- Home » Expat News » Choosing the best expat hospital by its rating is a risk
Choosing The Best Expat Hospital By Its Rating Is A Risk
Published: | 6 Mar at 6 PM |
Want to get involved?
Become a
Featured Expatand take our interview.
Become a
Local Expertand contribute articles.
Get in
touchtoday!
One of the most important decisions expats need to make when choosing an overseas destination for retirement or a new job is the availability of quality medical care.
Many private hospitals overseas are now using rating systems, considered as the equivalent of the ‘star’ system for hotels. However, relying on ratings when deciding where to settle may be the wrong way to get a high standard of medical care, as the ratings may have been purchased from the expanding number of organisations offering inspections and so-called official accreditation, often with fancy certificates and extra awards for extra cash. Should something go horribly wrong, few, if any, ratings agencies will help with complaints or pay compensation for medical errors.
One example, an American hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, was the recipient of a gold seal from the International Commission on Healthcare Association for three consecutive years, and had been awarded its ‘top performer’ prize. The hospital had also won a commendation for hospital safety from the Leapfrog Group. Unsatisfied patients who’d checked the latest hospital safety report by the US authority would have found that, out of 2,500 medical facilities checked, the hospital was last on the list, with 11 marks out of a possible 100.
The problem is widespread and covers many countries, with the United Nations now proposing yet another accreditation scheme. Basically, accreditation groups make money from their services, including courses sold to groups of hospital workers. None are consumer oriented in a field in which customer service is essential, with concerned experts considering finding a good clinic nowadays is a lottery. In many popular expat destinations, private hospitals are springing up to serve medical tourism as well as expat residents. Those in Southeast Asia and India are lucrative big business for their owners, and expats need to be sure their medical insurance covers all aspects of medical care including malpractice, excessive treatments and overlong stays.
Comments » No published comments just yet for this article...
Feel free to have your say on this item. Go on... be the first!
RECENT NEWS
Scared Of Flying? These Airlines Have Been Ranked The Safest In Europe For 2025
Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in Europe for 2025 Read more
Australian Mullets, Thai Rain And Quiet New Zealanders: The Biggest Culture Shocks For Brits Abroad
Australian mullets, Thai rain and quiet New Zealanders: The biggest culture shocks for Brits abroad Read more
Travelling To Greece This Summer? Your Hotel Swimming Pool Could Be Filled With Seawater
Travelling to Greece this summer? Your hotel swimming pool could be filled with seawater Read more
2025 Holidays Are Selling Fast: What You Need To Know About When To Book And When To Go
2025 holidays are selling fast: What you need to know about when to book and when to go Read more
Rocket Debris From Elon Musk's SpaceX Is Delaying Flights In This Part Of The World
Rocket debris from Elon Musk's SpaceX is delaying flights in this part of the world Read more
Is It Safe To Travel To LA? Everything You Need To Know About Flights, Hotels And Transport
Is it safe to travel to LA? Everything you need to know about flights, hotels and transport Read more