Trip to Makati Medical Center

Today is my first visit as a patient/client at Makati Medical Center.

MMC is a prestigious hospital in the Philippines located in the heart of its Business Center, the Makati City, where almost all the rich and famous Filipino personalities preferred to be treated.

But why such an ordinary gal ended up here? Simply because my Neurologist, Dra. Reyes, told me they have the best facilities and she wanted an expert to read the result of my EEG, Dr. Tanya Perez (I hope that I remember the name right because my doctor's EEG request has been attached with my EEG result and left in the hospital) . So the day after my consultation with Dra. Reyes of Alabang Medical Center, I called MMC for an EEG appointment and after i think less than 6minutes. I already have my schedule. 10am, July 1. It was so easy and fast! And I was so thankful. The person that I talked to for the appointment was very helpful and accommodating, too. Too bad, I forgot to ask for her name. I could have been nicer to put nice commendations about her.

Going back to my MMC trip today... The lobby is huge yet as I enter the building, I can easily notice that the hospital is still under renovation. At least they are improving their facilities and buildings. Too bad, they don't have the luxury of space to expand more. Anyway, aesthetically speaking, Asian Hospital is still my bet. Though, I haven't been to Medical City and the soon to be opened Tagaytay Hospital.

Moving on, the personnel in the information area gave the correct directions going to the EEG area. No arrow signs or markings are noticeable enough to find your way at a shorter time. But it was in the 4th floor, in the " Neurophysiology and Sleep Disorders Laboratory", and besides the Delivery Room.

It was exactly 10am, their clock-time, when I arrived in the Lab. I filled-up the information form, handed over my EEG request, and paid my bill at the Delivery Room area as soon as I arrived. I finished everything at around 10:15am, their clock-time. They called me for the procedure at 10:30am. 15minute-waiting time. not long enough. It's okay and bearable. I even had the time to go to the restroom before the procedure since I expect an hour of EEG just like what I had at CMC.

I was accompanied by Ms. Villamor, the technician, to the EEG room. And my surprise started all there.

It was my second EEG. So who can blame me if I will compare it with the treatment I had with CMC. They both billed of almost equal amount so I expected at least an almost similar ambiance, if not better since MMC is the "best" as most claim. But it was a Big "NO"!

First of all, the MMC EEG room looks like a regular ER or ward of an ordinary hospital and is approximately 3meters wide and 4-5meters in length. It has a very tiny comfort room inside. Anyway, the 3 meter-wide room is divided by foldable divider, with two single hard beds, 1 super hard pillow for each bed (that's on my opinion since I got a very hard pillow that I had a neck pain afterwards), 2 EEG machines, and you are right, it serves two patients at the same time! Comparing with CMC, room is very relaxing. They have a double or queen size bed, comfortable pillow, comforters. They even have a nice rest room inside the EEG room. It was a great hotel type accommodation just for the EEG procedure! Beside the bed is the computer and EEG machine. Plus they have an extension room with a big viewing glass for all their other equipment and accessories and for other observers. LOL.

Second point, the electrodes stuck on my head keeps on showing the "Artifact-that's what I hear from Ms. Villamor" thing on the screen.. She has annoyingly said it and fixed the different electrodes on my head many times.. I guess more than 10 times.. And it made me feel sad and anxious and run thoughts in my mind.. "Will this reading give an accurate one? How sure am I she's putting the electrodes correctly? Thought MMC has the best facilities? " But the technician said she is already working there for 3 years, so, I gues that would be enough experience for putting on the electrodes. Well, I still asked her after the procedure why is she having problems with the electrodes? I even gave my opinion that maybe its time to an EEG machine replacement-meant as a joke.. LOL. And guess what?! She answered me... "No! Sometimes, it malfunction because of the patient! The patient won't relax so it doesn't get recognized properly!" Ouch! I didn't know that it is my fault! She should have told me earlier so I should have requested for another technician and she should not have almost yelled at me and pulled my hair during the procedure! Sigh...

Lastly, my head still aches. And I want it gone! That is why I'm not going to work just to get my treatment and have the relaxation that my brain needs! But how can you relax! As soon as I entered the EEG room, what you can hear frequently is the word "GIRL!" Sort of the technicians' expressions to call each others' attention. "Uy, Girl... you know.. the vacation.. something.. something..." Ms. Villamor tells me to relax! But, they talk too much! She talks too much! How can a patient relax! Aren't they are supposed to just be quiet and instruct us to open and close our eyes if it is already the time to do so! In CMC, only the technician and the patient are allowed to be in the EEG room. They talk quietly. They wanted the patient to relax. They told me that it is important for me to relax, with no extra movement so what they can purely record is my brain waves. They have the same procedure with opening-closing of the eyes, breathing, and light. But CMC allowed me to sleep for a few minutes, too. I don't know why. In MMC, I think they are so in a hurry. As soon as the procedure is done, she said "Okay na. I'll just remove some of the paste on your hair then you can wash it with water at home since it's water-soluble".

After the procedure, Ms. Villamor approached me nicely, swabbing my hair with wet cotton and giving me the intructions on how to claim the result and asking me to fill up the survey sheet. I'm nice with the survey form.

Stop the crap! This is my diary! I can be myself here!

What I feel about my MMC visit.. It was very Disappointing!

Btw... Here are the websites for the Hospitals mentioned above:
Alabang Medical Center-www.alabangmedicalcenter.ph
Asian Hospital and Medical Center-www.asianhospital.com
Capitol Medical Center-www.capitolmedical.org
Makati Medical Center-www.makatimed.net.ph
The Medical City-www.themedicalcity.com