English-speaking doctors with work experience in the EU and USA... above-standard patient services... modern medical technologies. That is just a sliver of the exceptional services offered to patients at the MEDISSIMO private hospital and its outpatient facilities in Bratislava. Why our facility is ideal for foreigners as well as Slovak citizens is explained by MUDr. Katarína Kafková, the director of MEDISSIMO.
MEDISSIMO is the first ‘green field’ private clinic with above standard outpatient facilities in Slovakia. You are a pioneer in Slovak private health care. Do you consider this an advantage?
We are glad that we can offer Slovak patients what they have been lacking and provide foreign patients what they are used to in their home countries – health care of top quality with a personal approach. To be ‘first’ is also difficult. Slovak health care is still marked by the past. Slovak patients got accustomed to visiting the doctor for ‘free’. We are still learning to pay for medical care and to invest in health here in Slovakia. It will take us a while to realise these are the best-rated resources.
Are foreign patients interested in the medical care offered at MEDISSIMO?
Before we started our facility many foreign patients sought out clinics in Hainburg or Vienna, Austria. We’re glad that a large number of them have now found an alternative in our hospital. MEDISSIMO is becoming a synonym for security among our patients and they know they can come to us with any medical problem. We strive to keep increasing this number.
How does MEDISSIMO differ from other private medical facilities?
It is very beneficial for our patients. Unlike other private medical centres of a polyclinic type, ours has a wider range of medical care – general practitioners, 22 professional polyclinics, a digitalised radio diagnostic ward, surgery rooms, an intensive care ward, hotel-style lodging, physiotherapy and rehabilitation facilities, and even a pharmacy. With a serious disease it’s crucial not only to diagnose it quickly but also to offer the appropriate treatment, including a timely surgery. The fact that our professional facilities are interconnected is a guarantee of quick intervention. This increases the chance of success and the patient’s full recovery.
Do you insist on your doctors taking a special approach and having language skills?
The majority of our doctors speak at least one widely-spoken foreign language, most often English or German. We also organise English language courses for our medical staff in the hospital. For our foreign clientele, we try not only to communicate well at our central reception but we also offer the possibility of an immediate phone call with a bilingual doctor – one who has had long-term work experience abroad. For example, it’s someone like Dr. Pavol Hnilica who was an intern in the USA for 12 years. Today, he’s in charge of MEDISSIMO’s in-patient services. ‘Dr. Paul’, as he is called, is the lead doctor in charge of foreign patients here at MEDISSIMO. Other doctors working here have also worked in various European countries.
What health care services does your hospital offer to English -speaking clients?
They can choose from more than 20 product packages and arrange these according to their needs. All our services are also offered to self-payers. Health care in Slovakia is a good bargain, money-wise, for foreign patients, often 30-50 percent less than at clinics in Germany or Austria. Further information on our prices is available on our website. We also can create connections with foreign insurance companies and in comparison to prices at foreign hospitals MEDISSIMO is reasonably priced for these insurance companies. And we guarantee the highest quality for all of our services.
What foreign insurance companies does MEDISSIMO work with?
The majority of the foreign insurance companies, including International SOS, Vanbreda International, Tricare and GMC Services cooperate with us. And anyone can use the health-care services of MEDISSIMO as a self-payer.
You built upon the foundation of quality patient care. What extra comforts do you offer?
Extended surgery hours, a main reception and call centre with English- and German-speaking staff, and advance appointments for examinations: by phone, on +421 (0)2 3230-3030, by e-mail, at clients@medissimo.sk or by online booking via our website. If patients have to wait in between examinations there is a free Wifi zone, magazines and refreshments at Café MEDISSIMO.
There are special comforts for our patients in their lodgings. All the single and double rooms have an en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning. Patients can relax thanks to each room’s multifunctional screen with internet, video games, television and phone. All the rooms, with an average size of 35m2, have an adjustable bed with a special mattress to protect against bedsores and 24 hour medical care as well as the en-suite bathroom. If a patient wants something other than hospital food and their medical condition allows it, the staff will ensure take-away from restaurants in Bratislava. The same applies for foreign patients whose religion demands a special diet. Our patients and visitors also appreciate the easy access and free parking in the lot right in front of the hospital.
A Sampling of MEDISSIMO’S prices
Digital mammography – €20
USG of breasts – €20
MRI of the cervical spine – €60
Gastrofibroscopy – €70
Colonoscopy – €60
Tran esophagus EKG – €10
Reflexive foot massage – €15
Year-long medical care – from €180
About MUDr. Katarína Kafková, Director of MEDISSIMO
Before working for MEDISSIMO Dr. Kafková was the director of purchasing for the medical care department of UNION health insurance company where she assessed providers of medical care based on the quality of the medical care they provided. She introduced progressive and innovative methods and techniques that supported improved medical care quality by contract-bound providers of medical care.
As a Deputy Main Hygienist for the main hygienic office of the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic she actively participated in the crisis staff and in coordination during the bird flu pandemic in Slovakia. As the main state advisor and professional performing tasks for the government deputy in the Medical Control and Complaints department she dealt with questions of steering and organizing medical care in Slovakia.
