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Topic starter
ok, im the first to admit when i am wrong.
my bf had to go to the emergency room on monday evening. the wait time was remarkably short ( a change from his last attempt ) everyone has been exceptionally nice . the treatment he has received has been great. the new urologist on island Dr. Graham, is a wonderful Dr., very thorough in all of his explanations and actually takes time with my bf if he has questions and does not understand something. he seems to like the Dr. from the kidney dialysis center as well. there is always someone there to help you navigate the maze of a hospital.
now that being said the hospital does have some shortfalls, lack of beds, pillows, enough blankets, that kind of thing. the first 24 hours he was in the emergency room with only a sheet and no pillow. after his trip to surgery he did get a bed pillow and a blanket, but it is very cold late at night and another blanket would go along way.
Posted : October 16, 2009 11:30 am
My husband is about to sign a travel contract with the hospital and we met a ton of the staff on our PMV in august. They were incredibly nice and everyone was very professional. I would have compared the hospital to some here in Texas. So many people had bad things to say based on previous experiences (which were a while ago) and still haven't changed their minds. I am glad to here that you were satisfied. I am sure that it is not easy keeping a high standard set when they have to have so many travel nurses coming and going. We are hoping to love it there and stay forever 🙂
Posted : October 16, 2009 1:56 pm
speee1dy: You are on St Croix, if I am not mistaken. Please ID the hospital. On St Thomas, we DO have pillows, blankets, etc. I hope all is well. And if not, come on over! 😉
Posted : October 17, 2009 3:19 am
Topic starter
eastender, yep stx sorry about that. yes things are better.
Posted : October 17, 2009 10:48 am
I've been to the STX emergency room twice and was satisified with both experiences.
Posted : October 17, 2009 11:44 am
My wife had an operation at the hospital here on STX last Friday and I'm happy to say the experience was extremely pleasant (and for reference we've been in and out of some of the best hospitals in Boston, SoCal, and Seattle over the years.) The local hospital doesn't look as modern as a NEW hospital in the U.S. but most hospitals in the U.S. aren't new.
More importantly the staff here seems VERY competent and the facility is clean. It is lacking some sheets/pillows in the day rooms and the creature comforts for those accompanying a patient are non-existent (we got spoiled in Seattle suburbs where each there's no lobby and each hospital bed has a computer, flat screen, chairs, magazines, etc.) but the actual quality of care is high.
Posted : October 19, 2009 7:23 pm
I'm glad to hear these good stories, although I have heard so many nightmare stories from locals and continentals that I'll keep my Masa card for a bit longer!
Sean
Posted : October 20, 2009 2:26 pm
I have several friends who were stateside doctors who came down to STX to practice medicine at the hospital. They have all returned to the states. Many reasons. They said that practicing medicine here was like stepping back in time 25 years. The hospital has a problem paying its bills and therefore has a problem stocking routine supplies needed. They all had racist letters shoved under their office doors in the middle of the night filled with threats, the administration and the police did nothing.
They all loved living here but it was made abundantly clear to them that the hospital administration and local doctors considered them outsiders and their suggestions for improvement were not welcome.
Posted : October 20, 2009 8:18 pm
Hi everyone, my husb and I are contracted as RNs with the hosp on St. Thomas starting in Dec. We vow to do our best to hold up our end of the highest standard thing! Looking so forward to serving you... and, what's a Masa card?
Posted : October 20, 2009 10:04 pm
The problem with the Hospital not paying their bills on time, is the patients Doctors tell them to avoid any unnecessary stress, so they don't open the Hospital bill.
Posted : October 20, 2009 11:06 pm
MASA is a company that provides air medical evacuation & you can buy membership either on your own or some companies will deduct the premiums from your checks if you want the coverage.
Posted : October 20, 2009 11:26 pm
Topic starter
lizard, that was good
Posted : October 20, 2009 11:30 pm
RN4Life,
MASA (Medical Air Services Assoc). Air Evac back to your Hosp of choice stateside after you have been stabilized by the local Hosp and are able to fly.
Posted : October 20, 2009 11:37 pm
I don't think that is the MASA policy..I believe they will medevac to the closest hospital that deals with your problem, which often from the VI is PR. Not your choice, as I understand it, decision on need and location is made by the treating Dr and MASA. We have friends who have a horror story...they paid to evac out of PR to a stateside hospital that could actually treat the ememrgency, after a MASA transport to a hospital in PR. There are some other companies that will evac you at your request, to where-ever you want to go, but MASA is not, to my knowledge, one of those. Of course, others have had good results....
Posted : October 21, 2009 12:33 am
www.masapa.org/userfiles/file/MRSPAMASA.pdf
Posted : October 21, 2009 12:52 am
I believe there are two levels of MASA insurance. One is the closest facility (yes, unfortunately usually PR) and one is your choice of hospitals. You need to read the small print on any of the med evac policies. Many people seem to think if they have a broken leg, they can get an air ambulance to NY. Not gonna happen... On the other hand, if you urgently need brain surgery, you will probably want to go to the closest place.
Posted : October 21, 2009 2:03 am
