A Brief Look At Five Of The Best Hospitals Worldwide

Any time sickness strikes it's important for you to obtain prompt, competent and efficient care. Often your medical condition can be treated in your local neighborhood hospital or urgent care center, but at other times your condition may require a higher degree of expertise. Smaller hospitals may not have the equipment or medical staffing available to treat your condition, especially if complex diagnostic and advanced treatment regimes are needed.

It is no secret that healthcare costs are rising at alarming rates. Patients are now looking to treatment centers outside of the United States and have far more options from which to choose. Traveling abroad to obtain healthcare is being done more frequently. Known as medical tourism, according to an article by Health Tourism, experts believe that up to a half million Americans alone travel to other countries to seek treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions and procedures each year and the number is increasing. A November, 2008 article published in the Los Angeles Times, also agrees that medical tourism includes not only elective procedures but also treatments for more serious life-threatening diseases such as heart problems and cancer.

There are still of course, top-notch medical facilities here in the United States as well, so if you are looking to find a healthcare facility that provides high-quality medical care, here are five of the best medical centers for you to consider.

Johns Hopkins Hospital
Location: 600 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, USA
Main phone number: 410-955-5000

Johns Hopkins Hospital opened in 1889. During the unhurried 19^th century medical care was disorganized and in need of major changes. The hospital was built from monies contributed by Johns Hopkins, a reputable banker from Baltimore, Maryland. Hopkins desired to vastly improve not only medical care but also medical training and scientific research. To answer these needs, in addition to the building of the hospital, the Johns Hospital University School of Medicine was built and opened in 1893.

Johns Hopkins is a 1025-bed multi-specialty hospital, known for being the first to use rubber gloves during surgery and first to develop renal dialysis and CPR. The School of Medicine is also known for being the first to admit women into the program, quite a revolutionary step for that day and age. According to US News and World Report, Johns Hospital has earned the distinction of being the top hospital in America for the 18^th year in a row.
For more information, click here for the Johns Hopkins Hospital website.

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
The Mayo Clinic is a renowned multi-specialty medical complex that actually has three different campuses in the United States, including Rochester, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona as celebrated below:

Minnesota
200 First Street S.W.
Rochester, MN 55905
Phone: 507-284-2511

Arizona
13400 East Shea Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Phone: 480-301-8000

Florida
4500 San Pablo Road
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Phone: 904-953-2000

Mayo Clinic had its beginnings in 1846 when Dr. William W. Mayo, originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Rochester, Minnesota. His two sons, William and Charles Mayo, were both attending medical school at the time, but joined forces with him after they graduated. The development of the clinic really began in 1883 after a vicious tornado hit the city of Rochester. Dr. Mayo was approached by Mother Alfred Moes of the Sisters of St. Francis to join together to open and staff a hospital to help provide medical care for the community. The additional locations were added nearly 100 years later, with the Florida addition built in 1986 and the one in Arizona a year later in 1987.

According to the 2009 Mayo Clinic Facts, the clinics collectively command a large staff of over 55,000 employees. This includes physicians, students, ancillary staff and scientists. The clinics care for over a million patients each year. For addresses and further information, click here for the Mayo Clinic website.

Hong Kong Adventist hospital
Location: 40 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong
Phone: 852-3651-8888

The Hong Kong Adventist Hospital is a private but highly reputable accredited hospital located on Hong Kong Island. It is one of two Adventist hospitals in that area. The hospital services Hong Kong, China and Asia and is allotment of the worldwide Adventist healthcare system. Built in 1971 as a result of the vision and plans of Dr. Harry Miller, the hospital is funded by the generous contribution of Dr. Chan Sung and others.

The hospital adheres to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist health system with a multidisciplinary come to healthcare services. Their goal is "to promote a total healing environment and lifestyle...with values consistent with the philosophy, teachings and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." They focus on "total health" which includes lifestyle management, rehabilitation, prevention, interventional therapeutics, screening and diagnostic services. This healthcare reach incorporates every aspect of the patient's life, not just the treatment of an illness.

The 121-bed hospital services the local community, expatriates and others who travel to Hong Kong to abet from their healthcare. It is fully accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International).
For more information, click here for the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital website.

Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Location:33 Sukhumvit 3, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Phone: +662 667 1000

The Bumrungrad International Hospital is a relatively recent English-speaking hospital founded in 1980. It is a private but distinctive medical center serving the southeast set of Asia. Bumrungrad is located in Bangkok is reputed for providing the best quality service in that status. This hospital is a 554-bed hospital with more than 30 specialty centers. In 2002, Bumrungrad had the distinction of being internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International, and was the first Asian hospital to gain this accreditation.

Bumrungrad services over a million patients each year. Nearly half of these patients, about 400,000, include expatriates and others from as many as 190 other countries in the world. Health service areas include medical/surgical, ICU, Neonatal ICU and Pediatrics. Bumrungrad offers many perks to its patients including laptop rental, movies and Internet service.
For more information, click here for the Bumrungard International Hospital website or view their virtual tour video.

HSC Medical Center, Malaysia
Location:
Lot 3-6, Level 3, PNB Darby Park,
10 Jalan Binjai,
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Phone: +603 - 2712 0866 / +603 - 2712 0903

HSC Medical Center was established in 2003. With a focus on early detection and treatment of cancer, stroke and cardiac conditions, it has is a world-class medical facility with highly advanced state-of-the-art technology such as its 64-Slice Multi-Slice CT for the early detection of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

HSC Medical strives to be the world's best, providing internationally trained physicians. According toMedi-Travel, all diagnostics packages can be completed and results available within the same day. Procedures such as balloon angioplasty and stenting are done at HSC on an outpatient basis. Patients come from around the globe arrive to benefit from the high quality of healthcare they provide.
For more information, click here for the HSC Medical Center Malaysia website.

Sources:
Newsweek Advertising Showcase: "HSC Best of Malaysia"
HSC Medical Center: "A World-Class Healthcare Provider - HSC MEDICAL CENTER"
Los Angeles Times: "Ticket to treatment"
Health Tourism: "Medical tourism statistics and facts"
Johns Hopkins Medical: "News and information"
Mayo Clinic: "Patient and visitor guide"
Bumrungrad International: "Home page"
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital: "Home page-English"