Well Thursday night I did some damage to my right ankle. The streets here are a mess and you have to watch where you put every step. I got distracted for just 1 second and that was it, I went over on my right ankle.
Ive done this before - 3 times in fact but never here so I thought I would tell you about my trip to Centro Medico Bournigal in Puerto Plata.
I decided not to go on Thursday night - I needed to ice down the swelling and I could not face the clinic on a day when everyone gets paid. (way too busy) and my other good friend was delivering crutches to me so I could get around.
Friday morning I speak to a local Dr. friend to ask who to go to. He tells me which Orthopedic Dr is best if I need one.
I head to the clinic and first stop is the Emergency room - not busy (yeah) but still confusing. They don't take an intake form, no background or showing of insurance cards etc. Just come on it...........
In about 5 minutes I am seen by a nice Dr and she briefly looks at my ankle, hardly touches me and sends me for an x-ray. First though you pay them for the x-ray - 625 pesos - about $20 US
Off we go to the office for the x-ray. I wait about 15 minutes, it is full but apparently when you come from emergency you are given preference. Or maybe when you pay cash you get preference. After the x-ray, I go back to waiting room to wait. I am told it will be 15 minutes again but this time it is Dominican minutes. 45 minutes folks.....
Now all the chairs are taken, I am standing by the wall, on crutches with an ankle that slightly resembles a football. I stand for 15 mintues before someone offers me a chair. Hmmmmm. Now most of these people aren't even sick they are waiting with or for someone who is sick! I was not impressed and my pride and ego got in the way and I would not ask for a seat!
So, back to emergency. My friend now has to leave me - note to self - next emergency take a friend who does not pass out at the sight of blood!!! My nice Dr. comes back and takes my x-rays to read. She can't read them here as the light panel (that box thing they put x-rays on) won't work. She opens it and fiddles with it but it won't go on. She goes off to another office to read my x-rays.
While I wait, lots of nurses, staff, Drs and patients stop to chat with me....... It was all quite social.
She comes back to inform me I need a specialist. I ask for Dr. Ravelo as that is who was suggested to me. He arrives in 5 mintues! Yup a specialist consult in 5 mintues........ If you need this kind of Dr. he is great, speaks English, French, some German too.
HE quickly tells me what I pretty much already know (this is my 4th time doing this) and we proceed to cast my right ankle. He does it himself and we have a nice chat while he works.
Bottom line costs:
x- ray 625 RD (outside cheaper but very inconvenient)
Fiberglass cast 1,579 RD
Dr fees & emerg 3,000 RD
Total 5,204 RD
About 158 US
I don't think that is too bad at all.
What is bad is I have a damn cast on my ankle for the next 4 weeks!
Ive done this before - 3 times in fact but never here so I thought I would tell you about my trip to Centro Medico Bournigal in Puerto Plata.
I decided not to go on Thursday night - I needed to ice down the swelling and I could not face the clinic on a day when everyone gets paid. (way too busy) and my other good friend was delivering crutches to me so I could get around.
Friday morning I speak to a local Dr. friend to ask who to go to. He tells me which Orthopedic Dr is best if I need one.
I head to the clinic and first stop is the Emergency room - not busy (yeah) but still confusing. They don't take an intake form, no background or showing of insurance cards etc. Just come on it...........
In about 5 minutes I am seen by a nice Dr and she briefly looks at my ankle, hardly touches me and sends me for an x-ray. First though you pay them for the x-ray - 625 pesos - about $20 US
Off we go to the office for the x-ray. I wait about 15 minutes, it is full but apparently when you come from emergency you are given preference. Or maybe when you pay cash you get preference. After the x-ray, I go back to waiting room to wait. I am told it will be 15 minutes again but this time it is Dominican minutes. 45 minutes folks.....
Now all the chairs are taken, I am standing by the wall, on crutches with an ankle that slightly resembles a football. I stand for 15 mintues before someone offers me a chair. Hmmmmm. Now most of these people aren't even sick they are waiting with or for someone who is sick! I was not impressed and my pride and ego got in the way and I would not ask for a seat!
So, back to emergency. My friend now has to leave me - note to self - next emergency take a friend who does not pass out at the sight of blood!!! My nice Dr. comes back and takes my x-rays to read. She can't read them here as the light panel (that box thing they put x-rays on) won't work. She opens it and fiddles with it but it won't go on. She goes off to another office to read my x-rays.
While I wait, lots of nurses, staff, Drs and patients stop to chat with me....... It was all quite social.
She comes back to inform me I need a specialist. I ask for Dr. Ravelo as that is who was suggested to me. He arrives in 5 mintues! Yup a specialist consult in 5 mintues........ If you need this kind of Dr. he is great, speaks English, French, some German too.
HE quickly tells me what I pretty much already know (this is my 4th time doing this) and we proceed to cast my right ankle. He does it himself and we have a nice chat while he works.
Bottom line costs:
x- ray 625 RD (outside cheaper but very inconvenient)
Fiberglass cast 1,579 RD
Dr fees & emerg 3,000 RD
Total 5,204 RD
About 158 US
I don't think that is too bad at all.
What is bad is I have a damn cast on my ankle for the next 4 weeks!