Day 12: Our last day at Roosevelt

We have officially finished our last day at Roosevelt Hospital. After 10 full days working at the hospital our work for this rotation is complete. Our final day  in the hospital was just as full as any of the others, but in a different way.

The rows of hemodialysis machines found in the basement

            Our day started in the ICU organizing the equipment and sorting it into different rooms based on its final condition. Shortly after we finished up, Dr. Barnoya stopped by to take us on a tour of a part of the hospital we still hadn’t seen (and that I didn’t have the opportunity to visit last summer either). We first went into the basement where we ran into a hallway that was entirely filled with hemodialysis machines, none of which were in working condition. The current hemodialysis unit is one room and can only treat  up to 10 patients a day despite the surprisingly large amount of patient who come to Roosevelt requiring this treatment.  During out equipment inventory, the nurses working in this unit were especially expressive and insistent that they had absolutely no way of treating all their patients as a result of their lack of equipment and everyday we were asked at least once by different staff whether we were capable of repairing hemodialysis machines. Each day we regrettably responded the same way, admitting that these machines are truly out of our scope. Knowing just how desperate the need is for these machines made seeing this collection of about 15 hemodialysis machines even more frustrating. It was clear from the amount of dust that had accumulated that these machines haven’t been touched for some time.

Some insight into the complexity of a hemodialysis machine

            Down the hall from this makeshift warehouse was La Unidad de Oftalmología. Barnoya explained that this ophthalmology unit is separate from Roosevelt and therefore receives it’s own funding. Unlike Roosevelt, this unit has the ability to control exactly where to designate their funding and also has a technical maintenance staff trained to repair ophthalmology equipment. Regardless of these extra funds the unit still has equipment problems and on our tour we were sown a number of machines, chairs and lights that needed attention. This morning I received a list from the unit detailing exactly what their needs are. This list is indicative of the level of organization and proactive nature seen at the unit. It would be  more difficult, or at least require a lot more time and energy to receive the same kind of lists from Roosevelt.

            Directly after our tour, a nurse showed up to lead us to the auditorium for a “public address.” We truly weren’t sure what this would entail and were definitely surprised when she lead us into an auditorium full of residents.  We were sent to the very front where Dr. Mejia was leading a lecture. He graciously introduced us all, described our work and thanked us in front of all of the residents. Despite being embarrassed it was great knowing our work was being recognized and it will benefit us in the future to have face recognition in the hospital. 

Gladys and nurses from the Hemodialysis unit

          We ended the “address” with a final donation of two additional pulse oximeters we had purchased through fundraising and a large bag of single-use electrodes. With some final handshakes and of course a couple pictures we returned to the ICU to be met with another surprise. We have only met one other volunteer at Roosevelt. Her name is Gladys and she works in the Hemodialysis unit – we mentioned our first meeting with her in a previous post. Gladys had made us 2 homemade apple tarts to thank us for our work and celebrate the past two weeks. During the half hour or so before she had to rush back to work we all sat around the new ICU. Different nurses stopped by and, as we handed out WashU apparel, letters, translated manuals and summaries of our work we received more thanks and well wishes than I could ever have imagined. The sentiments and thanks of the medical professionals at Roosevelt were heartfelt and will always serve as a reminder of why this work is important and worthwhile. I have never felt more welcomed or appreciated as I did by the staff at Roosevelt. They truly are the ones to thank. These nurses, therapists, residents and doctors work day in and day out in extremely difficult conditions, without proper rest or resources. They are truly lifesavers and heroes. It is an honor to work with them and I will continue to work to ensure WUGI is doing everything it can to continue to support and help the staff take care of Roosevelt Hospital and the countless patients that visit daily.

Using one of our donated pulse oximeters outside of the ER