BajaNomad

Hospital in La Paz or Los Cabos?

koala - 10-15-2010 at 06:30 AM

Hi,

I would like to know if a person should go to La Paz or Los Cabos if there is any medical emergency specifically for a pregnant woman. A friend of mine is pregnant (I believe she is in her 7th month) and although she is healthy and doctor has approved for her to travel, she just want to know where to go when something happen.

If I can get specific name of the hospital or doctor, that will be great.

Thank you!!

Baja&Back - 10-15-2010 at 09:07 AM

The Fidepaz hospital in La Paz is best. 4 story purple building on the Mex 1 highway north about 2 miles from downtown. At the first dogleg left, just past the old Casa Blanca RV park. Excellent staff & services with Mexican prices. (personal experiences)

The "American" hospitals in Cabo rip you off with outrageous American prices. Some have even been known to detain patients, using the police, until full payment is made!

BMG - 10-15-2010 at 10:49 AM

We've been very pleased with the care given at the Fidepaz purple hospital and have heard good things from others who have had to go there.

bajajazz - 10-15-2010 at 11:35 AM

The multi-service hospital/clinic at FideiPaz is the best healthcare operation in all of BCS. There are other good hospitals in La Paz, however. What is most important is to avoid getting any kind of treatment in Cabo San Lucas. The treatment facilities there are a stink in the nostrils of the medical profession. Why anyone travels to that cheap (but expensive) tourist trap is beyond me.

longlegsinlapaz - 10-15-2010 at 12:04 PM

Since they saved my life again last week....Fidepaz Hospital gets a resounding vote from me!!! You're asking a retired crowd for a recommendation for a prenatal doc???? :O:o Can't recommend a specific individual, but all the doctors I've had dealings with at Fidepaz have been top notch!

And it's PINK & PURPLE! ;)

pacside - 10-15-2010 at 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Since they saved my life again last week....Fidepaz Hospital gets a resounding vote from me!!! You're asking a retired crowd for a recommendation for a prenatal doc???? :O:o Can't recommend a specific individual, but all the doctors I've had dealings with at Fidepaz have been top notch!

And it's PINK & PURPLE! ;)


Well if that isn't an endorsement I don't know what is. Hope you are ok now.

After Shari's experience (awesome work btw) I was going to pose this same question so I knew where to go in case of an emergency. We spend most of our time in the Todos Santos area and always thought we'd head down to cabo for emergencies but now thanks to this board I know to go to Fidepaz Hospital instead.

What are the exact directions to get to this 4 story purple & pink building if coming from Todos area? I will print it out and have handy at all times.

Also, do they have a 24/7 emergency room?

Thanks,
pacside

longlegsinlapaz - 10-15-2010 at 12:40 PM

pacside, slowly regaining my strength, but it's going to be a long uphill trip!!

If I could post pics on Nomad, I'd post a Google Earth map....but you'll have to settle for the GPS coordinates....it's on Trans Peninsular Hwy (aka Abosolo or Obregon) at Del Pez Vela. It's across the hwy from The Del Sol Motel, on the right heading into town from Walmart & before you get to Calle Del Mediterraneo. at 24 07 49.13 N & 110 20 32.48 W.

Yes, ER is open 24 x 7 And there is an on-site pharmacy.

BMG - 10-15-2010 at 12:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Since they saved my life again last week....
Quit testing them.

longlegsinlapaz - 10-15-2010 at 12:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BMG
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz

Since they saved my life again last week....
Quit testing them.


Hey, after they fixed Lingilinguini's wrist, I had to see if they were any good with internal stuff!;) I'm pleased to be here to say, thank GAWD they are! They've stood up well to every test I've thrown at them....granted this was the most severe!:(

bajalou - 10-15-2010 at 01:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
pacside, slowly regaining my strength, but it's going to be a long uphill trip!!

If I could post pics on Nomad, I'd post a Google Earth map....but you'll have to settle for the GPS coordinates....it's on Trans Peninsular Hwy (aka Abosolo or Obregon) at Del Pez Vela. It's across the hwy from The Del Sol Motel, on the right heading into town from Walmart & before you get to Calle Del Mediterraneo. at 24 07 49.13 N & 110 20 32.48 W.

Yes, ER is open 24 x 7 And there is an on-site pharmacy.


If you edit the lat/long to 24 07 49.13 -110 20 32.48 you can paste it into the search box of Google Earth and fly right there. Google earth also has lots of ground level photo views of the streets on both sides.

Hope you never need it - but here it is.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-15-2010 at 01:29 PM

Longlegs:

Hope you are not offended by me asking but what was your reason for going??

Skeet

longlegsinlapaz - 10-15-2010 at 02:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Longlegs:

Hope you are not offended by me asking but what was your reason for going??

