Developing a trauma critical care and rehab hospital in Haiti: a year after the earthquake

Abstract

Objective: Prior to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, January 12, 2010, a group of Haitian physicians, leaders and members of Project Medishare for Haiti, a Non-governmental Organization, had developed plans for a Trauma Critical Care Network for Haiti.

Design: One year after the earthquake stands a 50-bed trauma critical care and rehab hospital that employs more than 165 Haitian doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals, and administrative and support staff in Port-Au-Prince. Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare (HBMPM) has been operating with the following two primary goals: 1) to provide critical-care- and trauma-related medical and rehabilitation services and 2) to provide clinical education and training to Haitian healthcare professionals.(1)

Results: These goals have been successfully accomplished, with more than 43,000 outpatients seen, 6,500 emergency room visits, and about 2,300 surgical procedures performed. Daily patient care has been managed by Haitian medical staff as well as more than 2,400 international volunteers including physicians, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals. With the continued assistance of weekly volunteers, many programs and services have been developed; however, many challenges remain.

Conclusions: This article highlights the development and progress of HBMPM over the last year with emphasis on developing inpatient and outpatient services, which include surgical, clinical laboratory, wound care, radiology, rehabilitation, and prosthesis/orthotics programs. Some of the challenges faced and how they were managed will be discussed as well as future plans to conduct more training and education to increase the building of medical capacity for Haiti.