Heartfelt thanks for our health care

With everything that has been said and written about our health system in general and the MUHC in particular, this recent personal experience should help set the clocks right.

On Aug. 12, I suffered a heart attack. My wife called 911, and an ambulance showed up within minutes.

During the drive to the Royal Victoria Hospital at the Glen — my choice — I was treated with aspirin and nitro, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) was done.

Upon arrival at the emergency ward, a team of doctors, nurses and attendants took over, and the cardiologist on duty showed up within minutes.

I was set on monitor and an IV tube was inserted. After having been constantly monitored and checked overnight, in my own room, I was transferred to a private room in the cardiac ward.

More tests were performed, including an echocardiogram, an angiogram, hourly monitoring of my vital signs, lung function and more ECGs, followed by angioplasty to install a stent and a medicated balloon on a main and secondary artery, respectively.

Upon my release from hospital, I was provided with a written description of the problem, the procedures performed, the medication prescription and advice on post-traumatic care, behaviour and diet.

The care I received was nothing less than perfect. Everyone — from the ambulance attendants to the cleaning personnel — was highly professional, dedicated, competent, nice and welcoming, and addressed me in the language of my choice.

The rooms were clean and equipped with state-of-theart equipment.

I can only express the most sincere thanks to all and to a health-care system that performed without a flaw.

I feel lucky to be a Canadian and living in Quebec. As I told an inquisitive U.S. doctor a few years ago: “In Canada, if you are sick, you are treated very well and you don’t have to mortgage your house or declare bankruptcy.”

André Simard, Laval