Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Cochlear implant surgery
Absences of hidden costs, transparent dealings, skilled surgery, nursing, physiotherapy, clean & hygiene hospitals are factors responsible for increasing medical tourism in
An incision is made and the skin and tissue flap is lifted so that the surgeon can drill into the skull bone behind the ear. An electronic prosthetic device that is surgically placed in the inner ear and under the skin behind the ear for the purpose of providing useful sound perception via electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve and an electrode array is inserted into the cochlea
Rehabilitation therapy is necessary to maximize benefit from the implant. The first programming and stimulation occurs at 3 to 4 weeks. A number of programming sessions are necessary to fine tune the hearing. The implantee is taught how to listen with the implant, and how to understand speech (and talk). These services are provided by audiologists, teachers, or speech language pathologists.
Abdominoplasty in India
Tummy tuck procedures vary in scope. They are frequently divided into categories based on the severity of the procedure. A complete abdominoplasty can take one to five hours. A partial abdominoplasty, or mini-tuck, normally can be finished in an hour or two.
The patient who has undergone abdominoplasty need to exercise regularly to maintain the new, svelte figure. Even patients who didn’t exercise regularly before they had the procedure are encouraged to exercise regularly afterward. It will also help to reduce swelling, tone muscles, and reduce the odds of blood clots forming.
Abdominoplasty is an expensive option in most countries and is not covered by normal health insurance. Hence many patients are coming to various hospitals in India which are equipped to do this procedure at highly economical cost. India possesses highly experienced and trained medical professionals and well qualified cosmetic surgeons to perform such surgeries with the latest medical care facilities available.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
BGS Global Hospitals, Bangalore conducts first stem cell transplant for traumatic brain injury
Through this therapy, bone marrow was transplanted directly into the brain. Dr.N K Venkataramana, Chief Neurosurgeon & Vice President of BGS Hospitals, Bangalore, confirmed that this is the first time in the country and second in Asia that stem cell therapy was used for traumatic brain injury. China made the first attempt.
Stem cell research and therapy is a promising advancement in medical science. Stem cells are found in all multi-cellular organisms and have a variety of significant medical applications. Stem cell treatments are a type of cell therapy that introduces new cells into damaged tissue in order to treat a disease or injury.
They can be cloned and made into specific cells such as muscle or nerves or any other type of cell that a patient requires.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Choosing a hospital: Is JCI the way to go?
One question that confounds every individual travelling overseas for treatment is that of choosing a hospital. While most patients are able to hone in on the choice of a doctor/hospital through facilitator companies, referral doctors or their personal networks, a few are left in without enough information on the hospital to choose. In such instances, thanks to search engines and medical tourism associations with very little insight (and too much internet bandwidth at their disposal) in the international healthcare space, the patients are led to believe that JCI accredited hospitals alone are a credible destination.
JCI – Joint Commision International, is a popular, ‘private’ healthcare accreditation group in the United States. It is a US-based accreditation group that fulfils the requirements of an independent international body for healthcare standards accreditation. JCI is accredited by ISQua an accreditor of accrediting bodies. It was in early 2008 that JCI was recognized by ISQua . Apart from the JCI, other accreditation bodies from the following countries are approved by ISQua:-
- JCI of USA
- Australia
- Canada
- Egypt
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kyrgyz Republic
- South Africa
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- NABH of India
This international standardization body conveys the following message: “Any hospital that is accredited by ISQua approved accreditation body will be assured of the same patient safety and procedures of any hospital in developed world.” For instance, a NABH accredited hospital is as good as a JCI accredited one in terms of patient safety and treatment quality.
Economic considerations though mandate various healthcare insurance companies in the United States to recognize overseas hospitals accredited by JCI alone for in-patient treatment. This, in turn prompts hospitals already accredited by other ISQua affiliated bodies, to indulge in the futile and laborious exercise of obtaining JCI accreditation. As the entire world is moving towards an integrated healthcare solution transcending geographical boundaries, insurance companies too would be following suit in recognizing ISQua accredited hospitals. This would be a big and important step in breaking geographic barriers and provide insured clients with all the quality options they deserve.
Independent medical travellers would also benefit by considering ISQua related accreditations, if accreditation were the sole factor in choosing a treatment destination. In India, for instance, the NABH accreditation is ISQua accredited and thus a good enough quality stamp for a hospital.
