Day 1 & 2: Admission and Transfer to ICU

To provide context, my cousin initially believed he had a viral fever for three days before being admitted to a nearby hospital. After several tests confirmed dengue and revealed a troubling drop in his platelet count, he was moved to Yashodha, which was better equipped.

On March 29th at midnight, he was admitted with a platelet count of 80,000. For nearly 24 hours, this figure remained unchanged (considering both March 29th and 30th as the first day).

March 30th Morning Report: Platelet Count 80k

However, by March 31st (Day 2), it plummeted to 10,000, prompting the doctor to recommend a transfusion, and he was transferred to the ICU.

March 31st Morning Report: Platelet Count 10k

The transfusion took place that evening.

Day 3: Lack of Access to Reports and Miscommunication

On April 1st, when my uncle and I consulted our primary physician (let's refer to him as Dr. Soma), he informed us that the platelet count had risen to 20,000.

April 1st Morning Report: Platelet Count 20k

We were reassured that if it remained above 20,000, my cousin could transition to the general ward, and he would be discharged once the count hit 70,000. However, Dr. Soma refused to provide access to the patient's reports when I pressed for them. We had not seen any reports until that point.

Most concerning was that upon his ICU admission, previous hospital reports had been taken as well, leaving us empty-handed. I was shocked when the doctor stated, "Patients can't access the reports because we need them."

At that moment, I realized I had forgotten that patients have a right to their own medical records.

Later that evening, the nurse informed us that my cousin's platelet count had dropped to 12,000, necessitating another transfusion, prolonging his ICU stay.

Day 4: Arguments, Miscommunication, and Conflicting Reports

By April 2nd, my uncle and I were frustrated. Typically, we could visit my cousin in the ICU around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this visit, Dr. Soma indicated that the platelet count had improved to 30,000 after the second transfusion, and that a transfer was imminent.

April 2nd Morning Report: Platelet Count 30k

Since I was with my cousin, I didn't speak directly with Dr. Soma; my uncle attended the consultation.

Afterward, we consulted another doctor overseeing the ICU (let's call him Dr. Venkat), who contradicted Dr. Soma, stating they would keep my cousin for an additional day to monitor his platelet levels.

I insisted on obtaining the reports again, and Dr. Venkat, unlike Dr. Soma, agreed to provide them. I discovered a report from the evening of April 1st indicating a count of 20,000, despite being told it was 12,000.

April 1st Evening Report: Platelet Count 20k

This inconsistency was alarming, especially since a count below 20,000 was the reason for my cousin's ICU admission and the second transfusion.

After further discussion with Dr. Venkat, it became clear there had been a miscommunication between him and Dr. Soma, leading to my cousin's unnecessary stay in the ICU.

Day 5: Blood Test Delays and Discharge Challenges

On April 3rd, we were relieved when my cousin was finally moved out of the ICU, allowing us to communicate with him more freely. In the ICU, visits were limited, and we felt anxious waiting outside.

Around 10 a.m., Dr. Soma's assistant informed us that the platelet count had risen to 50,000.

April 3rd Morning Report: Platelet Count 50k

However, when I left the hospital briefly, Dr. Soma consulted my cousin alone and mentioned that he would be discharged once the count reached 100,000—this was a surprising shift from the previous target of 70,000.

I learned about this change upon returning in the afternoon, and it raised further doubts about the communication process within the hospital.

Later that day, we noticed that no blood samples were taken for testing, despite my cousin's apparent improvement.

After pressing the staff, they finally agreed to conduct a blood test, which usually takes a few hours for results.

Day 6: Reporting Delays, Coordination Issues, and Billing Errors

On April 4th, after multiple follow-ups regarding the blood test results, we received them at 8 a.m. The previous night's report showed a platelet count of 120,000, while the morning's count was 150,000.

April 3rd Evening Report: Platelet Count 120k

April 4th Morning Report: Platelet Count 150k

We decided to proceed with discharge since my cousin felt well and we were tired of the delays. However, the discharge process at Yashodha was lengthy and poorly coordinated.

After spending hours navigating the hospital's various departments, we reached the billing office, where we encountered numerous errors in our bills.

Despite prior visits to clarify billing details, we found discrepancies that significantly inflated costs compared to initial estimates. For instance, what was thought to be a 1,500 charge for a platelet transfusion turned out to be an exorbitant 13,330.

The billing department attributed this to updates not being processed in time, which left us feeling frustrated and financially strained.

Wrap Up: Awareness and Caution in Healthcare Choices

My cousin is now healthy and back home. This account isn't meant to single out Yashodha but to shed light on a larger issue—many hospitals in India prioritize profit over patient care.

Most private hospitals (not all) operate with a profit-driven mentality, often exploiting patients and their families during vulnerable times. While insurance can alleviate some burdens, the reality is that many corporate hospitals manipulate patients' fears to recommend unnecessary treatments.

Our family faced significant expenses that could have been minimized at a lower-tier facility. Although my cousin received adequate treatment, the financial strain was considerable.

Be vigilant when navigating healthcare systems, especially in high-cost hospitals. While they may offer superior care, it is crucial that they do not exploit the trust patients place in them. I invite others to share their experiences with private hospitals as well.