Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.

The next highlighted destination in the Satori Global Network™ is Metro Manila, which is a metropolitan area home to many neighboring cities including Manila, the capitol of the Philippines.

Your ‘to do list’ while in Metro Manila:

• Visit the Malacanang Palace in Manila
• See the three-century-old Pasig Cathedral
• Browse the Pasig City Museum and Plaza Rizal
• Shop the super-malls in Manila
• Spend the afternoon at Luneta Park, home of the Rizal Monument

Transportation

Transportation in Metro Manila via the roadways can be difficult if you do not leave the driving to the locals. It is best to stick with taxis, buses, minivans or jeepneys – or even the railway systems if you are going longer distances. Transportation in Metro Manila is extremely cheap compared to US standards, and is generally easy to navigate if you know your destination. Driving a car is not recommended for those who do not know the area, as local drivers are very comfortable with the roadways and often follow the driving laws loosely, at best.

Tours

There are many touring packages available in Metro Manila, but some of the places to visit are so large, they are practically tours in themselves! One place that is a must see is the Manila Ocean Park. It is the largest oceanarium in Asia and one of the most advanced. The park is set in a large center which also hosts many restaurants, and a large shopping mall, as well as a hotel. Also, take a tour through Chinatown for a different perspective on Chinese culture, as Chinese presence in the Philippines pre-dates even the arrival of the Spaniards over five centuries ago. All throughout Metro Manila, you can find great cuisine at great prices as well as great shopping, which we will get into next…

Shopping

The Metro Manila shopping experience can please shoppers on both ends of the spectrum. Those looking for high end boutiques and luxury items will be pleased to know that the malls in Manila are an experience like no other. Even when compared to some of the largest malls in the United States, the size of these malls alone is incredible. They contain everything from department stores, to schools, spas, convention centers, apartments, museums, art galleries and more, not to mention the numerous shops and boutiques. It is recommended that you allocate at least half of your day for shopping in any of the major malls. On the other side of the spectrum, you have tiangges. This is more of a bazaar experience. Here, shoppers can bargain with local vendors and even buy wholesale items at dirt cheap prices. You can find almost any item you can think of here, and again, serious shoppers should allocate a lot of time for this shopping experience because there is just so much to browse.

Dining

If you have ever tried Filipino food then you know you are in for a real treat when you visit Manila. The Filipino lifestyle includes a lot of eating – and by this I mean up to five meals a day! When looking for a great dining experience in the greater Manila area, visitors need look no further (please do though!) than the Greenbelt in Makati. Here is where visitors can find the largest variety of foods, from unique and trendy, to traditional and time tested. Another great place to look, especially for a more classy dining experience, is The Fort Strip and Serendra. This is in Global City, Taguig, and offers the newest and most exciting options in entertainment and dining.

View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila
[2] http://www.manila.gov.ph/
[3] http://wikitravel.org/en/Metro_Manila

By, Keith Mendoza, Director of Sales of Satori World Medical

Approximately 1 million Californians cross the border every year to seek medical and dental care in Mexico, as reported in a study done by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. Many U.S. Hispanic employees living along the border have taken advantage of the increasingly popular option of accessing health services in Mexico, given that procedures can cost as low as one third of the price in the U.S. Cultural and linguistic preferences are also other strong motivators for Hispanic employees seeking medical care across the border.

Through The Satori Cross Border Network™, employees will gain access to high quality providers which include SIMNSA – Sistemas Medicos Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. SIMNSA physicians and clinics in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito and Tecate. Members can choose over 200 certified physicians across the U.S.-Mexico border. This gives U.S. Hispanic employees & their dependents, who prefer to receive their care in Mexico, access to quality medical care at a reduced cost. Moreover, all network claims are submitted to the plan sponsor in English using U.S. insurance industry standards.

Additionally, employees can choose Satori Global Network™ hospitals for non-emergency surgical procedures at our contracted JCI accredited hospitals, located in the Western Mexico and Costa Rica. Some of the surgical procedures available are Cardiac, Orthopedic, Bariatric and Spine.

Features & Benefits
• Over 200 primary care physicians and specialists along the California/Mexico Border
• Medical clinics are in close proximity to border
• Grupo Medyca, a state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center
• Provides practical and economical healthcare to both employers and their cross border workforce
• Online Lab Results through InterLab , one of the most modern and technically advanced laboratories in Mexico
• Digital Records give any participating physician the capability to view patient’s medical records online, 24 hours a day
• Information Safeguards meets specific HIPAA and other electronic medical record standards

Significant cost savings combined with the access to high quality, culturally sensitive facilities in Mexico makes a Cross Border program an attractive option to the California workforce.

