Blog Full Left Sidebar

My last day at Port Maria is now finished…with a bang. As with most mornings, I sat on the wall of the little circle by the pathway leading to my villa until my driver arrived. As often is the case, I called around 8:10-8:15 to make sure someone is coming. We arrived shortly before 9 AM at Port Maria and I set out my supplies. I asked for more prescription paper and filled out a few in advance as Tuesdays tend to be busy. Patients began to trickle in, mostly referred from the nurse shortly thereafter then came in a flood by 11 AM — 37 of them! The number would have been 40, but 2 turned out to be adults and one disappeared before I got to her.

Once again, most of the dx for the day were tinea or URI. I also saw preauricular ear pits/neck pits in an infant — she is to see ENT in Bustamente, consider renal U/s as well. I also saw a few more such unusual cases. I had brought an apple, but never found time to eat it — I feel so sorry for those waiting. I finished up around 4 PM at which time my driver came to find me (usually I walk around the back to the administrative office to have someone arrange for a ride). Luckily, I had time (while I waited for him to drive to the gas station and return) for a few last photographs of the helpful office staff / nursing assistants and to say my good-byes to Dr. San San Win and a few other administrative staff. While this has definitely been my busiest site, I also felt very productive and helpful here!

This past weekend was amazing as my fiance flew in and we were able to enjoy many of the resort perks as well as some time together. Amongst many other activities, we climbed the waterfall at Dunn’s River Falls, took a trip on the glass bottom boat, and talked to the man selling shells. We also ate dinner at Eight Rivers/Bayside, both of which were excellent. I even managed to eat my entire meal at Bayside with chopsticks!

My Monday morning had a somewhat rocky start as the driver did not arrive until 9 AM. Then I received a phone call while at work that the resort thought I was leaving today and was looking for me. Oops, apparently my fiance’s departure date had accidentally been recorded as mine as well! That was quickly fixed and the remainder of my day at Port Maria ran smoothly. Themes for the day were tinea, URI, and gastroenteritis although I also consulted on two inpatients; one with seizures and hypotonia in great need of a Pediatric Neurologist and the other with marked lymphadenitis.

Things I learned today or along the way:
Jamaican ambulances are staffed by a driver, a nurse, and a porter. They have nebulizer machines, oxygen, and scissors amongst other things on board. The few available ambulances remain busy transporting patients from home to the hospital in addition to hospital-to-hospital transfers for tests including x-rays!
Few families have paracetamol (tylenol) at home.
When an x-ray is ordered outpatient, it is generally given to the patient. This means a patient sometimes appears in clinic with xray or labwork in hand. Dockets (charts) are kept intra-facility while the patient may go to many facilities, so you may not have the reason behind the testing available.