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So I have to make a correction/retraction for Dr. Ramos. We had the discussion during ward rounds at Annotto Bay regarding my post about peds patients being transferred to Bustamante being “very sick”. In fact many of the very sick patients stay at Annotto Bay (such as the 30 week premie on CPAP or the new-onset diabetic, among others that are currently there.) Usually the reason for transfer to Bustamante is because the patient requires Pediatric specialty care, such as surgery or oncology. And as I think on it – the care we give back home in our rural non-pediatric hospital is very similar. We are 5 hours away from pediatrics specialists and care for a very similar level of sick patients. I stand corrected! Dr. Jeff
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ventilatorDid you know in Jamaica there is Universal healthcare coverage?
•Hospitals run by government
•Governments spend $125/person vs $5000/person in USA
•Doctors ratio – 8.5:10,000 people
•Dentist 1:17,000 people
•Pediatricians are subspecialists (children < 12 yo)
•Medical transport is limited
•Healthcare centers provide free vaccines
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My first day (8/5) was at Port Maria Hospital. We had a substitute driver named Justin. Steve was not available – never heard why… Justin is actually the X-ray tech at the hospital but became the driver for the morning as the X-ray machine was down for the day. (Didn’t hear if it was fixed) Had a tour of the facility from Dr. Brown, the Parish Manager. (equivalent to a County Health Officer?) Then they put me right to work.I saw Urgent Care type cases – first come, first served. It was right next to the ED – Which they call A&E here (I believe it’s for accidents and emergencies).  Saw a total of 6 patients only – I guess it was a slow day as the A&E was not busy when I arrived and the Peds Ward was rather quiet.Two of the patients were infants w/ constipation but otherwise healthy (they say “Can’t du du” here) and a young man with a cellulitis from nail puncture on his foot. The last patient I saw had a second occurrence of fever w/ bad leg pain – so bad he had trouble walking. Otherwise healthy kid. We got some blood work (one of the Jamaican doctors helped me – I haven’t drawn blood in 15 years!) which should elevated CK. I think it’s a viralmyositis because I had 2 patients in the past with something similar. The rest of the day was very slow – no more patients. On Tuesday (8/6) I am actually sitting here writing this beside the pool. Apparently it’s Jamaican Independence Day and a holiday. We were told not to come in today and wouldn’t have a driver anyways.  Tomorrow I am scheduled to go to Annotto Bay Hospital, a little further to the east from Port Maria.
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