MA. ALLYZA FAITH C.

SABULAO BSN IV – C GROUP H

There's a patient that needs to be admitted in the ICU, unfortunately they cannot afford the
bills including the down payment before admission. As a nurse, what will you do?

In the Philippines, this dilemma is quite common as we are in a third world country where
healthcare services are considered as a privilege by many.

As a nurse handling the admission of the patient who is to be transferred to the ICU,
encountering this problem, I would kindly suggest to the significant others who are available at
the moment to immediately seek help from institutions who are able to provide medical
assistance. Examples of institutions that I may suggest are Office of the President/Vice President,
DOH’s Medical Assistance Program and one of the most common institutions would be the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Malasakit Centers.

Finally, I would also advise the patient to look for hospitals that are offering the same
services in lower costs to accommodate the patient as soon as possible. Dealing with such
patients who are incapable of providing financially is really challenging but as a nurse working
under the hospital, we are to follow their protocols but with the thought of still being able to
empathize with the patient’s condition and the significant others. Despite of not being able to
afford the ICU admission, we are to implement the basic procedures to prevent further
complications that may occur.