofcourse paid high...but i do justice to my job....did u sit beside me and see that im bloggiing at office hours?there is a diff in profession always remember that...here job is in comp and i do that don blame people can u totally disagree with yr arguements bout doctors?do u want facts and figs?U think my total job is blogginf or do u know my performance here!
lets argue but i neeed yr true identity to argue...!
//unmai ennanaaa?nalla doctorsaa yaarum madikkrathu illai...athu than unmai...namma enna panrom foreign educated ones kku aaasapattu porom..those people slog and come out after making huge cash...so try to make as much as money as possible....they make the case go worse increase the urge or seriousness condn and then
make the relatives tense and make money...when a person is dying money will never be an issue!///
naaan nalla doctorsaa vambukku ilukkalaai
i mentioned on few money minded ones....im never generalising i wonder if u read it proprly!
i agree with Shuba's comments....nalla doctors-m irukaanga..Vasool Rajakalum irukaanga
shuba,
tension aagaadha!! I agree with u :-) Each can have their opinions and so forget about arguments :-)
bharani,
true :-)
harish,
naan koncham tv la vara ads maadhiri try pannen, blue color washing powder pack, blue color coconut oil bottle etc :-p
doctor bruno,
Whatever I heard was a first person's account. But when I post it I might miss out on a few details or facts which would support whatever I've said. And the main thing is that I haven't generalized about all doctors. It was just about personal experiences and from what I've heard from reliable sources. Anyway the main purpose of the post was to warn people before they go to the hospital. Whatever u've termed as "wrong and stupid" might be valid, just that I need to produce some valid proofs for that. But my job ends in just warning people out of concern. Those who find it valid can be careful else it is their wish. Anyway thanks for all the information :-)
abcdef,
//terming all doctors as Vasool Raja's is totally unacceptable and ridiculous//
Have I termed "ALL" doctors as vasool rajas? Personally I know a few doctors who are gems..
balag,
True :-)
nalla hospitals um iruku vasool hospitals um iruku...indha hospital evalo famous avangaley ipdi irundha matha hospitals nilamai epdi irukum :-)
As I told you, I have no intention of defending those guys....
My post was just to clear few misconceptions and advocate against hearing advices from non-medicos.
It is a surprise that.....for such an important event like surgery..... a lot of people get advice from some one (friends, relatives, neighbours, co-workers) who has not at all studied medicine or have any practical or theoritical knowledge!!!!
Have you every won a dress stiched by some one who is not a tailor. When you are very particular that the dress you wear outside and want to make sure that it is done by the correct person, why is that key advices for surgery and other important decisions are taken by those who are not qualified.
The person who was operated would have definitely had a family doctor. They could have well asked the family doctor instead of depending on the advices of a friend who have experience of that disease with ONLY ONE PERSON (Self)....
This is a common problem and this is what I am trying to high light
Please note that just because some one suffers from one illness, (say Peptic Ulcer, Hypertension or Diabetes), he does not become a specialist in that.
It is not like asking tips for your new Maruthi Alto from some who already has that. Remember that All Altos are made by the same process by a "machine"
But each and every person is different and the disease will have varied manifestations and treatment has to be individualised accordingly.
If a 20 year old man falls down from bike and gets a fracture, I may operate without checking his ECG.
Can I do the same (operating without checking his ECG) for a 70 year old man ????
SO the attitude like They were asked to take x-ray and scan which were not required for this operation(information courtesy: a colleague of hers who underwent the same operation in another hospital) needs to be corrected
syam,
True :-)
Dr. Bruno,
//If a 20 year old man falls down from bike and gets a fracture, I may operate without checking his ECG.
Can I do the same (operating without checking his ECG) for a 70 year old man ????
//
That's the whole part. This friend of mine is a 23 yr old girl and not a 70 yr old old person. For her the tests were absolutely unnecessary!!!!
Dr. Bruno,
Why don't u write a separate post on how ppl are having misconceptions abt the doctor instead of commenting in instalments in this post. I will even put a link to that post asking my blog readers to refer to ur post whenever they read this post of mine. Let them look at both sides and take a stand.
Also there are some maraka mudiyaadha and mannikamudiyaada kutrangal done by the same hospital in the past. So it is always better to be careful rather than brooding after everything is over.