For more information about The Satori World Medical’s Cross Border Network™, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/crossborder or email Keith Mendoza at k.mendoza@satoriworldmedical.com

Anadolu Medical Center is located outside of the beautiful city of Istanbul. It is one of the most comprehensive, modern, and respected hospitals in the region. This multispecialty medical complex is not-for-profit, and is unique in Turkey, and much of the world, by virtue of affiliation and agreement with world renowned Johns Hopkins Medicine. Anadolu Medical Center and Johns Hopkins have combined in partnership encompassing all aspects of Quality Health Care and Continuous Medical Education.

“The patient rooms are homey, and comfortable with a beautiful sea view. Patient bed capacity is 209. There is an intensive care unit consisting of 59 beds and 8 operating rooms. The parking lot holds over 300 vehicles. Lighting, spaciousness, sea view, a manmade pond, natural plant life environment, abundance of green trees are part of the well thought details for a positive effect on patient care and treatment duration.”

• www.anadolumedicalcenter.com
• www.twitter.com/anadolumedical

Anadolu Medical Center has been designed with a focus on aesthetics, with special attention given to lighting, space, and the surrounding natural and manmade environment. These attributes were set in place with the intention of having a positive effect on patient care and recovery time. The award winning hospital was designed by the U.S. company, Rees. The center is serene and relaxing, and is located on a 42 acre piece of land. It is outside the reach of Istanbul’s big-city commotion and offers patients a quiet and nurturing place to receive care.

Anadolu Medical Center is home to both US board certified and trained physicians, and the foremost academicians of Turkey. The Center employs over 200 skilled physicians and serves over 3,000 international patients every year from over 50 countries. AMC has an outstanding nurse to patient ratio and the quality of care received is world-class. The Center’s multi-lingual nurses and staff are constantly improving their skills through training by Johns Hopkins faculty and provide excellent care for patients.

At Anadolu Medical Center, only the latest and state-of-the-art technology and equipment is used to assure the best possible treatment for patients. AMC is the first in Turkey with Cyberknife Radiosurgery®, the latest technology in cancer. The Center hosts clinical programs on special cases such as cancer, back pain, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia and breast health, and is always breaking new ground with a revolutionary, multi-disciplinary approach. Medical subspecialties include: PET-CT (Nuclear Medicine), New Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Quality Assurance:

AMC is an institute that has ISO 9001 – 2000 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environment Management System), OHSAS 18001 (Work Health and Safety) and has JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation and quality certificates.

Certifications: European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO)

 Click to view the Anadolu Brochure PDF

By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

David G. Jaimovich, M.D. is the President and Founder of Quality Resources International, the former Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for International Accreditation Services for Joint Commission Resources (JCR) and Joint Commission International (JCI), and a member of the Medical Quality Advisory Board of Satori World Medical.  I recently interviewed Dr. Jaimovich about his role at JCI, his new company and international quality in general.

Satori:  How is your role at Quality Resources International different from your work at JCI?

Dr. Jaimovich:  At JCI I was in charge of International Accreditation: surveying against standards of quality and patient safety.  JCI Standards address key issues relevant to medical travel, including evidence of quality and professional competence, and accreditation provides objective validation and serves as a benchmark, assisting patients in medical travel decision-making.  I am now involved in consulting, developing quality and performance improvement programs and patient safety initiatives as they relate to accreditation and improving the safety of patients in the hospital setting.  It is a more creative role, going beyond meeting standards to continuous improvement in quality and safety.

Satori:  Tell us about Quality Resources International.

Dr. Jaimovich:  Our mission is to collaborate with the healthcare community around the world, to help public and private entities improve the quality and safety of health services through education, consultation, technical assistance, practical tools and guidance.  We provide advisory services to Ministries of Health, we prepare organizations for accreditation, and we provide quality management information systems to evaluate the success of interventional changes, to show continuous improvement.  That is a big issue: sustainability of improvements.  We are also developing a fundamental framework for healthcare quality: this is a distillation of the fundamental elements of the standards from JCI and other national accrediting organizations, such as Trent, Accreditation Canada and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Satori:  You have travelled widely, been involved with the evaluation of many hospitals and other healthcare organizations worldwide.  What is your view of the level of patient care – quality and safety – at the best international healthcare facilities, such as Satori World Medical’s International Centers of Excellence – and would you be comfortable receiving care at these facilities yourself? 

