Wednesday, November 29, 2006

What is hip resurfacing?

Hip Resurfacing or Surface Replacement Arthroplasty is a bone-conserving alternative to conventional Total Hip Replacement (THR). Unlike THR, hip Resurfacing does not involve the removal of the femoral head and neck nor removal of bone from the femur. Rather, the head, neck and femur bone is preserved in an effort to facilitate future surgery should it be necessary and to enable the patient to take advantage of newer technology or treatments in the future. The current generation of hip Resurfacing devices utilize a metal bearings have demonstrated a much higher level of wear resistance as well as reduced bone loss and inflammatory tissue reaction about the hip joint as compared to metal-polyethylene bearings.

Hip Resurfacing is anatomically and biomechanically more similar to the natural hip joint resulting in increased stability, flexibility and range of motion. Further, dislocation risk is virtually eliminated. Higher activity levels are typically achieved with less risk. These benefits are realized because the head diameter that results from Resurfacing is very similar to the patient's normal head diameter and these larger head sizes are typically much larger than the femoral balls utilized in conventional THR. (source: Wockhardt/Healthbase).

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals around the world, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more, visit http://www.healthbase.com and login to view our extensive hospital profiles including pictures of operating rooms, patient rooms, doctor qualifications, and much more. Up to 80% savings. Get FREE quote. Access is free.

Monday, November 27, 2006

What is medcial tourism?

Medical tourism is the act of traveling to other coutries to obtain medical, dental or cosmetic care. A combination of many factors has lead to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism: high costs of healthcare in industrialized nations, waiting list, ease and affordability of international travel, improving technology and standards of care in many countries of the world.

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading healthcare facilities overseas. Healthbase's high-tech, information rich web-based system helps you research and arrange your medical care including necessary travel and accommodation, all at one place. We arrange first class services for patients at major internationally accredited hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and India. The cost of surgical care at our ever growing network of affiliated institutions is typically a fraction of the cost of care in the U.S. with equal or superior outcomes.

To learn more, visit: http://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Silicone Implants

"Federal regulators lifted their 14-year ban on breast implants made from silicone gel yesterday, dismissing concerns about harmful effects from leaks as unsupported by extensive testing."

"The officials said their review of study results made it clear that women age 22 and older can safely get the implants for cosmetic purposes. Women of all ages can have the implants for medical reasons, including reconstruction of breasts removed for cancer."

"From a scientific standpoint, the decision we are making tonight is in the best interest of American women," Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of the FDA office that regulates medical devices, said during a late-day conference call.

"Doctors emphasized that silicone gel implants can rupture or cause scarring but praised the FDA for giving women the opportunity to make an informed decision after weighing the risks."

"Patients will be happy because it means they have a choice," said Dr. Gedge Rosson, an assistant professor of plastic surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He said patients have a "clear preference" for silicone gel.

"Women should have magnetic resonance imaging three years after surgery and then every two years to look for "silent" ruptures -- leaks they could not feel themselves, officials said. They estimated the life span of an implant to be 10 years. Women should know breast implants are not lifetime devices," said Schultz.
(source: Redorbit, Nov 18, 2006)

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more about low cost Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Lift and 100+ other medical procedures offered by hospitals worldwide, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Hip Replacement | Hip Resurfacing

A replacement hip that conserves more of a patient’s bone than do traditional artificial hips has received federal approval and should be available this summer, the manufacturer said Wednesday.

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System uses a cap to replace only the head or ball atop the thigh bone, while adding a cup to replace the damaged surface of the hip socket, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The cap moves within the cup, their highly polished metal surfaces rubbing against one another, to mimic the natural movement of the hip.

Traditional hip replacements remove more of a patient’s bone. This new system allows younger and more active arthritis patients to have hip replacement surgery to relieve hip pain and improve hip function, while still leaving the option open for more traditional replacement surgery later in life, according to the FDA and Smith & Nephew Orthopedic Reconstruction, a Memphis, Tenn.-based division of the British manufacturer of the device.

The Birmingham Hip has been implanted in 60,000 patients in 26 countries, according to the company.
(source: MSNBC News, May 10, 2006)

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more about hip resurfacing and 100+ medical procedures offered by hospitals worldwide, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Hip Resurfacing

Stephanie Sedlmayr didn’t want to spend the tens of thousands of dollars it would take to get the hip surgery she needed. And she didn’t have insurance, either. So with her daughter by her side, she flew from Vero Beach, Fla., to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai. She’d never been to India before, but she already knew quite a bit about Indian doctors

"My doctor, actually, in Vero Beach, she's an Indian doctor. So, why not go where they come from?" asks Sedlmayr, who says her friends questioned her decision. "Hardly anybody said, 'Oh, great idea.'"

