New high-tech Dibuk Hospital now open

PHUKET: Hot on the heels of the announcement that Bangkok Hospitals has bought out the Phuket International Hospital, comes news that the group has opened some of the facilities at its new hospital on the island offering care for “basic cases” at medium-range prices.

The facility, the Dibuk Hospital, is still under construction on 10 rai of land on Chao Fa West Rd, to the south of the Honda building, but can already provide emergency and outpatient treatment.

By the time it opens officially next month, the B600-million hospital will have 32 beds, rising eventually to 224.

Hospital director Piriya Atisook told The Phuket News that the hospital will have the latest technology, much of it reliant on QR codes, “This means more complete information and faster action for patients.

“The first time a patient comes to register, we will take details of their ID card and then a photograph. They will then be issued with a QR code wristband.”

This will save time and confusion, he explained.

“For example, [after the patient has seen a doctor] the pharmacist receives the results from the doctor along with the prescription for medication.

“The pharmacist will scan the QR code on the patient’s wrist band to confirm identity, and will then get the code for the type of medication and the amount.

“With 60 staff working here at present it is already saving time and a great deal of paper.”

Chief nurse Kattika Lakiaew explained that the hospital will have many more high-tech aspects. Back-up power will ensure that everything still works when there is a blackout, and the hospital will have its own water re-treatment system so that even water from the toilets can be reused on the landscaping.”

Mr Piriya said, “We have decided to use [power-saving] LCD light everywhere in the hospital.”

A lot of thought has also gone into the hospital’s layout. The main buildings will be vertical tubes with rooms arrayed in a circle on each floor. This will make it faster for nurses to get to any room.

Bathrooms in the wards will be on the outside of the tube, with windows that will allow sunlight to naturally control bacteria.

Although the hospital will not be “cheap”, it will charge only B1,600 per night for a bed.

Mr Piriya said, “I want to be clear about prices. I would not describe Dibuk Hospital as ‘cheap’ but it is a place for Phuket people who want basic or ‘general case’ treatment.

“If the case is serious, the patient will be transferred to main [Bangkok] hospital, if that is what the patient wants. We know very well who are the best doctors for any case at Bangkok Hospital, so the patient will be referred to the right doctor.”

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