Dr. Jaimovich:  Quality and safety are now front and center for many hospitals and healthcare systems around the world.  There is a tremendous drive, a “tsunami” of quality and safety.  US hospitals have been doing this for a long time, there has been a plateau for some.  International facilities are on a steep curve, a big push coming from the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health – and Tourism -, payers, and multinational companies.  For myself, I would have no reservations about having surgery or other care at international facilities that meet high quality and safety standards, have transparent validated results and who have been accredited by an international accrediting organization.

Satori:  Thank you Dr. Jaimovich.  More information about Dr. Jaimovich and Quality Resources International is available at www.qrintl.com  More about Satori World Medical is available at www.satoriworldmedical.com.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Customer Service

Due to the high costs of plastic surgery in the U.S., many Americans are now packing their bags and heading to exotic destinations to have surgery at a fraction of the cost of what they would pay here in the states.

Countries all over the world such as Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, and Brazil are world-renowned for their medical care. Plastic surgery is no exception. What’s the difference between cosmetic surgery in the U.S. and say in Thailand? One word, cost. The U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, including plastic surgery. Average savings on care can be as much a 50% when compared with the U.S., while the quality of the care delivered rivals that of top U.S. hospital institutions.

The trend of medical tourism, Americans traveling outside the U.S. for medical care is becoming more common. Let’s look at the top plastic surgery procedures for these medical tourists:

• Breast augmentation: Involves using implants for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume due to a mastectomy following breast cancer or other illness.

• Tummy Tuck: A tummy tuck, also commonly referred to as abdominoplasty, is whereby excess fat and skin from the abdominal area is surgically removed. Tummy tucks are a type of procedure typically for medical tourists seeking weight loss and a tighter, slimmer waistline.

• Facelift: Facelifts are another common procedure for those looking to reduce wrinkles and the aging of the face and neck. Facelifts are popular among both men and women.

• Eyebrow Lift: An eyebrow lift is a surgical procedure designed to make an individual’s brow line and forehead regions more youthful. Both men and women (45-70 years of age) are common candidates for an eyebrow lift.

• Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is a procedure sought after by women and men of all ages who want to improve the shape and look of their nose. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping an individual’s nose surgically to achieve a more attractive look. Rhinoplasty is commonly performed in many hospitals and cosmetic surgery specialty centers around the world.

If you are interested in saving as much as 50% on your next cosmetic procedure, consider becoming a medical tourist. You can get the same high quality care you desire without breaking the bank.

For more information about Satori World Medical’s Plastic Surgery Global Network, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/plastics/

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.

The fifth of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is New Delhi, the capitol city of India.

Your ‘to do list’ while in New Delhi:

• Visit the Akshardham Temple on the outer edge of the city
• Take a spin at Connaught Place
• Go watch the Dances of India – a nightly performance of regional dance
• Make your rounds shopping at Ansal Plaza
• Explore the back alleys of Chandni Chowk for great value on jewelry and more

Transportation

New Delhi is a planned city, and thus, has a vast web of efficient public transportation. Private vehicles make up less than a third of the total transportation demand within the city! There are over 15 subways, over 2,700 bus stops, and a metro railway that can get commuters from place to place quickly. Delhi’s bus system is the largest fleet of environmentally friendly buses in the world. Taxis are also readily available, however aren’t as widely used because the public transport is so easy to get along with. Rental car services are also widely available.

Shopping

Shop for great deals on designer brands where the locals shop – Ansal Plaza. Here you will find great high-end items that are unique, and there is a wide variety of items and styles that will not break the bank. If you are in search of handmade items, but do not feel like haggling with the locals, pay a visit to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. This is a huge store, with six floors of goods ranging from paintings and clothing, to textiles and furniture.

Culture

Many places in Delhi (greater metropolitan area) radiate hundreds of years of Indian culture. Visitors should stop by the Jama Masjid mosque, which was built over 350 years ago, and took 14 years to complete. This giant mosque is the largest in India and its courtyard has a maximum occupancy of 25,000 people! Another sight to see is the Qutb Minar. This tall tower marks the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi, and the new Islamic ruling in India over 800 years ago. The construction of this tower spanned nearly 200 years, and it’s five stories rise to over 200 feet!

Dining

Like any other popular destination, India is home to the usual suspects of world cuisine. Italian, Asian, and even American food can be found in New Delhi… However, the Indian food in Delhi is hard to beat. Who would have thought? There are a lot of chicken dishes to be found here, from kebabs to butter chicken. Tandoori dishes are a favorite, as well as curry. Vegetarians will love India, as vegetables are an integral part of all indian food.

