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Haiti Disaster Relief Information
Hello WOCN members. We have compiled some information about opportunities about contributions and volunteerism in case any of you wish to participate in efforts for assistance to those in need in Haiti after the devastating earthquakes.
ANA Situation Report: Haiti Earthquate 1/28/10
The Haitian Ministry of Health (Health Cluster in Haiti, Bulletin #9) is reporting the following:
Reports indicate that almost all people with injuries have received medical attention; however, some still require surgical care.
Current priorities include post-operative care and rehabilitation of disabled people, primary care at internally displaced persons sites and provision of medical services outside of Port-au-Prince.
The Haitian Government, in cooperation with PAHO/WHO and UNICEF, will start vaccinating against measles, tetanus and diphtheria in selected settlement camps next week.
Medical teams have reported in a shift in the types of cases that they are receiving. There are growing caseloads of diarrhea, measles and tetanus. Additionally, there is a decrease in trauma cases and increase in mental health needs.
ANA notes, it is important to remember: *Donations of money are most urgently needed at this point – the Center for International Disaster Information (see email link below) or the Clinton Foundation websites provide information on how to donate to legitimate organizations that are already established in Haiti.
- The federal government is encouraging individuals to register offers of support through the Center for International Disaster Information website. This is the website USAID is using to coordinate efforts, and the offers are being reviewed by HHS, and logged to match with specific requests as they come up.
- Additional sites for contributions include:
*Do not self-deploy. The infrastructure is extremely fragile, and safety and security may be an issue as well. There is limited/no ability to support responders on the ground, and inexperienced or under-supported volunteers may create additional problems.
ANA Update:
ANA continues to recruit nurses who are interested in being considered for possible deployment to Haiti. As always, it is important to remember that patience is the watchword for this disaster. Nurses can access the online form for ANA's database at www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief.
ANA continues to update our page on the Haiti disaster, www.nursingworld.org/haitirelief. Information links are available to:
- Information on Vaccinations
- Webinar, What Medical and Public Health Responders Can Expect in Haiti
ANA continues to encourage interested donors to consider donating to the American Nurses Foundation which has established a fund that will benefit restoring the nursing infrastructure in Haiti and the Association Nationale des Infirmieres Licencies d'Haiti. You can donate here
Other News:
The Department of Health and Human Services has established an email for health care professionals interested in volunteering – Haiti.volunteer@hhs.gov. Please include your name, clinical area, specialty skills, degrees, and language capabilities. The notice also states the following: “Please keep in mind that volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are rare, and it may not be possible to accept your offer for assistance at this time.”
CDC has just developed specific TB guidance for facilities receiving TB patients from Haiti and also for relief workers. This guidance is now available on the following CDC website: www.cdc.gov/tb/NewsandAnnoucements/earthquakes.htm
ANA has received a request from the International Medical Corps to assist in recruiting registered nurses who specialize in:
- Operating Room
- Post-Anesthesia/Recovery
- Care of post-operative surgical patients
1. The deployment mission is for a hospital that is understaffed on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. At this point in time, there is not a specified deployment date or length of deployment. Nurses interested in potentially participating in this mission should consider the following:
- Conditions are likely to be VERY austere. Responders need to be physically fit and able to manage themselves in such an environment.
- Talk with your family and employer so that you have a plan for when you are deployed.
2. If you are interested in being considered for this mission, please send an email to Cheryl Peterson at Cheryl.peterson@ana.org. Provide the following information in the email:
Name and credentials
Contact information
Area and number of years in clinical practice
State license information
Past disaster response experience
3. ANA will serve as a clearinghouse of interested volunteers and will forward this information on to the International Medical Corps and will also keep your name on file as other deployment opportunities become available.
University of Miami Relief Efforts:
We are sharing information we received from Dr. Robert Kirsner about his and Dr. John Macdonald's involvement in Haiti relief from the University of Miami (UM).
UM 'Hospital' is fully running with approximately 240 beds and 4 ORs, an ER and an ICU.
Wound Care is exceptional there and is considered among the STAR SERVICES. Over 80% of all patients have wounds and we have several 'teams' on the ground at any time. Our UM Wound Effort is in fact an international effort; trans-disciplinary and trans-organizational and is paying great dividends for people of Haiti.
Contact Information:
Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., PhD
Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
(305) 243-4472 (office)
(305) 243-6191 (fax)
RKirsner@med.miami.edu
Dr. Kirsner is helping coordinate efforts from University of Miami and he is reaching out to anyone who is interested in sending supplies or volunteering with the UM. If you are interested in sending supplies, they should be sent to the address below and they specifically request that you include a list of the supplies sent with the name of the supply, the manufacturer, catalog number, description, unit, and quantity to facilitate sorting of the materials.
Supplies can be sent to the warehouse at:
UM Health Systems Warehouse
1636 NW 7 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Warehouse Contact:
Don Siler – (305)243-2146
Volunteers with University of Miami for Haiti Relief
For those interested in volunteering to help, the University of Miami is preparing a system to help prepare care givers to go to Haiti. The plan is an orientation prior to a 3-4 day deployment. Paulette Richards is coordinating volunteers for UM and has provided the following information about contacting them to volunteer:
If you are willing and able to go to Haiti to assist, please add your name to the volunteer list by emailing:
Paulette Richards
Executive & Administrative Manager
Global Institute for Community Health and Development
Phone: (305)243-1275
Fax: (305)243-1294
They will be in touch with you to let you know when and how you might be able to help. They ask that you kindly wait for them to contact you. To volunteer, please send the following information to Paulette Richards prichards@med.miami.edu:
Name
Specialty (skills)
Spoken Language(s)
Email address
ALL contact phone numbers
Availability
If you are a non-University of Miami physician, nurse or medical assistant etc., please be sure to bring a copy of your license and photo I.D. when called upon to deploy.
UPDATE:
The University of Miami is working toward having 10 people on-site in Haiti at all times with 3 teams of three people (physician + 2 nurses) working in shifts. The deployment will likely be 4-5 days. Interested individuals would be responsible for getting to Miami and then transportation from Miami to Haiti and back will be provided. You will need a passport and a copy of it with you as well as your medical nursing license and a copy of that. Additionally, the following personal items should be brought for the trip:
- Personal Hygiene/Toiletry Supplies
- Sun Block
- Mosquito Repellent
- Flashlight & extra batteries
- Baby Wipes
Please remember that there are no showers or toilets in many cases.
Weight limit for personal gear is 60 lbs./person
Interested individuals should send the following information to:
Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., PhD – RKirsner@med.miami.edu
Full name
Contact#
Home address
Date of birth
E-mail address
Languages spoken
Title or profession
Specialty/skills
Country of citizenship
Passport # with exp date
UM affiliation? If not, what organization?
Please wait for a response as the team is working to keep up as best they can.
Updated: February 1, 2010
Posted: January 20, 2010
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