missypie

An acquaintance has just suffered a brain aneurism while traveling in Milan. Her family is urgently trying to find the best place for local medical treatment and/or figure out whether she should be transferred to a different hospital. (Sorry, but I don't know the name of the hospital where she is.) Does anybody know anything about the hospitals in Milan?

Grinisa

Sorry about your friend. If you post your question on Slowtalk.com (the Italy message board) there are people there, including Alice Twain who lives in Milan, that may have more information on specific hospitals.

eliztrav

Absolutely you need input from native Italians or those right there on the scene with real knowledge. I can tell you that someone I know of was rushed to the Policlinico di Milano when he suffered a serious stroke.

StCirq

Here's a link to the US State Department's website with info on medical emergencies abroad:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...alth_1185.html

It includes a list of hospitals and doctors in every country. But it also recommends calling the US embassy, which is where I'd start. Good luck.

Intrepid1

I think St.. Cirq's advice is good but as a medical professional I would also offer this to YOU: do NOT get too involved in the apparent controversy as to whether or not the person "nneds to be transferred."

Whether or not they are receiving "the best medical care" is something you will never be able to figure out and I would strongly advise you NOT to offer any opinions one way or the other..stick to facts.

eliztrav

Good advive you just received.

In the event it IS the one, here's the site for the Policlinico....which doesn't answer your question, exactly, but you'll have to get qualitative info elsewhere.

http://www.policlinico.mi.it

Hope it all turns out ok.

KT

Here is a list of hospitals and English-speaking doctors from the US Consulate in Milan:

http://milan.usconsulate.gov/files/health.htm

The consulate expressly says that they don't specifically endorse any place on the list. Perhaps one of the doctors would be able to recommend a hospital. But I agree with the above advice--there's no way you can judge the best place from here (it's hard enough for a local to compare facilities).

StCirq

Just another thought - though the consulate may not recommend one hospital or doctor over another, it might well be able to give you useful information, such as whether there is English-speaking help available at one or the other, assuming that might be useful.

missypie

Thanks everyone.

rex

Looks like you're satisfied with the very good advice here - - perhaps best from intrepid1 - - Milan is such a major city that I think you can be assured that the best medical decisions will be made, and it should NOT be made based on the language of the patient.

I would not want a family member of mine transferred with an aneurysm diagnosed (typically, the first clue is that hemorrhage has occurred - - possibly that is what you mean) - - until the patient is walking, preferably without assistance.

Best wishes,

Rex

lincasanova

the local u.s. consulate will be able to provide you with tel. numbers of interpreters. in some cities there may even be an organization that volunteers for situations like this if the person can't afford one, similar to traveller's aid.

there may be an american women's club in milan and they are a wealth of information and helping hands in every city.

cmt

This is a longhsot, since it's late and most of the Italians should be asleep, but you can check this thread on another forum where I asked: http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....tag=ab-italian

cmt

Are you still seeking this information? (If so, topping he thread.)