Skeet


Skeet, not offended....my reason for going to the hospital was prolonged diarrhea, severe stomach pain & vomiting....for the rest of the details, please go to:

http://www.talkbaja.com/showthread.php?t=356

My post dated 10/9....post #24 of the thread

Edit post number....due to technical difficulties!;)

[Edited on 10-15-2010 by longlegsinlapaz]

Bajahowodd - 10-15-2010 at 02:41 PM

I can't disagree with any of the posts here. Just the fact that Cabo was a sleepy fishing village 25 years ago, while La Paz has been a functioning city way back in time. That said, I do note that the original post on this thread does not identify the location where they would be if such an emergency arises. Perhaps everyone assumes it's Todos. If so, just as pacside mentioned, it would be a no-brainer, especially considering the highway construction going on South of Todos.

I would also note that even the evil American- oriented medical services, as high-priced as they may be, might be of some comfort to some tourists who may have little or no fluency in Spanish.

mike odell - 10-15-2010 at 03:38 PM

I can personally recommend Blue Medical Net in Cabo, across the highway from the
Home Depot store. It has an ICU unit, great care, very affordable also. I spent 3 days
there. I told the Doc in the ambulance to let me croak before going to P-nche Amerimed!!
Also had back surgery at the Nun's hospital in San Jose 4 years ago, also a great care
facility. The hospital itself is old, but amazingly clean. The Nun's in their Penguin suit's
were wonderful, and my back doc Herman Valensuela is now my go to guy if I need
recomendations for other specialists.

Bajatripper - 10-16-2010 at 02:09 PM

Just for general info; a while ago there were a series of articles in the Gringo Gazzette--more like horror stories--about a hospital in Los Cabos (unfortunately, I don't remember which one) that was doing some real crappy things to tourists, charging outrageous fees, contacting relatives in the US to shake them down, too, and a host of other shady practices. Perhaps someone has more info on that they'd care to pass along?

karenintx - 10-16-2010 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
Just for general info; a while ago there were a series of articles in the Gringo Gazzette--more like horror stories--about a hospital in Los Cabos (unfortunately, I don't remember which one) that was doing some real crappy things to tourists, charging outrageous fees, contacting relatives in the US to shake them down, too, and a host of other shady practices. Perhaps someone has more info on that they'd care to pass along?


That was Amerimed Hospital.

DavidE - 10-16-2010 at 04:33 PM

The Mexican medical system seems to be fairly adept when it comes to delivering babies.

1985 San Lucas was a "sleepy fishing village". What the heck was it ten years earlier?

Bajahowodd - 10-16-2010 at 04:38 PM

Quizas. I've known Carrie for a long time. I challenge any long time reader of GG to say that she doesn't go over the top from time to time. Usually, the voice of reason is David Flores, a Mexican citizen. And the guy who has done the heavy lifting for the past 16 years. I've noted posts that claim that Carrie is anti-Mexican. Not so sure that is true. I think that she is more anti anyone other than she.

Juanita - 10-17-2010 at 07:38 AM

I recently had a colon section at the hospital called Fidepaz. Its formal name is Centro de Estudios Medicos. I was there five days and had a good look around. Although small, it is top notch. I had worried they might not have 'call' buttons in the rooms, but they did, and in the bathroom, all pleasant painted, modern and patient-friendly. My room had a window I could open and a tree with a bird singing. The nursing care was frequent and spit-spot clean. The doctors speak English, and my surgeon had trained in Minnesota and was the army surgeon, Dr. Enrique Hernandez de Anda. My own doctor, who did the prior colonoscopy and assisted at the surgery is Dra. Margarita Chiapa. As I was exercising in the hall, I saw a young pregnant woman and her husband being escorted to a room by a nurse, and later the announcement posted on her door and balloons and flowers being delivered. I would have no hesitation going there again, but they do like you to have a friend who can do errands for you and keep you company on the couch that first night, till you get oriented. Driving southward on the transpeninsular, I learned to look for the masts of the first sailboats peeking up on the left. That marks the corner where you turn right into the side street where the hospital is visible immediately behind its trees.

koala - 10-18-2010 at 06:19 AM

Thank you all for helpful info. I was under the impression that Cabo hospital might be more familiar with foreigners, so I almost recommended my friend to go to Cabo rather La Paz.:yes:

bajajudy - 10-18-2010 at 07:00 AM

I have no first hand experience but I have heard very good things about the Amerimed clinic in Los Barriles and the one here in San Jose. I agree with Mike on the nuns hospital(I think that the real name is San Jose clinic). Legs can tell us but my guess is that you would have better luck finding someone who spoke English here.

longlegsinlapaz - 10-18-2010 at 09:55 AM

I've had no experience with medical care in either Cabo or San Jose....I've stuck closer to home! ;)

