Came back home from centro medico Bournigal in Puerto Plata yesterday after staying there for 3 days and almost lost my leg due to negligence at CMC in Sosua. I have been living in Sosua since well before they opened CMC but will never be back there again.
Short story. Got an insect bite around a week ago. Eventually it got infected so badly that I started to feel pain when walking, and I rushed to CMC on Saturday AM.
1st they did not want to accept me at the emergency unit and sent to "consult with the doctor" first. Of course, the doctor was not there yet. Waited 2 hrs to be accepted. As usual, paid 300 Pesos (instead of 200 listed on the bill for insurance company), no receipt (as usual). After the consultation - up on the 2nd floor to an operating room - same doctor, Jonathan Ramirez Almonte. Under local anesthesia got the fuss out, cleaned and stuffed with gauze bandage and told to come back tomorrow Sunday) at 10 AM. Waited another hour for the bill and was surprised that not everything was covered by the insurance. Extra 1500 Pesos in a separate "Recibo" without a signature.
By the evening pain increased and the foot swelled. Was taking the meds prescribed by the doctor on time. In the morning rushed to CMC well before 10 a.m. hoping the doctor would come a bit earlier (forgot I was in DR). The foot was huge already. Stayed in ER for 2 hrs (!!!) till noon, question the staff when the doctor finally comes? Was lied several times that the "doctor already on the way". At 12-15 was attended by some woman who saw me from the time I arrived in the clinic - she said the doctor is not coming and she would clean the wound. She did, stuffed with more bandage and told me to come back tomorrow (Monday) by 10 AM.
By the evening pain increased and I could not even walk. By morning pain became unbearable and a friend rushed me to Puerto Plata - centro medico Bournigal, instead of CMC. Was received there at ER promptly by English speaking doctors. Blood test showed 20 (whatever) white blood cells - a lot more than normal according to the doctor. There was quite a bit of dead tissue around the wound. Under spinal anaesthesia got 2nd surgery and cleaning (reading now from final diagnosis - "desbridamiento amplio" and "facitis pierna"). Spent 3 days (2 nights) in a very nice room (TV, fridge, air-conditioning) and great care.
The total bill including the room was around 45.000 Pesos. Paid the difference in cash - 4.430 Pesos. Was released from the hospital yesterday in the afternoon.
Tomorrow morning will go back to Bournigal to remove the drainage tube. Can already walk now.
Probably would be without the leg if returned to CMC on Monday morning.
Short story. Got an insect bite around a week ago. Eventually it got infected so badly that I started to feel pain when walking, and I rushed to CMC on Saturday AM.
1st they did not want to accept me at the emergency unit and sent to "consult with the doctor" first. Of course, the doctor was not there yet. Waited 2 hrs to be accepted. As usual, paid 300 Pesos (instead of 200 listed on the bill for insurance company), no receipt (as usual). After the consultation - up on the 2nd floor to an operating room - same doctor, Jonathan Ramirez Almonte. Under local anesthesia got the fuss out, cleaned and stuffed with gauze bandage and told to come back tomorrow Sunday) at 10 AM. Waited another hour for the bill and was surprised that not everything was covered by the insurance. Extra 1500 Pesos in a separate "Recibo" without a signature.
By the evening pain increased and the foot swelled. Was taking the meds prescribed by the doctor on time. In the morning rushed to CMC well before 10 a.m. hoping the doctor would come a bit earlier (forgot I was in DR). The foot was huge already. Stayed in ER for 2 hrs (!!!) till noon, question the staff when the doctor finally comes? Was lied several times that the "doctor already on the way". At 12-15 was attended by some woman who saw me from the time I arrived in the clinic - she said the doctor is not coming and she would clean the wound. She did, stuffed with more bandage and told me to come back tomorrow (Monday) by 10 AM.
By the evening pain increased and I could not even walk. By morning pain became unbearable and a friend rushed me to Puerto Plata - centro medico Bournigal, instead of CMC. Was received there at ER promptly by English speaking doctors. Blood test showed 20 (whatever) white blood cells - a lot more than normal according to the doctor. There was quite a bit of dead tissue around the wound. Under spinal anaesthesia got 2nd surgery and cleaning (reading now from final diagnosis - "desbridamiento amplio" and "facitis pierna"). Spent 3 days (2 nights) in a very nice room (TV, fridge, air-conditioning) and great care.
The total bill including the room was around 45.000 Pesos. Paid the difference in cash - 4.430 Pesos. Was released from the hospital yesterday in the afternoon.
Tomorrow morning will go back to Bournigal to remove the drainage tube. Can already walk now.
Probably would be without the leg if returned to CMC on Monday morning.