hi again...

A while ago I posted a question about hospital facilities in Bonaire. This was concerning my father and the worries about going on vacation with medical concerns. Anyway, so he had a catharisation (sp?) and yesterday also got results back from a special MRI test he had done. Seems all looks allright, no blockages to be seen. So his worries about something happening while he is on vacation has pretty much taperd down.

He only has one more question about the Bonaire hospital facilities, about a fairly simple procedure that is done in alot of hospitals. We I wonder if anybody knows the answer, or can refer me to somebody who may know...this is the question (alot of medical terms but I guess it may look familiar to somebody, having to do with arrithmia):

"I am susceptible to an arrhythmia called "atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). The episode I had last year was terminated with an IV bolus of adenosine (while monitoring the EKG). Is that capability available at the Bonnaire hospital?"

Well......hope somebody knows...

cheers
Ina

Ina - I have been meaning to post a note about my hospital stay on Bonaire in March, and this seems the perfect opportunity!

I suffer from atrial fibrillation, and supra-ventricular tachycardia and this past January had a bad 6 week run that ended up with me in a hospital going on a pretty serious anti-arrythmic drug. Two weeks later we were in Bonaire, and WHAMO, I went back into afib with a heart rate pushing 200 (after only 2 dives!)! I tried to contact my cardio back home, but that wasn't very helpful, so Michael, of the Chat and Browse (thanks Michael) made me an appointment with Dr. van der Vaart over at the medical clinic.

He saw me after a brief wait, and together we walked over to the hospital, for what was going to be a series of EKGs. I was admitted, which I have to add, was MUCH more pleasant than being admitted to a US hospital, and started immediately on a digoxin drip to try to lower my heart rate (with heart monitor). I had a nurse sit by my side the entire day while the drip tried to do its thing.

The anti-arrythmic drug I'm on (dofetilide) is a US only drug, and together Dr. V and I poured over the technical documentation since he was unfamiliar with it, and didn't know what else to give me to help! He then got on the phone with a dive cardiologist over on Curacao, and together they got in touch with Pfizer, the drug manufacturer, to find out what they could give me in addition to the dofetilide, to reduce my heart rate, and attempt to get me back in rhythm.

After the drip had helped a little, I was released to go to the pharmacy and get a prescription of dig filled ($3). The next day I was back for another EKG, and by this time, Dr. V had again consulted with the cardio on Curacao and they decided to stop one other heart drug I was on, and try another they thought would work better. That for another day, and then next day more EKGs to determine that the drugs were working, albeit slowly.

Monday was my last appointment with Dr. V for my last EKG. My heart had slowed sufficiently that I was no longer in any danger, but unfortunately it had not reverted to normal rhythm, so I was banned from diving! The joint doctors recommendation was to up the dofetilide dose, which I confirmed with my own cardio, and which got me back in rhythm a few days later. I've been on the drugs and at the doses prescribed by Dr. V ever since!

I found the medical care on Bonaire completely satisfactory, if not excellent. The medical knowledge was thorough, the doctor was wonderful, and they had all the modern drugs I could have hoped for! The hospital is mostly open air, except for the ward, and there is nothing flashy about it, but when you need to be seen you are seen then and there.. there is no waiting around for 6 hours in the ER while they try to find a room. The nursing staff came in (all of them) and introduced themselves to me when I was admitted, and were in and out of the room rather continuously, chatting, monitoring, seeing if I needed anything. When they left their shift they all said goodbye and the next shift came in!

Dr. V also worked throughout his weekend off, and even gave me his cell number to call if I ran into trouble!

I continue to worry about my own condition, specifically in reference to diving, but I have no fear that should I have a problem again, that Dr. V and the nursing staff on Bonaire will take excellent care of me!

And truth be known, I'd rather be in the hospital there, than in one here! The care was MUCH better... more attentive, more thorough...

Stef (going back in Oct. for a problem free trip!)

Stef, what you describe sounds pretty familar to me. I had the opertunity to stay at Hotel San Francisco a few years back and the concern and quality of the nursing care was highly comforting. Glad to hear your stay had a happy ending also.