Medical Missions: Honduras

Honduras

We settled into a full flight to San Pedro Sula and 2.5 hours later arrived safely and were greeted by the warm air of Honduras. As we flew over we looked down on luscious green country side, coconut palms, banana plants and corn fields. It was so beautiful.

Of course, trunks were everywhere and people started hauling them to the hospital. Little did we realize what we’d find there. Besides the completely stocked and organized Central supply, thanks to the efforts of the Mpls and Tucson teams’ tireless, yearlong efforts in securing and transporting 1000s of supplies to the AL staging area to be shipped to Honduras on containers and the main hallway and team lounge stacked HIGH with cartons of all the supplies ordered for the team from Fairview in Mpls.

  There is now lock and key anesthesia, OR tables that ALL go up and down (no more aching backs), a new exam room where last year’s pre-op was located to be used by the Ob-Gyn doctors to see patients (complete with a working ultra-sound and an entrance to the main hospital hallway) a team lounge that also has a door to the main hallway, AND a brand new, multi-bed, “state of the art” pre-op with a new expanded wing…one with its own bathroom and a doorway that the beds can be wheeled through and into the OR suite! 
It is incredible. 

 I think that we’re finally figuring out how to navigate our way through the steps of hitting the ground running without too many missteps.

We went about organizing the anesthesia medications, as well as answering the needs of those who came asking for the needed meds for injections, etc. in the clinic. Also went from OR to OR checking the machines and supplies so as to be ready for the full start of the OR schedules.

The other members of the team headed to the clinic. The goal today was to see the total joint patients from last year’s list who had been called to come back and get them scheduled for surgery. 

When we reviewed the schedules and x-ray files last night- ALL x-rays were accounted for and surgery schedules were synced one with the other!

Mission accomplished…at least at this point.

There was a steady stream of ortho patients. The patients were as gracious and patient as always, the translators facilitated the good communication needed and the clinic staff maintained their cool and were so patient as we put such increased demands on their time and energy.

A few of the local ladies sporting their KimKaps:

 Adding a dose of cute to the OR:

Thanks you, Ayda, for the photos & the write up, & to the entire team for letting us be a small part of your Medical Mission to Honduras.
  More importantly, 
THANK YOU
for the wonderful work you've done for so many.

If you or someone you know is heading out on a Medical Mission please email us at kim@kimkaps.com with the following information:
Name
Where & when you're going

A little about the group you're traveling with.
A mailing address for the KimKaps to be sent.
We will gladly donate 10 KimKaps for your Medical Mission.
Thanks!