Well, I see that u've already posted something which is already there as part of the comments here..
http://doctorbruno.blogspot.com/2006/09/misconceptions-about-surgery.html
1.//They were asked to take x-ray and scan which were not required for this operation (information courtesy: a colleague of hers who underwent the same operation in another hospital).//
Both my friend and her colleague are of the same age and were undergoing the same operation and hence the comparison is quite natural. There is nothing stupid in it.They may require such tests for old patients but not for 23 yr old, otherwise fit people.
2.//Just before she was taken to the operation theatre, by chance, her mother enquired about the operation and she was in for a shock!!! They informed that they were going to do open surgery!!!!!!//
For ur kind information,they knew what kind of operation my friend was going to undergo. But when she was about to be taken to the theatre when they are informed that she was going to undergo another kind obviously anyone would be shocked. In fact, the doctor who was going to do the operation was not a specialist at Laparoscopy and was there only to do open surgery. Hence when her mother shouted at this carelessness they brought in another doctor who was supposed to be a specialist in Laparoscopy.
This kind of behaviour would scare anyone out of their wits. Imagine if it was something more serious like a heart surgery!!!!We are all illiterates about the various procedures and surgeries performed by the doctors. We will have our own doubts. Adhuvum ippdilaam nadakum bothu we feel even more insecure. It is the doc's duty to drive away all our fears and keep everything transparent so that we have confidence. But in my friend's case each and everything that happened including that stupid fight at the operation theatre degraded their confidence and led to total insecurity.
3.//Once the operation was over, they dumped her in some General Ward with many such patients//
If the "Post Operative ward" is so significant having the patients who've undergone a surgery just then, why the hell were they treated so badly and my friend had to suffer in pain for two hours before they gave another dose of pain killers.
4.//Then, through her colleague, she got to know that if she doesn’t take rest for about one week, either there will be some problem with her pancreas or her intestine would move down.//
If u feel this is wrong and stupid, would u advice a 23yr old girl to continue with her routine work from the next day immediately after she underwent the Laparoscopy operation?Doesn't she require no rest? Are the doctors who adviced her colleague in such a way, stupid?Can't there be any reason behind them advicing in such a manner?
5.//There was a time when the doctors would wait even for weeks together for a successful normal delivery but now they can’t even wait for two hours and do a cesarean which is so painful for the mother.//
This happened to my cousin's wife. I am not bothered about the cases when the patients themselves want a cesarean. I am bothered only about the case I have mentioned. My cousin's wife was crying out the whole day in pain and I know this very well. I know very well that this is a case wherein they can get more money from the patients or they don't have time to wait for two hours as more patients might be waiting for them in their private clinic and they might lose the money.
I AM NOT BLAMING ALL THE DOCTORS HERE. I AM BLAMING ONLY THOSE FOR WHOM MONEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PATIENT'S HEALTH AND SECURITY.
//my friend and her colleague are of the same age and were undergoing the same operation and hence the comparison is quite natural. There is nothing stupid in it.They may require such tests for old patients but not for 23 yr old, otherwise fit people.//
I am afraid that my post has made NO IMPACT Age and sex are just one (or two) of the factors. A scan / Chest X Ray may still be required if
1. Your friend had a family history of DM,
2. Your friend had a family history of HT,
3. Your friend had a family history of Hypercholesteremia,
4. Your friend had Signs of Pelvic Appendix (or any variation)
5. Your friend was a little obese
6. Your friend had Guarding
7. Your friend had Murmur / Thrill
8. Your friend had subhepatic collection etc etc etc
There are a lot of factors
Bottom line: Please don't get advice from your friends / neighbours / colleagues / relatives. You are likely to kill yourself. Remember that it is not like asking tips for your new Maruthi Alto from some who already has that. Remember that All Altos are made by the same process by a "machine" But each and every person is different and the disease will have varied manifestations and treatment has to be individualised accordingly.
My aim is NOT AT ALL DEFENDING THE HOSPITAL My aim was to clear few misconceptions and stupid behaviours like getting an advice from a friend rather than a doctor.
//they knew what kind of operation my friend was going to undergo.//
The problem was there with the surgeon who examined the patient and told them about surgery. Though we all open the abdomen with a plan. No one can tell with certainity that there won't be any complications inside. Hence the mistake lies on the part of the surgeon in not talking to the patient properly. I have already told that if the surgery was changed due to "extra medical" causes, that was a mistake. That settles this point. The point was not to defend the doctor. It is just to tell you that it may happen for valid reasons too (Not that it was the same here)
//why the hell were they treated so badly a//
You have to ask this to the hospital only. I just told every one that if you may not be brought to the "same ward" immediately after surgery and will be shifted to another ward along with many patients and that is a normal thing. If at least one person reading this blog has understood this, that serves the purpose.
