Yesterday I got a taste of the amazing Health Care System we have in the U.S.A. This is a little of my experience from beginning to end.
I am about to be taken in to a surgery suite @ UCSD Medical Center in La Jolla, California. It's only minor surgery and the problem only came to light last week. Now under a Government run health care program I would have had to wait at least 3 months for this procedure. However, because of the way Health care is now and has been forever in this country, I was able to get in very quickly. This was fortunate for me because my situation involves immense pain.
I am waiting in the pre-op are and have already beeen prepped, had an IV placed (by an incredibly talented nurse I must add), and my entire medical history has been looked over, not through a computer, but face to face with a nurse. I can count @ least 3 nurses and 3 medical assistants within my sight.
The anesthesiologist has just arrived to introduce himself and explain, in words that I can understand, what he will be doing during the procedure. He promises me that I will wake up! Right behind him one of the doctors comes in. UCSD is a teaching hospital, (one of the best in the world!), and because of this I will also be observed by the Fellows, (doctors in the making).
After everyone has introduced themselves and the Or is ready, the anesthesiologst returns and administers a dose of medication into the IV that will begin to totally relax me. He makes sure I am comfortable with plenty of pillows and blankets and any thing else I might need and that's the last thing I remember!
Four hours
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