Blood, Freedom and Tequila

(I am writing this in an internet café in Mexico with a funky keyboard and no spell check so please forgive any typos)

It is interesting how people´s  perception of their world is distorted.  Most Americans think they live in the freest country in the world.  It is a part of the national identity.    The land of the free!  I can tell you for certain that this is not true.  By spending lots of time traveling between countries  it is easy to see discrepancies.    The fallacies in this perception.

Here is a recent example.

Before flying to Mexico two days ago I wanted to get a blood test done.   I take a blood thinner and I knew I would be drinking a lot of Tequila here in Mexico, which I have been,  so I wanted to make sure my blood levels were safe for this type of extracurricular activity.

This is normally a pretty routine activity, until I tried to do it last Saturday.  First I was informed that I had to get a doctor’s order.  In order to do this  I called the hospital and had the receptionist page the cardiologist on duty who then called me and I told him my situation.

He said he did not have access to a fax machine and for me to call the Lab in the hospital and see if they would accept a verbal order.  So I called the hospital, got transferred to the lab and found out that NO, they could not accept a verbal order.   This is for ME to get a test on MY blood!

I eventually found a friendly lab technician who was able to go into the old hospital records and find a previous order and she agreed to let me come in and get my blood tested.  I got the impression from her that she was doing something slightly illegal.

I went to the hospital and had to go through the standard and lengthy admissions process where I was even issued a hospital bracelet.  Then I found my way to the lab and had an abbreviated admissions to that particular area and then eventually my blood was drawn.

Whew, problem solved.  Tequila here I come.

Well not so fast.  After getting the test done I decided to wait for my results which usually take between 5 and 10 minutes.  So I waited.

And I waited.

Eventually I was told that they had my results BUT they were NOT ALLOWED to give them to me.   MY results!   OK now I was getting a little pissed off.

So I had to drive home, call the hospital who in turn paged the cardiologist who called me and again I explained my story.  He then had to go to the hospital and personally go into the hospital computer and find my results and then call me with them.  (they were perfect by the way)

What a waste of time and money.

Now contrast this with a third world country like Panama where I have been to labs all over the country and EVERY time and at EVERY lab I have been able to walk in get the test, for anywhere between $10 and $16, and either wait for my results.  Or more commonly I just give them my email address and they email me the results.  Fast painless and most importantly FREE.

OK I have to go do battle with this Tequila hangover.  I think I can conquer it with a cold Mexican beer.    Which by the way I can buy in a bottle and take  right on to the beach if I want.

Have a great day!