But she didn’t just come here to save money; she came for an operation she couldn’t get at home. It’s called hip resurfacing, and it has changed people’s lives.

It hasn’t been approved yet by the FDA, but in India, Dr. Vijay Bose has performed over 300 of them. He showed 60 Minutes the difference between a hip resurfacing and hip replacement, which is the standard operation performed in the United States. He says his patients usually recover faster because his procedure is far less radical and doesn’t involve cutting the thighbone.

Instead, Bose fits a metal cap over the end, which fits into a metal socket in the hip. The result, he says, is that patients end up with enough mobility to do virtually anything.

"So my patients, you know, play football, basketball, whatever you want. Not a problem," says Bose.

Until the FDA approves it, the only way to have this operation in the United States is by getting into a clinical trial. But be warned: It isn’t cheap.

How much does it cost in the States?

"I believe it costs something from $28,000 to $32,000 U.S. dollars," says Bose.

And in India, Sedlmayr says it costs $5,800: "Private nurse after surgery. And, feeling always that they were just totally attentive. If you rang the bell next to your bed, whoop, somebody was there immediately."

Sound too good to be true? Don't forget: It’s at least a 20-hour trip, there is malaria in parts of India, patients have complained of intestinal disorders -- and if something goes wrong, you could end up suing for malpractice in an Indian court.

And one could only wish you the best of luck. But Sedlmayr feels she’s already had more luck than she had any right to expect. By the time 60 Minutes left India, she was into the tourism part of her treatment, convalescing at a seaside resort an hour’s drive from the hospital.

"Is this standard, that when somebody gets surgery at the hospital to come to a resort like this afterwards?" asks Simon.

"Yeah, they suggest it. They recommend it," says Sedlmayr. "[It cost] $140 day for myself and my daughter, including an enormous fabulous breakfast that they serve until 10:30."

"I think a lot of people seeing you sitting here and what's usually called post op, and hearing your tales of what the operation was like, are going to start thinking about India," says Simon.

"Yeah, and combining surgery and paradise," says Sedlmayr.
(source: CBS News, Sep 4, 2005)

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide (including Apollo Hospitals), through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more, visit: our Healthbase website. Access is free.

Free Recycle

As part of our efforts to make medical care more accessible, we have developed an open medical items recycle, called Free Recycle. New medical equipment can be prohibitively expensive for many patients and our Free Recycle provides an opportunity for the members to get any used medical items they are in need.

Healthbase's Free Recycle program allows individuals to donate any extra or unneeded medical equipment, accessories and related items such as books, videos to other members. Alternatively, our members can receive medical equipment for free through this program. The cost of shipping is paid by the recipient but the cost savings easily outweigh delivery expenses in most cases. Examples of medical items you might find on our portal include wheelchairs, monitoring kits, retractable beds, medical books, magazines, videos and exercise machines. There is no requirement that members must donate supplies in order to receive equipment.

Receiving the items for commercial purposes or any illegal activities are strictly prohibited. Use of Free Recycle is subject to our terms and conditions.

When items are posted at Free Recycle it may get picked up by the needed member quickly. We advise members in need of medical supplies to check the portal frequently to make sure they don't miss out.

Login to access our Free Recycle.

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Hospitals | Health Care Providers

Our primary concern at Healthbase has always been quality of care. We have sent experts onsite to carefully screen hospitals based on the quality of care, procedural availability, pricing, and overall patient experience. We only work with hospitals that maintain best practice standards of care, such as ISO, JCI/JCAHO accreditation.

Joint Commission International (JCI) is a United States based hospital accreditation organization that makes sure accredited hospitals have state-of-the-art health care facilities and technology along with advanced transportation and communication systems. JCI accredited hospitals' health care standards, professionalism and quality of their doctors are equivalent if not superior to those you find in the United States of America. Joint Commission International (JCI) extends the Joint Commission's (JCAHO) mission worldwide. Through international consultation, accreditation, publications and education, Joint Commission International helps to improve the quality of patient care in many nations. Joint Commission International has extensive international experience working with public and private health care organizations and local governments in more than 60 countries. (soruce: Joint Commission Organization)

Healthbase offers a wide selection of world-class hospital partners and we continue to expand our network. We currently have partnerships with over 15 hospitals in ten cities and three different countries:

* Singapore
* India
* Thailand

We are expanding to:

* Costa Rica
* Argentina
* Brazil
* Mexico
* Malaysia
* Panama

All of our partner hospitals maintain the highest levels of quality care. Healthbase continually monitors and reevaluates our partner hospital network through patient feedback, research and onsite visits. Healthbase works to ensure that the experience itself, from the quality of nurses and standards of hygiene to the post-treatment recovery services, is exceptional. Our partner hospitals offer immaculate facilities. Patients can expect deluxe rooms, delicious food, internet access, no wait-lists and excellent registered nurse coverage. Our continued success depends entirely upon our reputation for premier medical services and so our interests are aligned with our customers: our common goal is to find the best possible hospitals.

