Anesthetic Practice in Haiti After the 2010 Earthquake

• DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181fa3241
• Publication Date: 2010-10-02T10:48:11Z
• Authors: Mark J. Rice; Alan Gwertzman; Timothy Finley; Timothy E. Morey
• Keywords: Patient Care Team; Postoperative Care; Emergency Medical Services; Operating Rooms; Attitude of Health Personnel; Civil Defense; Disaster Planning; Altruism; Haiti; Health Services Accessibility; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Equipment and Supplies; Earthquakes; Health Resources; Humans; Mass Casualty Incidents; Organizational Objectives; Clinical Competence; Cooperative Behavior; Anesthesia Department, Hospital; Anesthetics

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 M(L) earthquake devastated Haiti, the most impoverished nation in Western hemisphere with extremely limited health care resources. We traveled to Milot, Haiti situated north of Port-au-Prince, for injured patients at Hôpital Sacré Coeur, an undamaged hospital 74 beds and 2 operating rooms. The massive influx brought by helicopter from zone transformed >400 6 As 2005 Kashmir 2008 China earthquake, victims suffered extremity injuries, encompassing crush lacerations, fractures, amputations associated dehydration anemia. Preoperative evaluation was language issues requiring translator included basic questions fasting status, allergies, coexisting conditions. Goals adequate depth anesthesia, while avoiding apnea/airway manipulation. These goals led frequent use midazolam ketamine or regional anesthesia. Although many medications were present under various names concentrations, absence central gas supply proved troublesome. Postoperative 8-bed postanesthesia unit/intensive unit caring tetanus, diabetic ketoacidosis, pulmonary aspiration, acute renal failure due crush, extreme anemia, sepsis, other illnesses. Other important aspects this journey professionalism personnel who prioritized patient care, adaptation laboratory radiological services, provision living arrangements. challenging perspectives, experience emotionally enriching recalls fundamental reasons why we selected medicine anesthesiology as profession.