NCL in the News For Medical Staff Issue

[stanmoto98]

Coral cuts can be very dangerous & have a high risk for infection.

That is a dead on statement!

 

People commenting why the doctor on board didn't remove the coral don't have clue what they are talking about. Sustaining a cut from coral is one of the nastiest types of cuts you can get... unless it is treated immediately (as in not waiting to get back to the ship), the chance of a protracted recovery is almost guaranteed. It is not uncommon for small pieces of coral to be missed under circumstances like this... ask anyone in the surfing community! And the biggest problem with coral is that even the smallest pieces will start to grow inside the body at a pretty rapid rate.

 

That being said... the shipboard doctor should have advised the passenger to see his primary physician once back home. And who knows, maybe he did.

[Norwegian Cruise Line]

Norwegian is fully committed to providing medical services through licensed physicians and nurses and all of our ships feature medical facilities that are built, staffed and equipped to meet or exceed the guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physician’s (ACEP).

[maggie cruises]

Norwegian is fully committed to providing medical services through licensed physicians and nurses and all of our ships feature medical facilities that are built, staffed and equipped to meet or exceed the guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physician’s (ACEP).

 

 

 

Are your medical facilities an outside company? Similar to your spa facilities? Your art auctions?

 

Please clarify as the question was brought up a few posts back

 

Thank you

 

 

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[TwizzlersAddict]

Are your medical facilities an outside company? Similar to your spa facilities? Your art auctions?

 

Please clarify as the question was brought up a few posts back

 

Thank you

 

 

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This is from the ticket contract

 

8. Independent Contractors:

 

(a) Off-Vessel Transport and Activities:

 

The Guest recognizes and agrees that, if and when the Carrier makes arrangements for the Guest for air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transfers, shore excursions, medical care and/or for other transportation, activities, services, facilities or amusements occurring off of the vessel, the Carrier does so solely for the convenience of the Guest, the Carrier does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such conveyances, services or facilities, and the same are provided by independent contractors who work directly for the Guest and Guest is subject to such terms, if any, appearing in the tickets, vouchers or notices of such party or parties. Therefore, the Guest agrees that the Carrier assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such person, party, contractor, service or facility, and that the Carrier shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such person, party, contractor, service or facility.

 

9. Medical Services and Facilities:

 

The Guest recognizes and agrees that the Carrier is not in the business of providing medical services and/or operating medical facilities. To the extent that the vessel provides a surgeon or physician, or if the vessel requests emergency or other medical care or evacuation for the Guest on the Guest's behalf (hereinafter, "Medical Services"), it is understood and agreed that the Carrier does so solely for the convenience of the Guest, that such Medical Services are provided by medical professionals who work directly for the Guest, and that the Carrier does not undertake to supervise, nor does it supervise or direct the actions of the person(s) providing such Medical Services. The Guest therefore agrees that the Carrier cannot guarantee the performance of such Medical Services, and that the Carrier shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising therefrom. Persons or entities providing Medical Services shall be entitled to make a proper charge for any service performed for or on behalf of the Guest, and the cost of such service shall be the sole responsibility of the Guest. The Guest hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Carrier for any funds advanced on account of any such charges.

[Sam Ting]

Norwegian is fully committed to providing medical services through licensed physicians and nurses and all of our ships feature medical facilities that are built, staffed and equipped to meet or exceed the guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physician’s (ACEP).

 

Licensed by who?

[maggie cruises]

This is from the ticket contract

 

8. Independent Contractors:

 

(a) Off-Vessel Transport and Activities:

 

The Guest recognizes and agrees that, if and when the Carrier makes arrangements for the Guest for air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transfers, shore excursions, medical care and/or for other transportation, activities, services, facilities or amusements occurring off of the vessel, the Carrier does so solely for the convenience of the Guest, the Carrier does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such conveyances, services or facilities, and the same are provided by independent contractors who work directly for the Guest and Guest is subject to such terms, if any, appearing in the tickets, vouchers or notices of such party or parties. Therefore, the Guest agrees that the Carrier assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such person, party, contractor, service or facility, and that the Carrier shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such person, party, contractor, service or facility.

 

9. Medical Services and Facilities:

 

The Guest recognizes and agrees that the Carrier is not in the business of providing medical services and/or operating medical facilities. To the extent that the vessel provides a surgeon or physician, or if the vessel requests emergency or other medical care or evacuation for the Guest on the Guest's behalf (hereinafter, "Medical Services"), it is understood and agreed that the Carrier does so solely for the convenience of the Guest, that such Medical Services are provided by medical professionals who work directly for the Guest, and that the Carrier does not undertake to supervise, nor does it supervise or direct the actions of the person(s) providing such Medical Services. The Guest therefore agrees that the Carrier cannot guarantee the performance of such Medical Services, and that the Carrier shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising therefrom. Persons or entities providing Medical Services shall be entitled to make a proper charge for any service performed for or on behalf of the Guest, and the cost of such service shall be the sole responsibility of the Guest. The Guest hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Carrier for any funds advanced on account of any such charges.

