Gov Juan F Luis Hospital

People are always asking about medical care on St Croix so I thought I would post our recent experience with medical care and the local hospital.

Last week my wife fell and broke her ankle.

She was alone on the isaland at the time so she called the hospital and an ambulance was sent to bring her to the hospital. Ambulance arrived promptly.

She was taken to the emergency room where x-rays showed that wife had multiple fractures and surgery would be required to install plates and screws.

Hospital was full the first night so my wife had to spend her first night in the hallway with her only privacy being curtains. Didn't make to much difference to her as she was on a morphine drip. We considered medical evacuation to San Juan, but after discussions with her doctor my wife felt her surgeon was capable of doing the procedure.

Surgery was the next day. Done by a board certified surgeon. Doctor was excellent no reservations.

Anesthesiologist was also first rate and made a point of calling wife at home after surgery to see how she was feeling. Even gave her his home telephone number if she should have any questions or concerns.

In total wife spent three nights in the hospital.

Observations - Gov Juan F Luis Hospital:

No paperwork hassles with insurance. We are covered by a PPO plan issued by my stateside employer.

The hospital seemed to be short on nurses. Could be because of the long Ester weekend holiday or because hospital was full to capacity.

Getting a pillowcase was a chore. Seemed to be a shortage of pillowcases.

Food no better or worse than most hospitals.

Overall hospital and medical care were fine. Caring and concerned staff.

Jim