Jan 26, 2005 02:54 PM
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(Updated Jan 26, 2005 02:54 PM)
MIOT is situated very well - well connected by road and close to our place. That unfortunately tripped the scales in us choosing this hospital.
Our young relative (less than 5 years old) fell down at his apartment when he was playing with his sibling. We saw some swelling but dismissed this as some sprain. We started suspecting fracture when we realized that he started wailing whenever there was some movement and didn't let anyone touch his hand.
By the time we realized that it could be a genuine fracture case, it was late in the evening. The usual hospital that we were comfortable with, the ''Child's Trust Hospital'' seems to have had their numbers changed and we were not able to reach the hospital. So, we decided to go to MIOT, after all, it is reknowned to be the best for orthopaedic specialities in Chennai.
On entering MIOT a duty doctor (we think it was, Dr.Sanjay Panday) attended to the kid immediately and recommended an X-ray of the limb. The radiologist was helpful, but the doctor started handling the child a bit rough. We didn't make it a big issue, as each doctor has his own style. The radiology assistant now told us we need a chest Xray, this puzzled us as we couldnt see any link or impact to that part of the anatomy. We did not question, assuming that the doctor knows what he is doing. Somehow in a short while the doctor decided to do with just the limb Xray and the chest Xray was postponed. While we were waiting, a cleaner lady reminded us that Chest Xray is still pending and we need to go for it after doctor's examination.
After a brief 10 minute wait, the Xray report came out, we were not told the diagnosis. The doctor came to the waiting kid and starting asking him to raise his limb. The wailing child did not have any chance of lifting his injured limb. The doctor wouldnt give up. The crying had now reached a crescendo, this seemed to annoy the doctor further. We still did not push the doctor for the diagnosis, again we were giving him the benefit of doubt, that each doctor has own way of declaring the diagnosis. He now gave the child 5 minutes to cry and then lift his limb. The crying & wailing of the kid was still going on, the child has now started coughing a lot. By now our anxiety got better of us and we asked for the Xray report and demanded the diagnosis.
The doctor said there was a hairline crack at the limb joint. We were able to see that clearly on the Xray. This was a big relief, as we were mentally prepared for even worse injury.
We were advised to admit the Child in ICU (yes, ICU!!). The reasoning given was that the child is unco-operative and needs attention. And that the Chief - Dr. Mohandas would arrive in the morning 6:30 Am and give his diagnosis. The duty doctor had to make 3 calls to some senior (we guess) before he gave the above recommendation.
Obviously, the duty doctor did not know how to handle the situation. ICU sounded like a bit too much, but then it was well past mid-night and it looked like we did not have any other choice. We requested for a room so that the mother and father could stay with the child. This was not agreed.
We decided to take the kid back home and bring him in the morning as it was obvious nothing was going to happen in the night. Our house was close by and the child would be more comfortable at home and being close to the Mom. The doctor did not agree, and warned that the child may continue to have the pain. We requested for some relief medicines and pain killers to help through the night, but this was not given. By now, we had come to see that other business intentions were reigning supreme than helping the patient.
We decided to leave the hospital and asked for the bill. The doctor took the prescription and wrote the following declaration and demanded that we sign it before we leave the premises. Declaration went like this: ''The condition of the patient has been explained in detail to the parents. Patient advised to get admitted in the ICU. The parents refused to admit ...''. Obviously, we refused to sign. However, paid the money of Rs. 450 promptly for the service and came out. A bill was refused reasoning that the bill book was not available in the night!
In the meantime, one of our relatives was able to get through to ''Child's Trust Hospital''. They said they did not have an Orthopeadic on premises but will be able to get one into the hospital, if required. This was good news.
Child's Trust Hospital was 30 minutes drive away but took very good care of the child. There was a duty doctor who was a paediatrician, but was able to the get the Ortho specialist very soon into the hospital. They used the same Xray which was taken at MIOT, and did not insist on putting the Child through another round of Xray. While waiting for the Ortho, the paediatrician administered some relief medicines to the Child to make him comfortable. The ortho showed up in no time and diagnosed the problem immediately. He then deftly put a good plaster dressing for the whole limb. The doctor and the entire supporting crew were very courteous to the kid. The child was wailing & screaming with pain while doing the plastering, but the doctors were very understanding. Within 10 min of the plaster the child started feeling really better. The plaster will be removed in 5 days time, when the swelling will reduce and will be replaced by another light bandage which will have to be worn for the next 4 weeks.
The doctor adviced that there is no need to admit him into the hospital and sent us back home with some medicines. We reached home at 2 AM with a smiling child.
PS: On the balance, MIOT is very good for complex fractures, they are probably good in bone joining with plates, we saw some complicated cases being handled by them well during some previous visit.s You will have to ignore their irresistible temptation to help themselves to your purse unabashedly.
Other drawbacks at the hospital:
Even the smallest case is diagnosed by the Chief doctor, so the average wait can be upto 3 hours for out patients. Most of the diagnosis made by the Chief (Dr. Mohandas) will be in split seconds, one is not sure whether he used all facts when he makes the diagnosis. Wonder why the other senior Doctors should not be doing the diagnosis of minor cases?
Xray/MRIs/Other Test results no matter how recent they are, will all have to be taken again at MIOT
We came across quite a few doctors who appeared to be interns. Some of the *nurses there are infact 1st semester Nursing students!!
Disclaimer: All of the above are based purely on our personal experiences and perceptions. Please use your own discretion before trying MIOT.