//If u feel this is wrong and stupid, //
I was not criticising taking rest. The stupid part was not consulting another doctor (at least their family doctor or some one who they would have known through another friend etc) but relying on the advice of a NON-MEDICAL PERSON. I was criticising getting advice from a colleague instead of the family doctor
//would u advice a 23yr old girl to continue with her routine work from the next day immediately after she underwent the Laparoscopy operation?//
Never. But not all Laparoscopy operations need the same rest. Some lap surgeries may need more and non-medical friends cannot tell when you need more rest.
But whether the rest is 3 days (LS), 1 week, 2 weeks (few kinds of Hernias), more than that (Lap Chole) is for the doctor to decide. What if she had an adhesion and the surgeon went for adhesolysis or if there had been a muscle repair. She may require more than 2 weeks rest. How can the friend, you might have undergone a different(uncomplicated) operation know that. What would have happened if this person had needed two weeks rest, but got to work after one week because a friend told so
//Doesn't she require no rest? //
Answered above
//Are the doctors who adviced her colleague in such a way, stupid?//
Not at all. The patient who gets advice from colleague and not from doctor is stupid. Got it clear at least now
//Can't there be any reason behind them advicing in such a manner?//
What I said is There could be reasons behind prescribing MORE rest for this patient and when this patient gets advice from a friend and not a doctor, she is putting herself in danger.
wonderful post..
Doctor Bruno's explanation was very informative.thanks
chance illa...hospital pera kandupudikkave mudiyala :))
ABCEDEF Vs Shuba
:))
probably .... i suggest you ...you might write this up to CNN IBN !! ... they take up this citizen journalist stuff...
DO this ..reveal the hospital name ...
let others who do not read your blog also know about this !!
why shouldnt you not reveal the name !!
Ms.C,
I agree with some of your observations. I underwent surgery in India recently and though the surgery was done by an old and experienced doctor, two things happened - one they made me take MRI from a nearby place which I found was consulted by/partly owned by the hospital and this was confirmed to be unnecessary later by a doctor. Second no postoperative instructions were given and I had to pester them with lot of questions. This happened in a good hospital in Bangalore. When it comes to things like surgery I am surprised how easily doctors give opinions and get irritated by our questions while it our body that goes through the cut and change for rest of the life. I have read some of the comments above but you did a good thing highlighting this.
Thanks
Murthy.
Nothing new from Apollo. Famous Table Tennis player of yesteryear Chandrasekhar was a victim and Apollo's negligence ruined his career.
Actually Oxygen supply was turned off during his operation. You can read more about it here:
http://sambharmafia.blogspot.com/2006/09/glorious-career-that-came-to-grinding.html
Doctors often don't realize that when you talk about surgery, you are talking about a permanent change in a person's internal organ and it is a serious matter. They routinely do it and kind of become insensitive to the patients's concerns. They don't like it if patients or their family ask lot of questions. Like many other professions, many of the doctors are of poor quality but here the damage potential is huge :(
Shankar
Dr. Bruno,
Got ur point :-)
bharath,
:-p
shreekrishnan,
its a known issue,nothing new here..unfortunately they don't seem to bother :-(
Murthy,
//When it comes to things like surgery I am surprised how easily doctors give opinions and get irritated by our questions while it our body that goes through the cut and change for rest of the life//
Very true..
kaps,
Toooooo much!!!!
Shankar,
Absolutely..
Dear Ms.Congeniality,
I totally agree with your post... I already had a very bitter experience there... Now i can totally conclude that the hospital is full of careless people doctors and nurses whose only intention is Money and nothing else.
Am waiting for the time to prove the concerned doctor (A gynaecologist) how wrong she was in diagnosing...She might have ruined my life... Will disclose the details one i prove...
Hope your friend recovers soon... My best wishes to her!!!
Hemapriya
apollo ' vil moonuku anuppi viduvargal pol irukiruthay.
Ms. Congeniality,
I have been reading your archives, and am very impressed with your writing skills and narration technique.
This particular post reminded me about my personal experience. I lost my dad due to one such horrible hospital and its irresponsible doctors, in Bangalore. Their only intention was to pull out as much money as possible.
Admire your thoughts towards society. Keep going.
Regards,
manju
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