Experience with Eclipse medical center

[lrwl2006]

I would like to share our experience with the medical treatment I received on the Eclipse after I accidently fell and broke by arm/shoulder on a private excursion in Aruba last month. What happened was an accident and in no way do I hold anyone responsible. We returned to the ship and immediately went to the medical center where x-rays were taken. When the doctor reviewed the x-rays, she immediately determined that I should be sent to the hospital. She told my husband to return to our room and pack our suitcases because my injury was so severe I would need immediate surgery and would not be returning to the ship.

At the Aruba hospital, additional X-rays were taken verifying a clean fracture that would heal naturally if the arm were confined in a sling. Immediate surgery would not be necessary. The written report from the hospital indicated that I was fit to return to the ship.

Upon our return to the dock, the doctor met us before we boarded and strongly disagreed with the hospital evaluation. She indicated that the hospital personnel were incompetent and reminded us numerous times that only she could define a person fit to board the ship. Her arguments for defining why I was unfit to board were as follows:

· We should have seen an orthopedic specialist, not an ER doctor because she felt an orthopedic doctor would have clearly agreed with her assessment of the severity of the fracture

· Because I take blood thinning medication, a bleeding incident could not be treated on the ship (although there was no indication of bleeding due to the accident)

· If allowed to return to ship, I would be in severe pain and would be continually bothering the medical department for pain medication

We assured the doctor that we would see an orthopedic specialist in Curacao the next morning. Her response as she walked away was, “I’ll disembark you today or I’ll disembark you tomorrow”.

The following morning while we were working with customer service personnel to make an appointment with a specialist, we learned that the doctor had made an appointment for me at the hospital in Curacao. We assumed this was for a second opinion; however, the doctor had only requested an evaluation of my fitness to fly. The hospital orthopedic resident reviewed the x-rays and verbally stated the Aruba recommended treatment was appropriate, but he refused to include that in his written report, citing his orders were only to assess my fitness to fly. Upon our return to the ship, we were held at the dock, our luggage was brought to us, and we were sent on our way.

My x-rays were evaluated by orthopedic specialists in Tampa, FL, and Dayton, Ohio. Both doctors agreed non-surgical treatment was the standard option and if surgery was warranted, immediate action was not necessary. They also assured us that my blood thinning medication created no additional risk due to the fracture.

I was in a lot of pain after the fall, but I had pain medication from the Aruba hospital. Had we remained on the cruise I could have enjoyed our balcony, the dinning experience, evening entertainment and other ship activities. However, the doctor made a decision within 10 minutes that I was to be removed from the ship and was not deterred by other medical judgments. At no time were either of us part of the decision process.

I have followed these boards enough to know that the ship’s doctor has the final say when it comes to whether a passenger should continue a cruise or not; however, a doctor refusing to reconsider an initial diagnosis after receiving additional medical evaluations is irresponsible. Conferring with other medical personnel before making a definitive medical diagnosis is not a sign of weakness but rather a demonstration of professionalism, a trait the ship’s doctor has not developed.

We have written a letter to Celebrity’s CEO and President and are awaiting a reply. We do not want compensation for our experience but an acknowledgement how poorly this was handled. Will we cruise again? I am not sure since my medical care was totally taken out of my control and this would be true with any cruise line. Luckily, we had purchased very good insurance so all of our expenses will be covered.

I did opt for optional surgery on our return home and am slowly recovering from my injury. I will be glad to answer any questions.

[TWG_ag]

As soon as the ship doctor confirmed a break, I would have been pulling out my trip insurance and arranging the first flight back to the US to see an American board certified orthopedic doctor. I do not have overwhelming confidence in the ship's doctors and I assume they are always concerned with the company's liability, but I would have less confidence in a Caribbean Hospital ER doctor. One thing they all agreed on was the break, and that would have been enough for me to bring my wife home or for her to get me home. Again, sorry for the injury and lost vacation time, but it was time to get home and get treated, IMO.

[tutuwahineLV]

I'm glad to hear that you're on the road to recovery. But, I agree with TWG on this. Personally my first thought would be how I was getting back home asap, not that the treatment in the Caribe would have been sub standard, after all, many many of our physicians here in the US did their studies and training there, but because I'd have in no way have enjoyed the remainder of the vacation worrying about the arm/shoulder. pain pills or not. But that's just me.

[Iamthesea]

I also agree. My mother had this same type of break a couple of years ago while at home. She was also on Warfrin. No surgery AT ALL was needed or even suggested for her break. She ended up having some bleeding problems that eventually lead to a stroke.

 

Apparently, the onboard doctor could see that your break could use some surgery. It may not have been necessary, but you went ahead with it. ;)

 

Perhaps the onboard doctor could have had a better bedside manner and not become so defensive. Because of your medical history, I think she did the right thing for the cruiseline, the ship and all other passengers. Had you stayed onboard, and had a problem with bleeding, you could have had to be airlifted off. :eek: Or the ship could have been diverted to a nearby island, which could have caused a delay or cancellation for other ports.

 

Hope you are on the road to recovery and will consider cruising again. :)

Edited March 25, 2014 by Iamthesea

[Jane2357]

So sorry that you had an accident and hurt yourself but it sounds like you are on the mend. I'm sure that you are not happy about being forced off of the ship but I'm going to have to side with the Dr on this one - good bedside manner or not.

 

This in mho comes down to liability - and these days they are not going to take any chances. You clearly had an injury and were in pain. If they had let you continue to cruise and you had taken the pain killers given to you in Aruba - and gotten out of bed later in the cruise and fell - lawsuit. Or mix pain killer with a glass of wine - overboard you went - lawsuit. Not that you would do any of that but they have to look at worse case situations. Had a bleeding problem started - big problem at sea that could have cost the cruise line money and time for an emergency evacuation. Once injured, to keep you onboard makes them responsible.

 

It is great news that you had insurance - so many don't and you hear the horror stories of that. I hope that you will take that cruise again and put this behind you.