Posted by Wade
During the past several weeks, we have had many questions about the level of care by the doctors and the adequacy of the hospital here in Georgia related to my gallbladder surgery. There are some very distinct differences and there are a few similarities. We had the same questions just before dialing the number for the ambulance.
Speaking of the ambulance, the first use of an ambulance in Georgia is free for each person. The medics, two ladies, arrived at our apartment around 8:00 pm, shortly after our call. A Georgian friend of ours called for us and went out to the street to help the crew find our apartment. Without her, I’m not sure if we would have even been able to get help with our limited Georgian. After their arrival, they gave me a quick examination and a shot for pain (which didn’t help). They knew immediately it was probably a gallbladder issue based on where the pain was and the type of pain.
We walked downstairs to the ambulance where the ambulance driver was smoking while waiting for us. That wasn’t shocking really because many Georgians smoke and come to find out many of the hospital employees smoke (including my surgeon). The ride in the ambulance wasn’t a typical American ambulance ride. Megan, our Georgian friend, and I sat up for the very bumpy ride in a small ambulance about the size of a minivan. Luckily it was only a few miles to the hospital.
Upon arrival, I was immediately admitted to the emergency room with prompt care provided (no waiting or filling out paperwork first). I was in a large room with three other people but it was big enough for six patients. All the emergency care nurses and doctors were in the room too so it was quite loud in there at times.
We left that night but went back the next morning because the medicine provided was not working. I again went directly to the emergency room. The same doctors reevaluated and ordered stronger pain medication. More tests were run and I was later admitted to the hospital and moved to a different room that I shared with one other man. The bed was probably the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept on. There was no TV, no food service, and no nurses bringing drinks; the family, and in this case friends, were required to bring any and all food and drinks for the patient. The room was cold because the window had a crack in it and the heating system had not been turned on yet. It was turned on the day I left the hospital.
I saw my doctors more frequently than I would have expected in America. They were always checking on me and open about what was going on. The various doctors seemed to work together very well as a team in deciding what to do. They did so on the spot as needed.
The restrooms were a disaster…really. There was one restroom in the department where I was staying which had two stalls. It was shared by both men and women. We had to bring our own toilet paper and soap. Frankly, they were gross, but it was all I had. There seemed to be a lot of “cleaning” going on. Much of the time someone was in the act of cleaning, but we don’t really think things were getting that clean. However, occasionally things smelled like bleach making it seem a little cleaner. The light bulb also went out in the restroom and seemed to take a few days to get fixed. Therefore, a flashlight was also needed.
The nurses were great! Even though we couldn’t communicate that well, they seemed to really care and understood that I did not like needles. They were as careful and gentle as they could have been. They didn’t have a fancy button for me to ring for help, but always seemed to help when I needed it. They were always welcoming to Megan to stay as long as she wanted. However, the security guards were a pain as sometimes our friends could not get in and sometimes they were hesitant to let Megan in. They seemed to have been given some authority that they felt they needed to exercise regularly simply because they could.
Payment for services is interesting in Georgia. The cost is a fraction of what it is in America, but you are required to pay before you leave the hospital. So, before I checked out from my 10 day stay, we had to pay. Luckily, it wasn’t the cost it is in America! Upon leaving the hospital, my surgeon gave me his cell phone number to call with any issues or questions. Each follow-up appointment was scheduled by a phone call to the doctor who would say, “Come anytime between 3:00 and 4:00.” There is much less waiting time to see the doctor too.
Overall, the experience in some ways made us wish this would have happened in America, but we will say that when it comes to essential care, the Georgians do genuinely care for and take good care of their patients. We appreciate the nurses and doctors very much and the good care they gave me! We really feel like God led us to the right hospital and best doctors for this rare and severe gallbladder problem. When I was first admitted to the hospital and we still did not know what was happening, God gave us this verse:
“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. He is heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” ~ Psalm 112:1, 6-8
During the past several weeks, we have had many questions about the level of care by the doctors and the adequacy of the hospital here in Georgia related to my gallbladder surgery. There are some very distinct differences and there are a few similarities. We had the same questions just before dialing the number for the ambulance.
