A Post for Medical Workers Considering Traveling to Work in Haiti

Many of us that are Medical, especially Doctors or Nurses are wrestling with the decision to go to Haiti, I have been getting emails about this, so I decided to write a post about the actual decision process.And remember above all else, you can give from here and it does matter, and does help. Please see this list to get ideas how to help ( Relief list compiled by Faydra Deon), this list has many ways to help and WHO to give to to help the Haiti Survivors. There are many fine medical Organizations that are doing an amazing job in Haiti, from the Red Cross to Doctors Without Borders, or Medicine Sans Frontiers, to Partners in Health, who have set up a Haiti Page to UNICEF. Please give what you can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction About Rendering Aid in a Diaster Zone
As a nurse of over 20 years I have worked disasters, and also rendered aid during Disasters. But all of my experience was on American Soil, and working with Groups such as the Red Cross or a Medical Group. I am an RN that has ER/PICU/PEDS/NICU/AIDS experience.l am also EMT trained and have work on an ambulance in a rural area, as well as worked and trained in an Urban setting(including crush and severe injuries and gunshot wounds).But even with all of these experiences, if I was to consider going I would ask myself many questions. {{ As I am living,caring for a teenage son, I am not planning to go at this point, I am working on twitter/cellphone as an intermediary connecting messages to aid.In 2005 with the Tsunami and Katrina I did the same thing to help the Disaster Refugees.}} But as someone who has worked Disasters I do want to help those planning or thinking of going to Haiti. ( Please do follow my twitter page @watergatesummer to learn more about Haiti on the ground).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part One: What the Medical Needs are In Haiti ?
At this point most of the injured are severe, Many broken bones, head injuries, crush injuries.People that have experience in Orthopedics, Surgery, Neurology are all severely needed at this time. The work in the Tent Clinics is brutal, guerrilla medicine.People that have worked in this kind of setting or in dire circumstances need to be aware that meds,equipment, and supplies are all limited.Dehydration and Wound Care are only part of what is being provided and with limited resources.( 2.5 Million People are without shelter, this includes the people caring for them, there is limited Shelter, Those caring for the patients are sleeping with the Tent Facilities,and there is limited Relief Staff).The staff at these facilities are not just providing care, they are providing comfort,food and water. There is limited food,water and such necessities as IV equipment,pain meds,surgical equipment,antibiotics,and sterilization processes.There are at this point 5-7 operating Hospital Facilities (these are mostly open air Clinics near Damaged Hospitals at this point). The USS Comfort has arrived as of tonight, which can care for 350Beds,7 Operating Rooms. Medical Care is also being provided at Sea by the USS Vinson,and Critical patients are being transferred to Miami as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part Two: What do you ask yourself if you want to go?
(1) Have you ever done guerialla Medical Care, Street Care, or worked in an urban or rural setting that lacks resources? Do you consider yourself creative ? Can you MacGuyver yourself if you are in need ? IE. Have you ever made a splint out of a cardboard box ? or cared for an injury on a Hike or a car accident ? ( with limited resources ?)
(2) Have you ever worked Trauma ? ER ? Surgery ? Neuro ?ALL of these areas are needed in Haiti- and will be for months.
(3) Have you ever worked 24 hour days, with limited rest or relief for days on end ?
(4) Have you ever had to share a setting with your patients ?
(5) Have your ever worked mass trauma with Thousands of grieving families ?
(6) Are you physically strong enough to go ? ( You might even want to consider getting a physical before you go, and make sure all of your meds are up to date, do take extra Antibiotics -ie, Month supply of cipro for wounds or Stomach ailments).
(7) Are you spiritually strong enough to deal with such devastation and loss and also chaos ? Are you strong under pressure?
Ask yourself what is the worst even you ever went through and how you got through it ?( Remember you will mostly be with people that you do not know in a different culture).
(8) Do you speak any other languages ? There is French and Creole, some spanish there as well. French especially would be helpful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What to take and how to prepare if you plan to go to Haiti
There are many fine organizations in Haiti. Doctors without Borders (MSF) is there, and has been there for many years, even though their facilities were heavily damaged they have set up mobile facilities, and tent clinics and hospitals. Partners in Health and Red Cross are also there, and you can call them as well and offer your services and ask questions.

If you do go do check with the Organization you go with, and check if you are aloud to bring Blackberry or Iphone so you can communicate.Do bring extra meds for self. Protein Bars,Peanut Butter,Dried Fruit. Do bring Sturdy Shoes or boots,like hiking boots. Spare Contacts or glasses.Do bring a bible, 80% of the Injured are Catholic, you will need to pray with them. Do be prepared to sing with them and pray with them, regardless of their religion. Their culture does also embrace voodooism, which means they are very spiritual and seek comfort from the earth and animals around them, you will have to be open to their beliefs.

If you do decide to go to help the Disaster Refugees and Quake Survivors, and need any more information please do email me if I can help more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo by Soledad O'brien
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update 1.20.09
The Guardian has latest update on 6.1 aftershock/Quake this am. BBC and The Guardian are still doing an amazing job covering the quake, and CNN has huge team there as well. Reuters is also doing a good job.