Before start of this review, let me give a brief intro to this facility. This is a posh looking hospital in the brand new downtown Cochin; Kakkanad. I had visited this hospital twice; First time for taking a TT injection for myself; I had to wait for around 1 hour for this at their casualty. Of-course at a busy hospital the casualty might be busy; but at the time I went there, the casualty had only me, a doctor and 2/3 nurses. After the 1 hour wait at Casualty, half an hour at pharmacy.
They were much unorganized; but then I was not much irritated(since I live in a developing country at times wait, and other discomforts are all part of the game) For my next medical emergency, I choose another hospital in Cochin; “Ernakulam Medical Center”; it was crowded 10 times to Sunrise, but things were much/much smooth there; time heals your bad experiences and again one more time, I wanted to test Sunrise hospital. This time was for a vaccination for my 2 year old kid; I heard of a pediatrician who was a medical practitioner in US and had returned, to add to it her husband was associated with my wife’s company.
To meet the doctor had to wait almost 1 hour, but no fuss; there were 2 patients before us; and she was spending enough time with every patient. We met her but to our surprise, those optional vaccinations for 2 year old was not available at this hospital(the hepatitis A1 and Typhoid vaccines) finally she asked about Chicken pox vaccination, and since we didn’t take it for our baby, (because she was under-weight), she said we would go for that. Ok fine and she checked with their pharmacy for the availability of these vaccines; but now the story got a twist, they have Hepatitis A1 vaccine, and would take the same along with Chicken pox); we thanked the doctor and went to Laboratory(the hospital was giving vaccinations at their lab).
There had to wait for another 1 hour, and after this wait they gave my daughter the hepatitis A1 Vaccination. And asked to pay the bill which was only for hepatitis A1 vaccination(Rs.945/- and for accepting cards they were charging service charge, so for the bill of 945/- my card was swiped for Rs.960/-) even though the doctor had prescribed chicken pox vaccination. When I took it to their notice, they said ok wait. This wait continued for another hour, but still no reply; when I raised my voice they said, it was some trouble with their EDP system, finally I told them to take the amount for the vaccination and return my card(which the female at counter was holding and roaming around). For this another 15 minutes wait; and when I asked for the medicine prescription(for me to get it reimbursed from my company); they said the doctor need to give it and send a nurse to the doctor again wait time of 20 minutes) To my surprise what I got from the doctor was a letter addressing “To whom so ever it may concern” starting the stories for non availability of medicines at the hospital. When all these were happening the lab had at least 10/12 of their staff were walking up and down, only one nurse out of these was administrating the vaccines.
And while returning I could read a notice at the pharmacy counter. “If you are in a hurry for medicines, please get them from outside” Don’t go to this hospital for any emergency. Since they have the most incapable staff for your service; especially for emergencies the wait time might cost your life! If you want to kill your time;(in the order of a day) please feel free to visit this hospital and tell them you got to test your blood sugar and BP!
An update to my initial post!
Today is 02-May-2008
11:24 AM
Got a call from a lady(Mobile No: 984xxxx977), checking on why I had written this review on net. When I enquired, if she was in any way associated with Sunrise Hospital, initially it had a “No” from her. Then when I started explaining my horrible experience; she started shouting and was claiming that she was the MANAGING DIRECTOR of the hospital and is going to take legal/Police action against me for writing a bad review about their hospital . she had called me to verify my phone no. Also yelled not to visit her hospital again(I could reassure again that I won’t visit them again J)! I couldn’t tolerate her speech anymore; and so disconnected the call!
11:36 AM
Got another call from another gentleman; one Mr. Riaz(Mobile No: 974xxxx703) and this time he was talking very nicely. and promised on talking all corrective actions in his hospital, and was requesting to remove my comments from net; and not to take the threat(of his MD) in a bad way!
What I feel about the whole episode!
If at all the first person is the MD! If you are visiting this hospital beware of the Management too they are capable of threatening you as well!