Visit our Partners page for more information on our hospital partners. Access is free.

Login to get a detailed view on:

* Hospital profiles
* Hospital pictures - including operating rooms, patient rooms
* Hospital credentials
* Hospital videos
* Doctor profiles
* Doctor qualification
* Doctor pictures
* Medical procedures
* Cost comparison
* Free quote
* Testimonials
* Step-by-Step guide
* and much more...

To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Medical Procedures

Healthbase provides a wide range of medical procedures through its partner hospital network. Patients can search for procedures directly in our web portal or they can view what procedures are available for a particular hospital.

Healthbase offers more than just procedural availability, we also provide customers with extensive information on medical treatments, hospital and doctors profiles to help them make an educated decision regarding their treatment.
Partial list of procedures available:

Orthopedic
Knee Surgery
Knee Arthroplasty
Rotator Cuff Surgery
Total knee replacement, Bilateral knee (TKR)
Total knee replacement, Single knee (TKR)
Arthroscopy with Ligament Reconstruction
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair
Medial Cruciate Ligament (MCL) Repair
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Repair
Elbow Replacement
Fusion
Hand Reconstruction
Hip Replacement (partial)
Hip Replacement (full)
Hip Resurfacing (Birmingham)
More...
Spinal
Artificial Disc Implantation
Bone Spur Treatments
Cervical Discectomy
Cervical Discectomy with Fusion
Disc Degeneration Treatments
Disc Surgery
Discectomy
Endoscopic Discectomy
Fusion
Herniated Disc Treatments
Laminectomy + Posterior Instrumentation
Laminectomy for excision of Spinal Tumors
Decompressive Laminectomy
Open Discectomy
Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (PELD)
Radiosurgical Treatment of Spinal Tumors
Stenosis Treatments
Thoracoplasty
More...
Cardiac
Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA or PCI)
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
Coronary Angiography
Artial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
ASD Device
Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)
Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB)
Enhanced External CounterPulsation (EECP) (noninvasive)
Implantable Cardioverter and Defibrillator (ICD)
Pacemaker Implantation (Single Chamber)
Pacemaker Implantation (Dual Chamber)
Peripheral Vascular Treatment
PDA Device
Robotic Cardiac Surgery (daVinci Telemanipulation)
Stenting
Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (T-CAB)
Trans Myocardial Laser Revascularisation (TMLR)
Valvuloplasty
More...
Cosmetic
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty - Augmentation)
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Brow Lift
Buttocks Lift
Chin Surgery (Mentoplasty)
Chin Implants
Cheek Implants
Circumferential Body Lift
Ear surgery (Otoplasty)
Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)
Facial implants
Forehead / Brow Lift
Gynecomastia
Hair Transplant
Jaw Reconstruction
Jaw Shaving
Lip Enhancement
Liposuction
Mole Excision
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
Ptosis Correction
Skin Grafts
Spider Veins (Sclerotherapy)
Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
More...
More Categories
Obesity
Gastroenterology
Opthalmology
Dental
ENT
Oncology
Urology
Vascular
General Surgery
Wellness
More...

Login to view the complete list of procedures available and detailed hospital profiles, photos, videos, doctor qualifications, travel tips, free quotes and more.

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Offshore Medical Surgery Cost

The cost of surgery in India, Thailand or South Africa can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., for example, goes for $10,000 in India--and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the U.S. costs $500 in India, a knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the States, and Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the U.S. is available in many other countries for only $730. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa. (Tourism Growing Worldwide, UDaily News, July, 2005)

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. Healthbase arrangea first class services for patients at major internationally accredited hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and India. To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Low Cost Medical Treatment

The cost of surgery in India, Thailand or South Africa can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., for example, goes for $10,000 in India--and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the U.S. costs $500 in India, a knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the States, and Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the U.S. is available in many other countries for only $730. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa. (Tourism Growing Worldwide, UDaily News, July, 2005)

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Affordable Healthcare Overseas

The Institute of Medicine (2004) estimates that about 18,000 Americans die each year from treatable conditions because they cannot afford healthcare.

As per "Watch: Illness & Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy, February 2005", about half cited medical causes, which indicates that 1.9–2.2 million Americans (filers plus dependents) experienced medical bankruptcy. Among those whose illnesses led to bankruptcy, out-of-pocket costs averaged $11,854 since the start of illness; 75.7 percent had insurance at the onset of illness. Medical debtors were 42 percent more likely than other debtors to experience lapses in coverage. Even middle-class insured families often fall prey to financial catastrophe when sick.

