Clinica Alemana - ecografia

This is a logistics / experience post about having an ecografia in Santiago.

Clinica Alemana is wonderful.  I have posted previously about my experiences there, and I have to again say how impressed I am.  The hospital itself is new, fully modern, clean, well maintained, and it is ranked #2 in all of Latin America.  It is set up very efficiently, which means if you need to go to the ob/gyn, you go to that floor and follow the signs that tell you which receptionist to check in with (the options are general, PAP, biopsy, mamograms, sonograms, etc).  Then, they give you a receipt and you go to one of the many "cajas" and pay.  Then they call you and tell you which room to go to where there is someone already waiting for you (doc or nurse). Once in the room, you do NOT spend time waiting to be served like you do in the states.  On top of all this, there is a whole section of the hospital devoted to pacientes internacionales.  They are the liaisons for international patients and help set up appointments, translate, coordinate international insurance (which if you have an international plan you usually have to just file claims directly with the insurance company since Chile has a public health system.  however, if you go through the PI office, then they do everything for you).  It's really great.  And, best of all, they speak English!

For example, today my appointment was at 1pm.  I arrived at the PI office at 12:30pm (they ask you to come early so they can help you check in).  They then took me up to the OB floor and talked with the receptionist about checking me in as well as to make sure I didn't pay since they were billing my insurance separately.  I waited in the waiting room for 10 minutes and was called for my ecografia at 12:45pm (remember, my appointment was at 1).  The nurse set me up in the ultrasound room and the doctor came in immediately and did my ultrasound, explaining everything he saw, listened to the heart beat, all the usual stuff.  Took 10 minutes.  He then showed me to a "entrevista" room where I sat for about 2 minutes before he came back with a folder full of my sonogram pics, and a few pages of printed out statistics about my baby's biometria as well as where he is on the various growth charts for length, weight, head circumference, etc.  Asked me if I had any questions and I was on my way OUT of the hospital at 1:05pm.  5 minutes after my scheduled appointment!!  As an aside, for those who are curious, this visit cost a total of 63.933 CLP, which is roughly $115.  I only had to pay $23 since I have insurance - pretty good deal!

BEST PART: Sadie came with me (obviously) and sat in her stroller and watched the ultrasound being performed (she was shockingly very patient and well behaved!).  As soon as the baby's face came on in 3-D, she pointed and squealed with joy to see a baby.  Melted my heart.

So, if you ever are in need of a good OB in Santiago, just let me know!