Hospital or a Fraud?

Dear Readers,

This is the real experience of mine at Columbia Asia Hospital, Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru from 24^th to 28^th October 2014.

I had been to my home at Bengaluru for Diwali vacation on 20^th October 2014. As soon I had come, after two hours I felt fever along with lot of shivering. My mom thought it to be sickness due to travelling. Just casually I went to local Hospital where they got my blood and stool samples checked. On this day, I was reported as viral fever and prescribed accordingly with antibiotics and analgesics. But the fever and Chills continued for another two days more with no relief. Then two days later again due to insistence from our side, we again got blood and stool samples checked. The results were shocking- I was reported with decreased Hemoglobin, RBC’s, Platelet count of 55,000Cu/mm. The doctors got my condition serious and suddenly referred me to nearby hospital i.e., Columbia Asia Hospital. Upto now, since this was a charitable hospital and we always relied on the reports.

Then later whole family members panicked. It was evening 4pm when such referral notice was received. Never such a thing had happened in our family. We went with trust, faith and positive results to Columbia Asia Hospitals. The first bad experience, when I entered they made me lie in emergency ward from 4-11pm with continuous IV drips of NS, RL solution. The staff never explained us anything, no duty doctor visited and they said we have to rehydrate you continuously. With lot of pain at 11pm they made a conclusion we have single room available. Parents saw my worst situation and were really worried. They made the conclusion, even if it was costly with 6,000/- per day let us admit with faith of getting recovery. The staff panicked us if Platelet count gets decreased to 20,000Cu/mm we need some donor, so get it ready. All our family members arranged for our nearby close associated relations for getting donor of O+ blood group. Ten members arrived for screening with O+, but dilemma they rejected everyone with following criteria – Weight less than 60Kg, Veins not visible, Prior medical conditions, Platelet of donor must be above 2Lakh/Cumm. All members were rejected. All this was done with one intention-  always used to assure us that we have reserve available. Why??? They wanted to make money of 13,000/- STP per time they transfused. Havoc, I had seen my death very closely. All this, I had one support of strong family members beside. I was shifted finally to single room on 24^thOctober 2014. Every six hours they took blood sample. They gave diagnosis of Malaria with Plasmodium Vivax and Platelet count getting reduced to 39,000-26,000/Cumm gradually. We were panicking will I get transfusion done or not??? Parents were very sad and tensed with non-availability of donor??? First loot of Columbia Asia Hospital achieved!!!! We were relieved when next platelet reading at morning read 41,000/Cumm. But night duty doctor again warned us about declining platelet count and continuously IV monitored. That was sleepless night for the whole family.

The next day with some influence at reception counter of earlier known employee, we received 5sharing bed with cost of 1,200/- day and shifted next day. We must appreciate the cafeteria service which was very good. On 26^thOctober 2014 evening I was relieved along with family members of platelet count reached 51,000/Cumm. At every morning, I had doctor round with improvement. That horrible night of 26^th where my family members wished early recovery and left the hospital. This is the second Loot I would be talking about. On that, particular day my mom made me finish the whole dinner and saw my fine recovery. The nursing staff are all learners- they never get IV line connection easily. They prick you until they finally get the vein. These painful experiences are somehow manageable. But would you expect such things in No.1 corporate hospitals where staff are not trained, not responsible, no proper care and manpower. How would you experience??? The havoc happened when my parents left and Platelet record said 11,000/Cumm and shifted to ICU. I even requested duty doctor I am able to walk and run, feeling completely normal, how can you suggest ICU??? But doctor’s are pressurized to make money at any cost. With wrong reports they shifted to ICU and made proper platform for transfusion. This incidence was reported to my parents, they were worried and hurriedly at 2am in night came back to hospital. They insisted for recheck. But the hospital was not ready to do a retest of platelet count??? My mother had strong belief, and both parents in angry mood took toll of whole hospital, screamed and got rechecked my platelet count. What you people expect??? My platelet count read 88,000/Cumm instead of 11,000/Cumm. The whole hospital failed in their mission for the loot. They wanted to add up ICU bill of 15,000 to 30,000/- rupees and blood transfusion of 15,000Rs/-. Is it ethical to loot a simple family like us. They erased all records of their mistakes and not ready to accept their mistake. However my platelet count increased gradually and within two days increased to 1,59,000/Cumm and with improvement I was discharged from hospital on 28^th October 2014.

How would you rate my experience and during discharge they forged the reports and just were not willing to give the wrong report of 11,000/Cumm when they admitted to ICU.  With little patience, we cross checked our discharge summary where they had mentioned Platelet count charges on 26^th October 2014 of 110Rs. With continuous enforcement on this point, they issued a report of 11,000/Cumm with a note that they found clumps in platelet count and ordered a fresh sample. We were very displeased with this habit of such a big hospital.

With this blog, I want everyone to share my experience. This is a true incident and would request each and everyone to be awake, aware and always insist on your confidence when you are transferred to such hoaxed corporate hospitals where they have mission, vision and future of only to make profit. They never consider anyone’s feeling, any critical conditions, any emotions although. Do note that I’m a Dentist myself and am aghast with the experience I’d to suffer at this so called esteemed hospital. It is a sham that this hospital is playing around with patient's and its dear ones emotions with the intention of making money - it is high time they realize that healthcare is a sector they need to avoid fraudulent practices as even their minutest mistakes can affect the patients lives. 

Thank You everyone for reading my experience and Have great health…