American-Sino OB/GYN .... gifts after delivery for the staff

Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Health Care Issues

Author

Message

Shanghaiearl

Seeker

Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 50

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 12, 2004 - 10:08 AM
Post subject: American-Sino OB/GYN .... gifts after delivery for the staff

Greetings,

My dear wife is scheduled for delivery at the American-Sino OB/GYN hospital and I wonder if anyone can let me know if is appropriate / or not to provide 'gifts' to the doctor and staff.

I'm thinking of buying a basket of fruits, wine etceteras and for the nurses a 'hong bao' with RMB 500.

Opinions anyone?

Thanks & have a nice day,

Shanghaiearl

sam

Seeker

Joined: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 55
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 12, 2004 - 01:36 PM

In some state owned enterprises, they are very strict about forbidding tips or gifts. In the worst case the staff could be fired for taking gifts.

However, I had the impression that American-Sino OB/GYN is a joint venture (my wife is going there for pre-natal care), so I don't think their rules are so draconian.

The ironic thing is, despite the prohibition of gifts, giving gifts or 'hong bao' is almost required to get good service in most Chinese hospitals. The trick is, you need to find a suitable 'middleman', since the staff won't dare take 'hong bao' from a stranger. However, my feeling of American-Sino is that they are more professional in this regard and you don't have to give gifts to get good service , since you (or your insurance company) is already paying a lot to have their good service.

My advice is that if you feel like giving gifts, go ahead and do it, but if they refuse, don't insist - they're not just being polite, they may be forbidden from receiving them.

Since your wife is going to give birth there, I would appreciate it if you share your experience and impression of American-Sino. My wife is due in December and our current choice is to go with American-Sino.

Thanks.

Sam

Shanghaiearl

Seeker

Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 50

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 12, 2004 - 02:43 PM

Sam,

Thank you for your input.

I will provide you with our impressions/experience of Sino-American OB/GYN clinic when our child has been born.

So far we are very happy; also with Dr. Cathy Ling.

All the best to you and your wife for your child.

Regards,

Shanghaiearl

Shanghaiearl

Seeker

Joined: July 15, 2004
Posts: 50

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 23, 2004 - 03:29 PM

Greetings,

So my wife gave birth to our child.

All in all I can say that we both are very, very happy with the staff at Huashan American-Sino OB/GYN.

We were taken care of by Dr. Ling whom I strongly reco should you consider a casarean - she has so much experience and is very patient with all your questions and she also takes time/care after the surgery and checks up on the patient.

Most if not all nurses are well trained, helpful and patient.
There is however one head nurse with whom I got into a confrontation about prescriptions. But that got settled after all.

Food is yuk though and you might consider bringing food or ordering.

Nice thing is that the husband can stay with the wife in the hospital over-night - they have a sleeper sofa [and after a couple of nights] it is you who needs medical attention [backaches!].

You do not need to bring in towels, diaper, shower cream - they have all there and can provide.

What I surely can recommed is that the husband should stay with the wife during the entire stay at the hospital.

I found it to have accelerated my wifes recovery from the surgery - plus I could make sure she is alright.

After your child is born, you need to watch out for the pediatrician Ms. Yong [older Chinese doctor] who seems 'sponsored' by MeadJohnson and persistently tries to sell you Enfamil products [Milk Powder].
We are far from happy with this and the doctor and will do the vaccinations etc at the Pudong Child Hospital.

Bottom-line: we're happy with what we got.

Have a nice week.