I can tell you that the Nuns Hospital in La Paz is more traditionally Mexican & none of the Nuns speak English, which turned out to be a good thing....when the doc cut too soon before I was totally numb & "Holy Sheep" (euphemism!) slipped out of my mouth, they just smiled sweetly & weren't offended! :D

In my experience at the Fidepaz Hospital, there's a mix of doctors & nurses who speak varying degrees of English, from a very basic few specific medical terminology words to very fluent. But I have noticed that even the more fluent doctors do tend to slip back into Espanol, especially when they get to the more technical explanations when I have a Mexican amiga with me. Which is fine with me, because I know I'll most likely be getting a more accurate translation from my fluent English-speaking amiga. I always try to have my amiga go with me, especially in more serious or potential life-threatening situations; I'm not willing to risk my life over a translation error! Ditto on legal issues.

Bajatripper - 10-22-2010 at 11:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
when the doc cut too soon before I was totally numb & "Holy Sheep" (euphemism!) slipped out of my mouth, they just smiled sweetly & weren't offended!


But did the doctor stop cutting?:lol:

Bajatripper - 10-22-2010 at 12:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by koala
Thank you all for helpful info. I was under the impression that Cabo hospital might be more familiar with foreigners, so I almost recommended my friend to go to Cabo rather La Paz.:yes:


One other thing to consider when choosing between the two; a friend recently consulted a dentist here in La Paz about a procedure and was given a price. She then asked if she could have the work done at the dentist's office in Los Cabos as she would be relocating down there for three months due to her work. The dentist responded that yes, she could attend her there, but that the procedure would cost her 300 pesos more since things tend to be more expensive down there.

longlegsinlapaz - 10-22-2010 at 01:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
when the doc cut too soon before I was totally numb & "Holy Sheep" (euphemism!) slipped out of my mouth, they just smiled sweetly & weren't offended!


But did the doctor stop cutting?:lol:
You must mean my EX-doctor who told me all I could be feeling was pressure of him working on me...no way the fact he refused to give me as much local as I told him my body required had any bearing on the PAIN I felt from him cutting!!:no: He was mistaken! The SOB finished the surgery & stitched up my elbow.:fire: I never saw him again...not even for follow-ups! I've forgotten his name now, but there is no way I'd ever go back to him or refer him, guess that's safe since I forgot his name!

Bajatripper - 10-23-2010 at 12:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
Quote:
Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
when the doc cut too soon before I was totally numb & "Holy Sheep" (euphemism!) slipped out of my mouth, they just smiled sweetly & weren't offended!


But did the doctor stop cutting?:lol:
You must mean my EX-doctor who told me all I could be feeling was pressure of him working on me...no way the fact he refused to give me as much local as I told him my body required had any bearing on the PAIN I felt from him cutting!!:no: He was mistaken! The SOB finished the surgery & stitched up my elbow.:fire: I never saw him again...not even for follow-ups! I've forgotten his name now, but there is no way I'd ever go back to him or refer him, guess that's safe since I forgot his name!


Yikes!
I think that "Hijo de tu madre, eso duele!!" yelled as loud as you could would have been appropriate, and probably resulted in him putting the scalpel down. Either that, or he'd of cut out your tongue.

unbob - 10-23-2010 at 02:01 PM

Re Fidepaz hospital in La Paz, here's my story:

I spent 4 days as an in-patient there in Feb 2004. I had gotten dehydrated and became very sick due to over-exertion after a gonzo mtn bike ride in the mountains above La Ventana. Could not drink or eat anything without immediately coming back "up". Layed horizontal in my van for 4 days before friends finally took me to the hospital. I'm convinced that another day just laying there would have been the end of the road for me.

Overall, I was satisfied with my treatment - after all, I survived and recovered. However, they really dropped the ball when I had a Bells Palsy attack while in the hospital. Their only "treatment" was to hand me a small vial of eye drops. No one explained what the eye drops were for or told me that I was in fact having a Bells Palsy "episode". I was so out of it that I don't think I even used the eye drops. They should have immediately taped my eye shut to prevent my cornea from drying out. Unfortunately, they did not and I suffered permanent damage to my cornea.

I had no clue about Bells Palsy and never heard of it until I returned to the campground after being discharged from the hospital. Someone in the CG had been afflicted with BP some years before and when seeing that my right eyelid was open and not blinking, said I must have Bells Palsy. That was news to me!

So, while I was treated well for my initial condition, they failed miserably to respond and treat my BP episode.

Of the 3 docs I encountered on my "visit", one spoke fluent english, one broken english and one no english at all.

Keep in mind this occurred in 2004. Hopefully, everything has improved and only gotten better since then.

Would I go to Fidepaz hospital again? Yeah, I guess so, I don't know of anyplace better.

Good Luck to anyone "visiting" the Fidepaz hospital!