Going to Haiti -- need some recommendations

[pearljam5a1]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all,

I need some recommendations for some references to bring to Haiti with me in a couple weeks. I'll be dealing mostly with children but we won't refuse anyone that comes for help. I'm going to bring my iPod touch with the generic references (micromedex/epocrates) but I would like a physical copy of a reference in case I'm unable to charge it. Ideally it should be portable.

I'm going with at least two MD's and I'm the only pharmacy presence so I'm a bit nervous, but I'm looking forward to this.

Thanks for the advice!

On a side note: it looks like I might be there at the same time as Charlie Sheen, so hopefully we'll both be, you know, winning.

 

[Maximum404]

Hello all,

I need some recommendations for some references to bring to Haiti with me in a couple weeks. I'll be dealing mostly with children but we won't refuse anyone that comes for help. I'm going to bring my iPod touch with the generic references (micromedex/epocrates) but I would like a physical copy of a reference in case I'm unable to charge it. Ideally it should be portable.

I'm going with at least two MD's and I'm the only pharmacy presence so I'm a bit nervous, but I'm looking forward to this.

Thanks for the advice!

On a side note: it looks like I might be there at the same time as Charlie Sheen, so hopefully we'll both be, you know, winning.

I was there for a month setting up a clinic in Jan 2010 so it should be in better shape when I was there. I am not sure what the best reference is for you to bring, but I can't imagine how much "winning" you'll be doing there ;-). Good thinking on the paper ref. though, power is pretty hard to come by in some locations. Where will you be located?

 

[Praziquantel86]

Hello all,

I need some recommendations for some references to bring to Haiti with me in a couple weeks. I'll be dealing mostly with children but we won't refuse anyone that comes for help. I'm going to bring my iPod touch with the generic references (micromedex/epocrates) but I would like a physical copy of a reference in case I'm unable to charge it. Ideally it should be portable.

I'm going with at least two MD's and I'm the only pharmacy presence so I'm a bit nervous, but I'm looking forward to this.

Thanks for the advice!

On a side note: it looks like I might be there at the same time as Charlie Sheen, so hopefully we'll both be, you know, winning.

In that area, I'd look for a good tropical medicine handbook (there are several, read through the reviews on Amazon and see which one seems to be the best). The predominant disease states and medicine used will be very different than those that you see in the U.S. Other drug information references that would be worthwhile are the Lexi-Comp guide, Sanford antimicrobial handbook and CDC/WHO vaccination guidelines.

 

[pearljam5a1]

Where will you be located?

We'll be at St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince.

 

[FruitFly]

We'll be at St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince.

Try not to bring a lot of large books but communication devices and computerized access to information. Nevertheless, I usually carry a few pocket guides- particularly Sanford Guide for ID, and an Emergency Medicine handbook. I also agree with the WHO guidelines and brush up on malnutrition, injuries, and ID. I also try to keep a guide to international names for medications on international journeys.

Thanks for the commitment to doing this. I wish more future pharmacists would get involved in international health and public health issues here at home. Big thumbs up. 👍 Good luck and just do your best and keep in mind that your medication choices may be limited since you are in an impoverished country with low resources, and hopefully by now the international community has helped supply more, but nevertheless, the goal of the pharmacist on such a mission is to maximize what resources you have for the greatest good, but, should have an eye towards logistics in terms of determining supply needs. Make sure you have access to clean, potable water out there (recent outbreaks of cholera), and prepare by being as healthy as you can possibly be since that's the only way to then help others.

 

[Caverject]

If you are bringing your ipod touch, make sure you have martindale in it. I just spent a year in a nation that relies on medication donation and you will come across drugs from other countries that you will have no idea what to do with. As far as books, lexi-comp drug book should get you by in a pinch.