Shocking experience at Busamed Hospital (Somerset West)

I was rushed to the Busamed Hospital emergency for chest pain on Thursday 9th September. My spouse was told that the medical aid is closed and they need his permission for a brain scan to be done until the medical aid approves. This was at 16h04 and he needed to sign it off as private and they will sort it out in the morning. He questioned why a brain scan and noticed that his details were incorrect. He asked for this to be corrected and the ER doctor came rushing in declaring that this is the WRONG patient!!.

I received shocking treatment for my two abnormal ECG's and we left the hospital with in the same condition in which I arrived having had no relief of her chest pain and no diagnosis from a treating doctor as none would see me or admit me. The emergency room doctor referred me to a specialist who refused to come and examine me.

The ER Doctor sent requests to my medical aid for authorisation for both a Brain scan or a Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux test which almost initiated additional underwriting and caused me huge inconvenience. It was later determined and admitted to by the Hospital Manager that the leads of the ECG machine were plugged in the wrong order and this was done twice at Busamed staff. Both readings showed an irregular heart rhythm and impending heart failure, TWICE. This was communicated to me by A DOCTOR!

I was told that the Cardiologist had been consulted with and he thought it was reflux. He did not come and see me and no further tests were done. They discharged me with two Nexium and we had to drive home shortly before curfew.

At this juncture Busamed is expecting me to pay for service that is so lacking, incorrect ECG's, *********** doctors and staff. The hospital manager admitted to the fact that his staff made a mistake and I am supposed to pay for this?

I went to Stellenbosch MediClinic the next day and received the care I needed and deserved as a patient and left that hospital feeling much better and understanding that there is a difference between Private hospitals and Busamed should have a review of their internal processes and the way that they treat patients.