To learn more about affordable healthcare overseas and to get your personalized quote, visit: Healthbase website. Access is free.

Medical Travel

As mentioned in Tourism Growing Worldwide, UDaily News, July, 2005, Ten years ago, medical tourism was hardly large enough to be noticed. Today, more than 250,000 patients per year visit Singapore alone--nearly half of them from the Middle East. This year, approximately half a million foreign patients will travel to India for medical care, whereas in 2002, the number was only 150,000.

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading hospitals world-wide, through a secure, high-tech, information-rich web portal. To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

Why Healthbase?

Healthbase is a provider-of-choice for medical tourists world-wide. We have developed the industry's most sophisticated and comprehensive web portal
where consumers can arrange medical care from start to finish. In addition to our one-stop service offerings, we strive to provide world-class care along several dimensions:


  • Quality:
    Our primary concern at Healthbase has always been quality of care. We have sent experts onsite to carefully screen hospitals based on the quality of care, procedural availability, pricing, and overall patient experience.

    We only work with hospitals that maintain best practice standards of care, such as JCI/JCAHO accreditation, so you can be sure that you will receive world-class treatment. Healthbase continually monitors and re-evaluates our partner hospital network through patient feedback, research, and onsite visits.

    Healthbase works to ensure that the experience itself, from the quality of nurses and standards of hygiene to post-treatment recovery services, is exceptional. Our partner hospitals offer immaculate facilities. Patients can expect deluxe rooms, delicious food, internet access, no wait-lists and excellent registered nurse coverage. Our continued success depends entirely upon our reputation for world-class surgical services.

  • Cost:
    Healthbase offers outstanding surgical services at 60-80% less than prevailing U.S. rates. Even with travel expenses taken into account, our comprehensive packages still
    provide a savings measured in the thousands of dollars for major procedures.

  • Travel opportunities:
    While the primary motivation for most customers is affordable surgery, the opportunity to visit exotic destinations like Thailand is an additional draw for some of our customers. Many customers spend a few days sightseeing before or after their procedure.

  • Immediate service:
    When your health is at stake, wait-lists are not an option. Our hospital partners will work with your schedule and timeframe to ensure quick access to care. Through Healthbase's sophisticated online quote system, your medical records will be made accessible to the hospitals of your choice instantly and hence will be able to get your medical quote within two business days in most cases.

  • Convenience:
    With our industry's most sophisticated and comprehensive web portal, consumers can arrange medical care from start to finish. Our one-stop service offerings are just one of the ways we strive to provide world-class care.

To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: Healthbase website. Access is free.

Who should be interested?

As long as you are healthy enough to travel, you stand to benefit from medical tourism's offerings. While anyone is a prospective patient, most of our customers fall into one of the three categories:


  1. Elective surgery: A large number of medical tourists seek out elective procedures such as cosmetic or wellness treatments that are not covered by insurance plans.

  2. Underinsured: As insurers cut back on their coverage and insurance costs skyrocket, more and more individuals find themselves 'underinsured'. High deductibles, wait-lists and limited physician choices force many patients to seek out alternative treatments. Others find that the care they need is not covered under their catastrophic insurance plans.

  3. Uninsured: 16% of the US population is uninsured. These individuals, many of which are self-employed, frequently find themselves dipping into their hard-earned savings to finance their medical care. Medical tourism is an increasingly popular solution among our uninsured population.


To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.

What is Medical Travel?

Medical Travel is the act of traveling abroad to receive medical, dental and cosmetic care. Medical Travel is also called as Medical Tourism, Health Tourism, Health Travel and Medical Value Travel. Significantly lower costs for best practice care is usually the primary motivation although some medical tourists go abroad for immediate availability of procedures and unavailable treatments. Patients frequently take advantage of the opportunity to vacation and tour inexpensively in the country they are visiting.

Healthbase can facilitate a variety of medical services from basic consultations to full service treatment abroad. We help you to take care of all the details from arranging the surgery and financing options to travel and visas.

To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: our Healthbase website. Access is free.

Welcome to Healthbase

Healthbase is the trusted source for global medical choices, connecting patients to leading healthcare facilities overseas. Healthbase's high-tech, information rich web-based system helps you research and arrange your medical care including necessary travel and accommodation, all at one place. The cost of surgical care at our ever growing network of affiliated institutions is typically a fraction of the cost of care in the U.S. with equal or superior outcomes.

To learn more and to get your personalized quote, visit: https://www.healthbase.com. Access is free.