 

 

 

Thanks for this info...but...who determines who will be awarded the Medical contract ?

 

Ncl?

 

 

 

 

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[FranknBeans]

I am not saying that the essential facts are wrong, but it is a poorly researched article. As others have mentioned, it is usual to pay and then get reimbursed by your insurer. Here's another article, from Consumer Reports dated 2015.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/04/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-medical-care-on-cruise-ships/index.htm

 

 

In Feb on board POA i took sick while in Kona. Medical on board charged everything to onboard acct. The hospital I didn't pay because we were in contact w insurance company who advised us to go ahead. they then were in contact with hospital all day and approved the charges. When I cam home i got ambulance and hospitals bills via mail then submitted to insurance co. who inturn paid out to them. So I was not out of pocket.

[ElaineKeagy]

Thanks for this info...but...who determines who will be awarded the Medical contract ?

 

Ncl?

 

 

 

 

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Well, who would you expect would award the medical contract?

 

 

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[mjkacmom]

In Feb on board POA i took sick while in Kona. Medical on board charged everything to onboard acct. The hospital I didn't pay because we were in contact w insurance company who advised us to go ahead. they then were in contact with hospital all day and approved the charges. When I cam home i got ambulance and hospitals bills via mail then submitted to insurance co. who inturn paid out to them. So I was not out of pocket.

That was a US hospital, I never have to pay OOP at the hospital after they get a copy of my insurance card. Th3 ship isn’t a US hospital.

[Son of a son of a ...]

All professionals may make mistakes, even NCL med staff. It is called the “practice” of medicine ... left to the judgement of the professionals. The matter depends on whether the med staff followed the standard of care. While folks wish to be the jury, the issue of negligence remains to be tried in court.

[BirdTravels]

Thanks for the link; it really helps explain and gives good information about this issue.

 

It is a buyer beware.

IMHO it may be a good idea ask where the 'physician' is licensed to practice, USA? It may give an idea of a level of education etc. A 'dr' educated in some countries do not have anywhere near what is required to practice in the USA.

 

This poor man is a good example of the need for follow-up with your own physician ASAP when injured etc. and treated away from home.

 

Safe sailing! :)

Why would you ask that. You are on an an international vessel registered in The Bahamas. Why would you expect a physician licensed in the USA????

[maggie cruises]

Well, who would you expect would award the medical contract?

 

 

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Um exactly! Ncl either signed them on or perhaps...and this is more likely...ncl uses a company that is trained to hire medical professionals? Do you really think ncl is qualified to hire stewards? Entertainment staff? Medical staff? Nope...they pass the liability on to a third party trained to interview and hire and do background checks....ncl is not in that business they are in the cruise itinerary business ...selling excursions...casino business. Etc.

 

Although Ncl does bear a certain amount of responsibility should the medical team not be stellar as it was ncl who in fact hired the company who hired the medical staff.

 

 

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Edited February 10, 2018 by maggie cruises

[maggie cruises]

In Feb on board POA i took sick while in Kona. Medical on board charged everything to onboard acct. The hospital I didn't pay because we were in contact w insurance company who advised us to go ahead. they then were in contact with hospital all day and approved the charges. When I cam home i got ambulance and hospitals bills via mail then submitted to insurance co. who inturn paid out to them. So I was not out of pocket.

 

 

 

You never were out of the USA. Big difference

 

 

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[ElaineKeagy]

Um exactly! Ncl signed them on. They are a sub contractor to ncl

 

Ncl does bear a certain amount of responsibility should the medical team not be stellar

 

 

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The last thing I would expect on a budget cruise line is stellar medical care. I doubt graduates of Harvard and Johns Hopkins are fighting each other to be the medical officer on a cruise ship.

 

9. You can sue the cruise line, but you will lose

Courts have ruled that a cruise line may not be held vicariously liable for the negligence of a ship’s doctor, and that “a cruise ship is not a floating hospital.” To the surprise of many disgruntled passengers, there’s no medical malpractice for care rendered aboard a ship. “The physician is a private contractor,” Klein says, “and don’t think that the cruise line will accept liability—that’s been tested all the way up to the Supreme Court of Florida.”

 

 

 

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[maggie cruises]

The last thing I would expect on a budget cruise line is stellar medical care. I doubt graduates of Harvard and Johns Hopkins are fighting each other to be the medical officer on a cruise ship.

 

9. You can sue the cruise line, but you will lose

Courts have ruled that a cruise line may not be held vicariously liable for the negligence of a ship’s doctor, and that “a cruise ship is not a floating hospital.” To the surprise of many disgruntled passengers, there’s no medical malpractice for care rendered aboard a ship. “The physician is a private contractor,” Klein says, “and don’t think that the cruise line will accept liability—that’s been tested all the way up to the Supreme Court of Florida.”

 

 

 

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You are making my point.

 

 

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[ElaineKeagy]

Not really.

 

 

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[maggie cruises]

Not really.

 

 

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Ok great

 

 

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