View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi
[2] http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/delhi

By Steven Lash

As reported in the recent Financial Times article, “Travel Sickness,” the rising costs of healthcare in developed countries is having a positive effect on countries like Mexico, Thailand and India where medical care is available at a fraction of the cost. According to a recent report by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, medical tourism is likely to expand at 35 percent a year by 2012. This means an economic boost and advanced infrastructure for developing countries.

The number of internationally accredited medical facilities is growing rapidly. There are now more than 200 international hospitals which have received accreditation by Joint Commission International, the international arm of the U.S. accreditation body for domestic hospitals in the U.S. Foreign governments are investing in world-class facilities to complement the influx of Western medical tourists and tourism bureaus are reaping the benefits of Westerners combining medical procedures with exotic vacations. Ideally, this will have a trickle down to improved health systems for those countries’ citizens, as stated in the Financial Times article.

International accreditation benefits everyone. It raises healthcare standards and increases competition, which raises the bar even in the public sector. In South Korea, for example, the government has launched a public-private initiative designed to do just this. The Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion was established in 2007 to develop world-class healthcare infrastructure and to promote Korean healthcare to international patients.

Domestically, U.S. health insurers are buying into the growing trend of medical tourism, as well. Blue Cross of South Carolina, for example, has brought hospitals in Europe, Asia and Latin America into its network of coverage. State governments have also taken notice of the financial opportunities medical tourism provides. Although the bills have not yet passed, both West Virginia and Colorado have proposed legislation that would provide incentives to insurers that include medical tourism in their plans.

To make medical tourism a seamless, high-quality and convenient healthcare option for more and more U.S. patients, employers and payors, companies like Satori World Medical have entered the marketplace to offer a “one-stop-shop” for medical travel. Through such programs, all services and procedures for the patient are arranged by a reputable medical travel partner to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care and travel are properly handled, from helping the individual select his or her surgeon and hospital abroad and transferring his or her medical records to the destination hospital, to handling all travel details, such as flights, hotel, ground transportation, etc.

Companies, such as Satori World Medical, also offer fully integrated medical travel plans that employers can add to their existing employee benefit offerings at no cost, whatsoever, because the savings are achieved through utilization. Additionally, with the Satori World Medical program, for instance, the participating patient directly receives a portion of the savings as well – anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 per procedure is deposited into an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). This offers everyone a compelling reason to participate in medical travel – the employer, payor and the individual receiving care.

As reinforced by this Financial Times article, as medical costs in mature markets continue to soar, medical tourism will continue to rapidly evolve in developed and developing nations, alike.

In this blog post, we will be highlighting one of our hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey – Acıbadem Healthcare Group. “Turkey’s leading healthcare institution Acıbadem Healthcare Group, provides extensive healthcare services with state-of-art medical technology since 1991. Acıbadem, operates with over 8,000 employees of which 1,580 are physicians, in 9 General Hospitals, 8 Medical Centers, 1 Laboratory and Genetic Diagnostic Center.”

- http://www.acibademinternational.com/

A quick highlight of this hospital’s achievements:

• First and only Healthcare Group in the private healthcare sector to acquire ‘Gamma Knife‘ known as Golden Standard for brain tumour surgeries
• First Healthcare Group to enter into a cooperation with Massachusetts General Hospital who is developing special software programs for advanced MR technology
• PACS Systems are available all through the facilities
• First digital radiology and paperless hospital in Turkey
• First Healthcare Group recently approved by the Ministry of Education to open its own academic health sciences university
• First and only Healthcare Group to own health and life private insurance company called “Acıbadem Insurance”
• First and only Healthcare Group to receive “the most well – known brand” award in 2004, 2005 and 2006 in private healthcare according to AC Nielsen Research Report.
• First and only Healthcare Group to be within the top 50 largest companies in the last 3 years
• First and only Healthcare Group that owns ‘Project Management Company’ offering services such as planning, 
implementation, supervision and consultancy
• First Health Group to establish its healthcare chain of hospitals, outpatient clinics and medical centers within Turkey
• Acıbadem Healthcare Group has the highest number of teaching physicians according to a research done by “Turkish Time”
• Acıbadem Healthcare Group including International Hospital facilities serves 23% of all the private medical services in the country.

 Click to view the Acibadem Brochure PDF

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.

The fourth of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is Singapore, an island located at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula.

