I must admit, upon arriving I had my doubts. It certainly did not look similar to the hospitals generally seen in the States. It resembled a large one-floor apartment complex. The inside featured a different layout, as patients would be shuffled to distinct rooms, depending on what specific problem they had. I had arrived to get a blood test done in order to get my university ID card. (Why they need my blood type, I do not know) I had already gotten a chest x-ray, which was another requirement for employment, so I was happy I did not have to get one here.
Fortunately, I arrived with representation from the university, so I did not have to wait in line with the locals. It was odd then, when they called my name and told me to go to room 6, where x-rays are done. I was surprised and protested, telling them I didn't need one, but they pushed me in the room regardless. Believe me, that was the fastest chest x-ray I have ever, and will ever, experience. I was then told to go to room 16 where blood was being drawn. There was a line of about 30 people to get their blood drawn, and while we were waiting, we were told we didn't need to get chest x-rays, since the university already had that information. Go figure...
It took one nurse about 20 minutes to take blood from all 30 people. She was the epitome of efficiency, and it didn't even hurt.
After this admittedly trivial visit to a hospital here, I saw good things and bad. The basic services themselves were incredibly fast and quite comfortable. But, for some of my peers, there was information breakdown between the hospital and the university, so there were some worried faculty as they waited for their visas to get approved. I guess I learned that the basic services of doctors, nurses and the like can be streamlined and made more efficient in the US. But the information exchange is critical and must be error-free.
I hope whatever system Congress cooks up is for the better, but after this visit to a universal healthcare hospital, I have my doubts.
Ben
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Getting political already, Ben? Keep this blog neutral, ok? Just kidding...I always love your comments and look forward to keeping up with you on this blog. My furnace is hot, but definitely NOT humid...I'm thirsty all the time! Blessings in Dubai,
ReplyDeleteJeremy
Very cool man. Good luck on the experience. I've heard that Dubai is a pretty bad-ass place. Donald Trump talks about it non-stop. And I know they are trying to make it one of the next mecca's of the world, ala, a more modern New York or Tokyo.
ReplyDeleteSweet, thanks for blogging! God be with you guys, I'm sure things can get crazy over there.
ReplyDeleteOne not so small request, I think it would be stellar if you added a picture with every post! Like, you could have taken a picture of the nurse cranking through the needles...
hugs,
steve