International travel has a few inherent challenges. You may find yourself communicating in a language you barely speak, sampling new foods you're not sure about, and dealing with the inevitable fatigue and discomfort of jet lag. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all is what to do in case of a medical emergency. How do you get the help you need when you may not even be sure where the closest hospital is? And once you arrive at that hospital, how can you be sure that it meets the standard of medical care that you want and need?
Purchasing travel insurance is a great first step, since your provider can identify trusted doctors, hospitals, and provide evacuation services if necessary. Below is a list of some of the world's best hospitals to keep in mind before your next trip.
The AP-HP is the public hospital system of Paris and its suburbs, and also the largest hospital system in Europe. It employs more than 15,000 physicians who see over 5.8 million patients every year. The hospitals in the system provide emergency medical care for adults and children, maternity care, and specialist consultations - basically covering anything you may need during an international trip or extended stay in and around Paris. Since 2013, AP-HP has offered special services for international patients, including financial help, logistical support, and translation services.
Anadolu Medical Center opened in 2005 on the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkey and is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine. The 209-bed acute care facility envisions itself as the best healthcare provider for Turkey, southern Eurasia, and the Middle East. AMC's international services department handles over 3,000 medical visits from patients representing over 60 countries, so they are well equipped to meet the needs of international visitors. In addition, the medical campus includes the Anadolu Titanic Comfort Hotel, a guest house designed to accommodate recovering patients and their families.
Bumrungrad International Hospital - Bangkok, ThailandBumrungrad International Hospital is the largest private hospital in Southeast Asia. Many of the doctors and medical staff at the hospital have international experience, and also are board certified in countries such as Australia, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The hospital treats 1.1 million patients every year, from regular checkups to complex medical issues. Bumrungrad has a reputation for high quality care at reasonable prices.
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein is the world's first hospital to receive JCI accreditation, a certification program designed to improve patient safety and quality of health care in the international community. The hospital employs over 500 full-time physicians and prides itself on identifying solutions that are personalized for each patient. The Commercial Services Center at the hospital includes a multi-lingual staff that can help with treatment and pricing, travel plans, local accommodations, and other services during your visit and recovery.
The Royal London Hospital is a large teaching hospital in east London, part of the Barts Health NHS Trust. This hospital made our list of the best hospitals for its outstanding emergency room facilities (called Accident and Emergency in England). The Royal London treats over 1,400 injured patients each year and reports some of the highest survival rates in the United Kingdom, both for adults and children. Keep in mind that when traveling abroad, dialing 911 will not always provide you with the help you need. Instead, when in the European Union, dial 112 for an ambulance.
