FREE CLINICS AND SURGERY CENTERS
Filed Under Health Care |
SHORT-TERM SURGERY CENTERS
Recently a number of facilities specially designed for surgery which requires only a short stay (overnight at the most) have appeared. Obviously such surgery is minor and the patient must basically be in good health. Since such centers are able to avoid some of the overhead of a hospital, they often can charge you less for the use of their facilities. But, since they do not have the capability to handle difficult cases or complications, you should use them only when the procedure is truly minor.
CONVALESCENT FACILITIES
Nursing homes and various types of rehabilitation facilities provide for the patient who does not require more expensive care but cannot be adequately managed at home. These facilities range from abysmal to superb. In the best circumstances, with dedicated nursing and regular physician attendance, a comfortable and homelike situation for the patient can accelerate the healing process. In other cases, disinterest, inadequate facilities, and minimal care are the rule. Before suggesting or accepting referral to a nursing home facility, visit the facility or have a friend or relative visit it for you. In the convalescent setting, your comfort with the arrangements is essential.
FREE CLINICS
In many areas of the country, “free clinics” have developed. In some cases, they have appeared because the general medical care in the community has been poor. In others, clinics have developed to deal with undesired pregnancies, drug use, and venereal disease. These clinics are high in idealism and usually short in money. Sympathetic care from sensitive individuals is the rule. Facilities will be limited, but considerable thought will have been given to those services included, so that relatively little is lost.
These clinics provide care for many who would not find it available elsewhere. However, the financial instability and the political ferment of many free clinics make their continued existence uncertain; these clinics come into and go out of existence with regularity. Free clinics do not present any challenge to organized medicine but serve to remind it of its inequities. In most cases, they deserve much broader community support than they receive.
It will be worth your time to investigate the various medical facilities in your area. If you can, visit them and ask questions. “Is there emergency care?” “Is there always a doctor on duty?” “What are your payment arrangements?” Then choose the facilities that will best meet your needs.