The intent of this post is not to malign the effectiveness or efforts of JCI, but to lend some perspective to this issue of hospital accreditation in an international milieu.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wellspring facilitates Mr. George Abraham’s (Sultanate of Oman) Surgery for Cervical disc prolapse in Chennai, India.
Mr. George Abraham Salalah, Oman for the past 14 years. He was suffering from Cervical Disc Prolapse at the C5-C6 level following a recent accident while at work. After the initial bouts of treatment including pain killers and traction, it was decided by the doctors in Oman that surgery would be the only option for a permanent relief.
While Mr. George Abraham and his family were in a dilemma as to where to get the surgery done, they were informed about Wellspring’s services by Wellspring’s associates in Oman, Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Salalah. His reports were sent to Wellspring who reverted with treatment suggestions from four relevant hospitals. With the help of doctors at Badr Al Samaa Hospital, It was decided to get his surgery done in Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, a multispecialty hospital in Chennai.
He travelled on the 2nd day of finalizing the hospital accompanied by his wife and necessary arrangements were made in the hospital by then. He was given a warm welcome at the airport by the staffs of Wellspring and taken directly to the hospital. His admission procedures were instantly completed without any hassles. The preparations done by Wellspring prior to his arrival had helped him to get into the ward immediately for spontaneous medical attention.
The doctors including specialists attended to him on the same day and the investigative procedures began on the next day itself. The surgery was conducted on the 6th day of admission, after various procedures/observations. Being a major surgery, it took almost 3&1/2 hours and he was brought directly to the room. He was discharged on the 11th day of his surgery. The travel arrangements for his return travel was made by Wellspring who also gave him a warm send off.
Mr. George Abraham says he preferred to travel to India because of the better treatment facilities available and he chose SRMC for his treatment as this hospital is famous for Neurosurgery. He says “I am very much satisfied with the medical treatment and the hospital services. The ward quality, comfort and cleanliness here are in par with those in Oman and the doctors and staffs were highly accommodative.”
Wellspring staff’s regular visits to the hospital and follow up with Mr. George Abraham and his wife gave them a homely feeling. He was very glad to inform that Wellspring’s hospitality services and interactions for his treatment were excellent, as he says, “Wellspring addressed to our concerns and issues proactively and I would recommend Wellspring India Meditour to all those who wish to travel to India for their healthcare requirements.”
Wellspring India Meditour has marketing associates in the Middle East and will soon be spreading its wings to South Africa and Bangladesh.
Please visit us at www.wellspring-meditour.com
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cervical Disc Prolapse
A normal healthy disc does not prolapse, unless a severe accident occurs. The most important symptoms are neurological symptoms, meaning those symptoms due to pressure on the nerve(s) in the neck.
The diagnosis is often suggested on CT scans of the neck which the referring doctor may suggest. However, before surgery is performed, either a MRI scan or a myelogram will usually be needed.
The main reason for recommending surgery is to relieve the pain that radiates down the arm. If there is evidence of nerve damage causing weakness in the arm.
There are two main types of operation done for cervical disc prolapse or osteophyte causing pressure on the nervous system. One is done through the front of the neck, anterior cervical fusion or discectomy and arthroplasty and the other is done through an incision over the back of the neck, cervical foraminotomy or a cervical laminectomy.
During surgery, the prolapsed disc will be removed and a strut of a bone is grafted from the hip and inserted into the disc space.
In normal cases, hospitalization after surgery is usually for only 7-10 days. The patient is advised to wear a collar for about 6 weeks.
Patient Mr. George P.Abraham from Salalah, Sultanate of Oman was referred to us by Badr Al Samaa Hospitals, Salalah. He traveled to Chennai and underwent a neuro surgery for Cervical Disc Prolapse in one of our esteemed empanelled hospitals, Sri Ramachandra Medical Center, Porur, Chennai.
Patient Testimonial:
“I’m impressed with the services of Wellspring associates in Oman who helped me in my travel to India for my treatment. I preferred to travel to India because of the better treatment facilities available in India. I chose SRMC because this particular hospital is famous for neuro surgery. I’m satisfied with the medical treatment and the hospital services. The ward quality, comfort and cleanliness are at par with the Omani hospitals. I highly appreciate the doctor’s interaction and the staff courtesy. I’m glad to inform that Wellspring’s hospitality services and interactions were excellent. They addressed to my concerns & issues very proactively. I will surely recommend Wellspring India Meditour to all those who wish to travel to India for their healthcare needs.”