2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
from: Natalie Eaton, Megan Oakley & Beth Higney

Hello from the nurses! Sorry we haven’t updated lately, we couldn’t get to the computer last night but hope we got your attention with the title. No, there was no emergency but we did spend Thursday working in the emergency room at the Children’s Hospital.
After utilizing the translator we were able to meet with the director of the hospital and arrange the opportunity for us to work in the pediatric emergency room on Thursday. The translator was so helpful and made it possible for us to finally express how much we really want to help. Yesterday was the first day that we were asked to really jump in and “do” something. I think it took a couple of days for them to warm up to us and really see how much we know and how much we really can help. The nursing roles here are a bit different compared to the states. For example, nurses do not do any assessments on the patients; in fact, we have yet to see one use a stethoscope. Luckily, we had a translator and one of the doctors in the ER spoke English. We were able to help with assessments and initial diagnosis as the patients came in. We administered medications, started IVs, and drew blood. Like we stated earlier, things are done a little bit different here but it is interesting to see how their hospital units function.

On Wednesday we were at Fundabiem, a state of the art rehabilitation center. After being told that there were not any nurses there, we felt a little out of place. Turned out, O.T. found an opportunity for nursing. We were surprised at how basic teaching is never conveyed to the patients or their families. For example, we assessed a 22 year old patient who had suffered a head injury and multiple internal traumas from a car wreck 18 months ago. His status was not progressing due to set backs from seizures. He was malnourished and had the beginning stages of a pressure ulcer on his tailbone. We spent time with the patient and his mother after we assessed the pressure ulcer, and we were amazed at how they had no information to prevent or improve complications. We took time to explain how increased protein and calories would help with the wound healing, preventing more wounds, and increasing his energy level.

We gave examples of foods with protein that the family had access to and could afford. Then, we addressed and demonstrated changing the patient’s position every 2 hours to help prevent further skin breakdown- which was a new concept to the mother. One thing we must consider here is the financial ability of the families. At home it is easy to recommend protein and nutritional supplements, as well as appropriately fitting medical equipment (wheelchairs), but here these resources are not easily obtainable. The family was so grateful for our help, and we are continually reminding ourselves here that it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in people’s lives.

Between the past two nights we have served over 1000 people at the soup kitchen. The story behind how the soup kitchen was started is just as amazing as the people who come in there. We were even able to use nursing skills aside from serving food! We helped people in pain, in need of wound care, and with catheter bags. Even though the stories these people share are heartbreaking, it was a very rewarding experience and we have a lot to learn from them.

Sorry if this post is a little bit scatterbrained, we are on the bus now headed back to the hospital and then to Antigua this afternoon!! Can’t wait to update you all! I am now watching Megan stare out the window. I honestly think she is just as heartbroken by the stray dogs as she is with the people we see every day. Margo, you may end up with a Guatemalan sister! Talk to ya’ll tomorrow!

Natalie Eaton
Megan Oakley
Beth Higney