Eric

Dedication to Eric

From: Chairat Noppakovat, MHA, USA (Retired)
International Medical Service Consultant
Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai

Re: Eric story

Eric arrived at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai on Thursday, December 6, 2024, after being transferred from Bangkok Hospital Chiang Rai. He had been admitted to the emergency room there after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest. In critical condition, unconscious, and intubated, he was flown by Bangkok Hospital helicopter from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. I was notified of the emergency medical evacuation of a 64-year-old American man named Eric, who was in critical condition.

Upon his arrival, Eric was admitted to the intensive care unit, where our dedicated medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize him. He underwent multiple surgeries, dialysis, and treatment with various medications in a concerted effort to save his life. During this critical period at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, it was ethically necessary to locate a family member, friend, or legal guardian—someone with durable power of attorney or a health proxy—to make vital decisions regarding his medical care. While the medical team attended to his care, I was tasked with finding his family or a representative to assist with these critical decisions.

Unfortunately, he had not listed any next of kin on his passport or in a personal notebook found among his possessions.  Furthermore, there was no indication of a living will or family contact information. As he was traveling alone in Thailand, we were unable to locate anyone to assist us with medical decision-making. We also contacted the Thai Tourist Police, the local hotel where he had been staying, and the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai in an attempt to locate his family.

Running out of official options, I discovered that because he had spent some time in Chiang Rai, he had completed a registration form at the hospital before he became ill. Fortunately, he had written down a friend’s name and number in Alaska, USA, on the form. Despite calling the number multiple times, I received no response. Determined to find his family, as nearly three days had passed, I decided to contact the Alaska State Troopers for assistance. I explained the situation to the desk officer and emphasized the urgency of locating the patient’s family. The officer dispatched a patrol unit to locate his next of kin.

The following morning in Thailand, I received a call from an American expatriate living in Chiang Mai. He informed me that he had been contacted by the patient’s next of kin in Alaska, who had asked him to contact me while she attempted to locate other family members in the United States. Later that afternoon, I connected with the patient’s younger brother and mother via WhatsApp. From then on, our medical team was able to communicate directly with his family.

We did everything possible to improve his condition. Unfortunately, his medical condition was fatal, and we were unable to save him. His family made a joint decision to allow him to pass naturally. After 13 days, Eric passed away peacefully. We then arranged religious services and cremation at a local crematory facility and shipped his remains back to his family in America.

Testimonial from Tim, Eric’s Younger Brother:

“My brother was an expert traveler. He had visited almost every continent. He had hiked the Appalachian Trail, Camino de Santiago, and Everest Base Camp. He was self-reliant and adventurous. His last trip was meant to be the trip of a lifetime, taking him to eight different countries. Sadly, that journey ended in Thailand, where he became extremely ill and collapsed soon after making it to the hospital. He never regained consciousness. In spite of having many friends, he had not designated an emergency contact.

Fortunately, he had brought important documents to the hospital with him. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai acted resourcefully and contacted the police in his hometown in the United States.  The police then collaborated with a local hospital to track down a friend of my brother. That friend took the initiative to search through Facebook and old emails to find me and call me in the early morning with the disturbing news that my brother was gravely ill in Thailand and needed help. Precious time was lost between his hospital admission and the moment a family member was contacted, simply because he had not listed an emergency contact. Thankfully, he had purchased travel insurance and carried the necessary documentation. Though his travel insurance was expensive and the issuing company has been slow and difficult to work with, the financial burden without it would have been overwhelming. I am deeply grateful to Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai and, especially, to Chairat, their International Medical Service Consultant, for their dedication and care for my brother, as well as their excellent communication throughout this difficult time. I hope other travelers will learn from our experience and from the good work of the hospital.”

As Tim mentioned above, having next-of-kin information readily available and securing international medical insurance are crucial when traveling abroad. Equally important is choosing a medical facility that prioritizes patient care and excels in communication with family members during emergencies. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of every patient under our care.