Speaking of the ambulance, the first use of an ambulance in Georgia is free for each person. The medics, two ladies, arrived at our apartment around 8:00 pm, shortly after our call. A Georgian friend of ours called for us and went out to the street to help the crew find our apartment. Without her, I’m not sure if we would have even been able to get help with our limited Georgian. After their arrival, they gave me a quick examination and a shot for pain (which didn’t help). They knew immediately it was probably a gallbladder issue based on where the pain was and the type of pain.
We walked downstairs to the ambulance where the ambulance driver was smoking while waiting for us. That wasn’t shocking really because many Georgians smoke and come to find out many of the hospital employees smoke (including my surgeon). The ride in the ambulance wasn’t a typical American ambulance ride. Megan, our Georgian friend, and I sat up for the very bumpy ride in a small ambulance about the size of a minivan. Luckily it was only a few miles to the hospital.
Upon arrival, I was immediately admitted to the emergency room with prompt care provided (no waiting or filling out paperwork first). I was in a large room with three other people but it was big enough for six patients. All the emergency care nurses and doctors were in the room too so it was quite loud in there at times.
We left that night but went back the next morning because the medicine provided was not working. I again went directly to the emergency room. The same doctors reevaluated and ordered stronger pain medication. More tests were run and I was later admitted to the hospital and moved to a different room that I shared with one other man. The bed was probably the most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept on. There was no TV, no food service, and no nurses bringing drinks; the family, and in this case friends, were required to bring any and all food and drinks for the patient. The room was cold because the window had a crack in it and the heating system had not been turned on yet. It was turned on the day I left the hospital.
I saw my doctors more frequently than I would have expected in America. They were always checking on me and open about what was going on. The various doctors seemed to work together very well as a team in deciding what to do. They did so on the spot as needed.
The restrooms were a disaster…really. There was one restroom in the department where I was staying which had two stalls. It was shared by both men and women. We had to bring our own toilet paper and soap. Frankly, they were gross, but it was all I had. There seemed to be a lot of “cleaning” going on. Much of the time someone was in the act of cleaning, but we don’t really think things were getting that clean. However, occasionally things smelled like bleach making it seem a little cleaner. The light bulb also went out in the restroom and seemed to take a few days to get fixed. Therefore, a flashlight was also needed.
The nurses were great! Even though we couldn’t communicate that well, they seemed to really care and understood that I did not like needles. They were as careful and gentle as they could have been. They didn’t have a fancy button for me to ring for help, but always seemed to help when I needed it. They were always welcoming to Megan to stay as long as she wanted. However, the security guards were a pain as sometimes our friends could not get in and sometimes they were hesitant to let Megan in. They seemed to have been given some authority that they felt they needed to exercise regularly simply because they could.
Payment for services is interesting in Georgia. The cost is a fraction of what it is in America, but you are required to pay before you leave the hospital. So, before I checked out from my 10 day stay, we had to pay. Luckily, it wasn’t the cost it is in America! Upon leaving the hospital, my surgeon gave me his cell phone number to call with any issues or questions. Each follow-up appointment was scheduled by a phone call to the doctor who would say, “Come anytime between 3:00 and 4:00.” There is much less waiting time to see the doctor too.
Overall, the experience in some ways made us wish this would have happened in America, but we will say that when it comes to essential care, the Georgians do genuinely care for and take good care of their patients. We appreciate the nurses and doctors very much and the good care they gave me! We really feel like God led us to the right hospital and best doctors for this rare and severe gallbladder problem. When I was first admitted to the hospital and we still did not know what was happening, God gave us this verse:
“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. He is heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” ~ Psalm 112:1, 6-8
