The following is a brief guide for medical tourists on how to check out and select a medical clinic or hospital in a foreign country.
Initial Considerations
The first step in choosing a foreign medical tourism provider is to gather as much information about the clinic or hospital as possible . This can be done by obtaining literature and information about the organization through the official website, or through medical intermediaries who have information about a specific institution.
Another important factor to consider is the country of destination, to know the visa requirements and extension ceilings of that country.
Hospital Accreditation and Affiliations
HOSPITAL ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS Having a clinic or hospital accredited by an authoritative accrediting body is the greatest assurance of receiving quality medical care. The most famous accreditation organization is Joint Commission International (JCI). Check if the clinic or hospital is accredited by JCI and if the accreditation is still valid.
Another accreditation to check comes from the International Standards Organization (ISO), which accredits hospitals based on international quality and procedural standards. Hospitals and clinics should also be checked to see if they meet the accreditation standards of the healthcare federation in the country where they are located. Some foreign hospitals are affiliated with well-known medical institutions and prestigious universities. Check whether the foreign hospital is owned, managed or officially affiliated with its home country counterpart.
Non-Medical Amenities
Most foreign hospitals and clinics that offer medical tourism packages charge a one-time fee for their services, including the cost of procedures, tests and related treatments. You can also check with the medical service provider to see if accommodation is included in the overall services they offer. Some hospitals offer five-star accommodations in their own hotels or partner with nearby hotels to offer discounted accommodations.
Check if your destination healthcare provider offers all-inclusive medical tourism packages. Such packages include not only hotel accommodations, but also hotel and airport transfers, meetings and checkups with doctors before and after surgery or treatment, and post-operative recovery facilities. Research and familiarize yourself with local spending levels, meal and transportation costs, and find out about local transportation and whether it is safe to travel alone.
HOSPITAL/ CLINIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Check the facilities of the destination healthcare provider, such as the following issues:
1. Are surgeries performed in private hospitals or doctors' clinics?
2. Are medical services provided by outpatient clinics or hospitals?
3. Is there an ambulance?
4. Are there en-suite and single rooms?
5. Is there an intensive care unit? If surgery is performed at the doctor's office, is there quick access to the ICU in case of emergency?
6. Is there a partnership with a U.S. hospital organization?
7. Do you have the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment?
8. Are appropriate medications available? Are the medications FDA compliant?
9. Does it have the specialized medical equipment you need for your surgery or treatment?
10. Are there any reported cases of post-operative infections? What is the infection rate?
Hospital care during treatment
One of the advantages of medical tourism is cost savings. You can spend some of the money saved on hiring the best care and luxury facilities while receiving treatment. You should ask or request the following information from the medical provider:
1. whether the package can include five-star accommodation?
2. the type of meals served, and whether they can be a la carte or quality meals with your doctor's permission?
3. type of nursing services, can private nurses be hired based on individual needs?
4. Are the medical and other hospital staff fluent in English?
Hospital Post-Operative Care
Post-operative care is very important! You should ask your healthcare provider the following points about post-operative care:
1. is it recommended to have a friend or relative with you during treatment?
2. Will I need to be hospitalized or will I be sent to a hotel after the procedure?
3. any special care or precautions required after treatment.
4. Is there a contingency plan in place in case of complications during and after the surgery?
5. What rehabilitation activities are available to you after surgery?
MEDICAL RECORDS
It is important for medical travelers to consider how the destination hospital or clinic handles medical records and other related documents. If you need follow-up examinations or regular treatment, these documents will be an important reference for your local doctor. Check to see if the hospital uses an electronic medical record (EMR) system to store patient information, including x-rays, lab results, and test records. Can this information be sent electronically to your receiving hospital or doctor.
If the hospital or clinic does not have an EMR, confirm whether they can provide a complete copy of the records.
Quality Disclosure
Many foreign hospitals competing in the medical tourism services industry publicly report their performance and quality standards upon request.
Patients can access this information on their websites and gauge the hospital's level of care for a particular treatment or procedure accordingly.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MALPRACTICE AND LIABILITY
Any procedure carries with it the risk of medical malpractice or complications, and the following questions should be asked about malpractice and liability determinations of the hospital or clinic:
1. Is there a contract for services? Does the contract include a finding of liability for complications resulting from malpractice?
2. is there a person liable for reimbursement of the cost of the procedure? What are the terms and circumstances that apply?
3. What local regulations exist in foreign countries to deal with malpractice? How do they differ from those in the United States?
4. Do international patients receive legal assistance and malpractice counseling services from local governments or non-profit organizations?
About Security
Patients should also familiarize themselves with how security is handled in foreign hospitals or clinics by asking the following questions:
1. What is the hospital's safety policy? Is there a standardized process for handling hazardous or potentially infectious materials (e.g., used needles, etc.)?
2. what are the hospital's sanitation requirements for food and inpatient facilities?
3. How safe are the accommodations or affiliated hotels provided by the healthcare organization?
4. what precautions does the hospital take to prevent potential problems in postoperative care?
SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHER SOURCES
In addition to gathering information on your own about hospitals or clinics in your medical tourism destination, seeking information and advice from third-party sources is also an option. Include the following:
1. advice from friends, family, neighbors and co-workers or people who have received treatment at the same facility.
2. checking ratings and reviews on independent medical websites and organizations that survey medical destinations.
3. read sharing and advice from past patients and medical travelers on forums, websites, groups and bulletin boards.
4. join online communities to get first-hand recommendations, tips and advice.