CCH Trip April 25-May 2 Ortho

Note by Amy MacNeil~~

Please give a narrative description of your trip include in it how many members accompanied you on this trip; what was the purpose/ goals of your trip? What was accomplished, what may need to be done ?

Our team was composed of one orthopedic surgeon, three physical therapists, one med student and one HS student who will be studying pre-med next year at college and myself, a CCH staff member. The goal of the trip was to treat the orthopedic cases which HBP had prescreened as well as any other cases that came in during our visit.

We brought equipment and supplies for orthopedic surgery including a total hip.

A total hip replacement was done, as well as surgery to repair fractured leg on an 11 year old boy, a "floating knee" (break above and below the knee) on a young woman and one other orthopedic surgery case.

The Physical therapists treated several patients with exercises to improve movement of joints with longstanding injuries and conditions and taught the patients how to do the exercises at home and/or to use orthopedic devices to improve their conditions.

2. How did you travel to Pignon? Were there any problems with your flight and or arrangement? Do you have any suggestions to make this an easier process?

The team travel to Pignon was by American to Miami and then on to PAP the next day. We took MAF from PAP to Pignon and back. The trip was completely uneventful and without difficulty in both directions. We carried in 11 bags mostly with orthopedic trays for surgery and brought back 8. All were cleared through customs easily and without duty.

3. What were your lodging arrangements while in Pignon?  Any suggestions? Recommendations? Did you have any problems? Do you have any hints or notes you want to pass on to other teams?

We stayed in the MN dorm. Everything went well. I would suggest at the next meeting of the partners that we all agree on a standard tip for the cooks. It is my understanding that various amounts are given which may create hard feelings or unmet expectations.