Your ‘to do list’ while in Singapore:

• Visit the Orchard Road shopping disctrict
• If you are traveling in the summertime, go to the Singapore Food Festival
• Catch a concert or a show at Esplanade
• Go on a Night Safari at the world’s premier night zoo
• Relax at East Coast Park

Transportation

Singapore has a wonderful public transport system that has special pricing for those visiting the island. Tourists can purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass which provides unlimited travel. For a current ticket price of $8 per day, visitors can travel via Singapore’s buses and an extensive railway systems. Due to Singapore’s tropical climate, buses are air conditioned, and provide a comfortable ride. The railway systems are very fast, and provide 5 lines with over 80 stations.

Tours

Singapore has many attractions for tourists, and it’s easy to just explore the island yourself and find a day’s worth of adventures. However, for those who like to relax and watch the scenery, there are many great options available! For those wanting to spend time with a companion on their medical travel experience, there are numerous harbor and river cruises around the islands of Kusu, St. John’s, Sisters and Lazarus. Lunch, dinner, and tea is available on these tours of the waterways, and they are a great opportunity to relax and see new sights. For those feeling more adventurous and looking to catch a glimpse of the culture, trishaw tours are also available through Little India and Chinatown. Take a ride on three wheels and see some of Singapore’s hidden delights from a different prespective!

Shopping

Singapore is a mecca for shopping – and the avid buyer can find great deals on some of the world’s finest designer brands with just a bit of searching. Orchard Road is the main focus of the Singapore shopping experience. Here, shoppers can find anything from electronics to designer clothing, even rare antiques and imports, as well as very upmarket and custom tailored designer wear. Shopping in Singapore goes further than the main shopping districts though, deals can be found all around the city. Bargains can be found on useful every day items in the financial district, and all around the city and suburban areas there are lesser known shopping centers that offer some amazing items at even more amazing prices.

Culture

Singapore’s rich cultural heritage can be seen in many areas including Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Chinatown has recently been renovated, however some historic buildings and sites have been conserved. Chinatown is home to many shop houses, temples, mosques, and great places to eat, and gets quite festive around the Chinese New Year. Little India is a great place to shop for Indian goods and eat delicious Indian food. Traditional Indian goods such as spices, jewelry, silverware, and fabrics can all be found at great prices, and restaurants featuring fine North and South Indian Cuisine. The Kampong Glam is set in what used to be a fishing village and is just a few minutes southeast of Little India. Here, you can find the Istana Kampong Glam, which is ‘the Sultan’s Palace’, and also the Sultan Mosque. There are also a variety of merchants selling fine fabrics, Muslim merchandise, and foods.

Dining

Singapore’s unique blend of cuisine stems from the surrounding areas that have traded goods through this area since the early days of Eastern and Western trading. With heavy influences from both Chinese and Indian heritage, there are many different varieties and hybrids of some already classic food preparations. Singapore holds a high importance to eating, and eating well – you can find multiple course, fine meals 24 hours out of the day. In fact, the popular greeting in Singapore translates as “Have you eaten?”! Not only does the food have incredibly unique taste, and is available at all hours – but Singapore has extremely high standards for hygiene and preparation of food. You really can’t go wrong when dining in Singapore!

View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore
[2] http://www.newasia-singapore.com/

Brad H., a 63-year-old man from Palm Springs, California traveled to Bangkok, Thailand in September to undergo a facelift. Below is a recap of Brad’s medical travel experience:

I had heard about medical tourism through friends and the media, and I knew that people were traveling to exotic destinations to have medical procedures. When I heard about Satori World Medical in San Diego, I really felt like this was the best company for me.

I contacted Satori and spoke with Kevin Poling, the company’s Director of Customer Service. Kevin was very knowledgeable and helpful. Initially, I had some reservations about the care I would receive but after I spoke with Kevin, I felt assured I would have a positive experience.

I decided to go to Samitivej Hospital in Thailand for my facelift. I can’t say enough about Satori’s staff, their customer service was outstanding. They handled every aspect of my trip and medical procedure, making all my travel arrangements and transferring my medical records. The service and support I received really helped me understand and feel comfortable about the process and what to expect from the experience.

I traveled to Thailand in September. I was really impressed with the quality of the hospital. I had never before seen a hospital room with so many amenities. My room even had a flat screen TV. The service at the hospital was exceptional. The medical and nursing staff were very attentive and my surgeon was great. He took the time to explain my procedure and the recovery process. I had my facelift and saved over $7,000 on my procedure! Overall I had a great experience and I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again.