I don't think anyone can compete on a factual level with Diana's Dianatribe on hospitalization in Spain (sorry about the pun :)), but here's some practical experience:
I've been thrice: Once for, shall we say, "clogged pipes", once for some rayos-x on my chest, and once for a more serious ligament tear in my ankle (requiring casting, etc.).
The pipe de-clogging went fairly well, as the staff was very friendly (this was in Avilés, Asturias). I always felt like I was in a hospital in the US, which while not necessarily better or worse, was a known quantity.
The x-rays were a bit stranger, as they were handled in a clínica...a bit disorganized, and frankly frightening. I think that this was one of those "seguridad social" facilities Diana was talking about.
The third and most severe, the casting, was handled at the Virgen Blanca Hospital in Bilbao. They were very professional, very knowledgeable, but also still using plaster-of-Paris for casts (in 1993...). (That's okay since they're easier to sign:rolleyes
.
I would have to say that despite the variety of conditions, I always felt at ease whilst being attended to at a facility. JUST PRAY YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT
AND HAVE THE "CRUZ ROJA" DUDES
PICK YOU UP IN THEIR MEAT WAGON
!!! That is nothing but Keystone Kops-style paramedicine!!!