An Afternoon in a Public Hospital

As mentioned previously, my personal health struggle with my knee does lead to experiences here in Brazil that I might not have otherwise. Last week that experience happened to be an afternoon in a public hospital. I am trying to get treatment here in Sao Paulo to continue my recovery from knee surgery. I have found that actually obtaining the treatment is really taking awhile. A doctor was recommended to me here but once I got to his office he would not do anything without an X-ray and an MRI. I have a very basic international health insurance plan for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars which does not cover expenses for my knee. Luckily, a Rotarian offered to take me to a public hospital where I could get the tests done for free.

I was told that this hospital was not the “worst” of public hospitals here in Sao Paulo. Being from the desert, I found outside of the hospital pretty and calming because of the beautiful Brazilian foliage. The first thing I noticed upon entering the hospital was a stretcher entering in front of me pushed over a small ledge into the hospital (a small ramp would surely be more comfortable for the person on the stretcher). There was an obvious triage type of area but overall the hospital was not well organized. Additional signage and processes were needed. My inner supply chain nerd was screaming. At the same time, my stomach dropped as I looked around at the facility and the unhappy patients.

I had an “appointment” and was promptly led into the exam area about 3 hours after the appointment…probably not really that bad. The MRI experience was fairly similar to that of the US with additional wait time and marked up equipment. After the MRI we tried to determine the process to get the X-ray done. There was a line of people standing, sitting in wheel chairs, and lying in stretchers outside the X-ray exam room. I get uncomfortable standing in line and I was better off than some of the people standing inline. Anyway, it was apparent that I wanted to be in that line but what the heck was the process? Wondering around the floor I noticed the stains on the walls and missing chunks of vinyl floor. After asking a security guard, then a receptionist we eventually ended up in another reception area where I gave my Brazilian health card. I was told to wait and I would be called.

Since I didn’t understand really what was going on I was very alert. At some point some one announced something that I didn’t understand and a mass of people got up and began to walk down the hall. I assumed we were all making a mad dash for the comfy line. Once everyone got there someone began to shout out names to create the line. At the end, he asked if everyone else was accompanying someone….my name was not announced….back to the reception area as people who had checked in before me took their place in line.

Eventually, by being the squeaky wheel, I skipped to the head of the line and was taken into the X-ray exam room by a guy in a t-shirt. He did not provide any heavy protective vest for me to wear and I would bet anything the table is not cleaned between patients. Yes, the emergency patients are X-rayed in the same room. It was certainly the fastest X-ray I have ever experienced once I actually got in the exam room. The Xray was provided about 15 minutes later but the MRI will not be ready for about 3 weeks.