Let's talk hospitals

Judy again. (I've accepted the idea that I have more useless observations and commentary than Pat has...) Kdramas feature hospitals in many shows. Hospitals in Korea are depicted very differently than hospitals in the US. And this Gmama notices the differences.

Firstly, if you have enough money in Korea you get a VIP room which is the size of a rather large living room with bed, couches, coffee tables, side chairs, bedside lamps, refrigrator, and bar area. These rooms are large enough to entertain the entire family when they visit the patient. No squirming in-between beds and rearranging uncomfortable chairs like in the US.

Just your typical hospital room in the US? Nope this is a rather modest Hospital VIP suite in Korea.

Of course the physical appearance of these hospitals are different. They don't appear to have all the mechanical clutter and devices that we see in hospitals in the States. Everything is open, spacious, and organized. The staff is dressed in neat, tidy uniforms that all match. Invariably the nurses are in whites with rather preppy cardigans or matching tops. Your position in the heirarchy is clearly dilineated by your uniform. This also extends to the patients as they wear matching pajamas that neatly clothe the body; no gaping gowns or disheveled patients in Korea!

You can spot the Doctors vs Nurses vs Orderlies in Korea just by their outfits! - from Dr Romantic

Another remarkable thing is the ER. As I've mentioned previously even for the most minor injury or illness people go to the ER for treatment.

Minor upset stomach? Go to the ER!

Scraped elbow? Go to the ER!

Faint? Go to the ER!

And I cannot number the times I've seen the patient rip out their IV's and abruptly leave the hospital without getting 'released.' Patients are also seen on the streets with overcoats and pajamas kind of wandering around; they even will have their IV stands with them!

But my all time favorite occurred in a show where the patient was admitted for major surgery scheduled the next morning. This patient left the hospital to have dinner with her family! Yep, she got dressed in nice clothes, went out for a steak dinner, and then returned to the hospital. Try that in a US hospital!