June 15, 2012

After two weeks at QECH, we have finally begun to make progress on our BTB projects!  We spent most of this week assembling the devices we brought with us, scheduling meetings, and reviewing CPAP study data.  Here is a summary of what we’ve accomplished this week:

• Bridget sized the Babalung apnea monitor on a Malawian neonate, and quickly realized that most neonates here are MUCH smaller than neonates in the U.S.  On average, most babies weigh only 1300 grams at birth (which is only 2.85 pounds!).  Needless to say, Bridget will be making a new, smaller strap to fit the babies at Queens!

• We met with the Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology (Obs and Gynae) Department, talked to him about the SAPHE Pads, and scheduled to demonstrate the SAPHE Pads at one of their Departmental meetings next week!

• We also met with Dr. Kennedy (Head of the Paediatrics Department) to discuss the BTB technologies we have brought with us.  He was very excited about them!  We will be presenting the IV DRIP, NeoSyP, and Babalung to the entire Paediatrics Department next week!

• We took an inventory of all of the oxygen concentrators, suction machines, and bilirubin treatment lights in the Paediatrics Department.  We assigned each device an equipment number, assessed whether or not each device was working, and attempted to fix any broken equipment.  The nurses were very happy when they found out we had successfully repaired 3 of the oxygen concentrators!

 

• Bridget and I took over most of the CPAP study responsibilities.  We check on the CPAP study patients each morning and afternoon, and collect any completed files.  I am responsible for entering all of the study data, and Bridget is responsible for testing and maintaining the CPAP machines.

• We attended Journal Club on Monday and the Grand Rounds presentation on Tuesday.  In Journal Club, we discussed the issues with diagnosing UTIs (urinary tract infections) in children.  Surprisingly, it was a very interesting discussion!  The Grand Rounds presentation was about the relationship between retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye) and cerebral malaria.  It was amazing to hear how significant a patient’s eye exam can be in diagnosing and managing cerebral malaria!

• Finally, we visited the Paediatrics A&E (Accidents and Emergencies) ward.  It was pretty crazy…lots of sick children and worried patients waiting, and lots of frantic nurses moving from patient to patient.  We visited A&E in hopes of finding IV poles (to see where the IV DRIP device could best be used).  We did find a few poles – however it seems as if most of the IV bags here are hung from hooks on the wall behind the patient, rather than from IV poles.