American College of Surgeons Releases Statement of Support for Medical Tourism

IndUShealth standard business practices are unerringly aligned with ACS Position statements

These encouraging statements were developed by the Committee on Perioperitve Care and approved by the Board of Regents at its February 2009 meeting:

"The ACS encourages patients to seek care of the highest quality and supports their rights to select surgeons and health care institutions without restriction."
"The ACS encourages its Fellows to assist all patients in reaching informed decisions concerning medical are, whether at home or abroad."

The anticipated caveats in this statement are just as important, as the ACS is not suggesting US patients book passage without careful consideration. It is interesting to note that IndUShealth anticipated each of the concerns now expressed by the ACS early in the business planning stages of the company. These caveats are:

1. Make sure you understand the laws of the country and have legal recourse in case there is liability for an injury.
2. Choose hospitals that have met the standards of the US Joint Commission.
3. Seek care from surgeons who are certified in their specialties through a process equivalent to those established by the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties
4. Obtain a complete set of medical records prior to returning home and coordinate follow-up care prior to travel.
5. Understand the risks of international flights with anesthesia and surgical procedures.

The ACS is essentially stating that when a US patient feels the real or perceived need to seek surgery outside the US, that the Fellows of the ACS should be supportive. However, it is probably unreasonable for the US patient or corporate healthcare benefits executive to anticipate that the US surgeon should provide the necessary peer review, case planning, medical records and follow up coordination required for medical/surgical tourism.

Rather than taking a protectionist stance on medical/surgical tourism, I believe that a hospital and surgical staff could establish a network for international patient support. Providing access to lower cost options with an Indian hospital partner would seem to be an innovative strategy to create superior competitive advantage.