Physical Health Venezuela Project #57938

The value of a breath

by Friends of the Children of Venezuela

Project Report | Jan 10, 2024
Project Report January 2024

By Maria Polanco | Project Leader

The "The Value of a Breath" project at Hospital JorgeLizarraga has experienced an exceptionally successful quarter, marking a significant milestone in pediatric care. Thanks to the implementation of donated equipment, the hospital has managed to attend to an average of 10 patients per day (average) during the last quarter. This effort has allowed for timely identification and dismissal of diseases related to pulmonary conditions in children, resulting in successful cure rates exceeding 90%.

Key Achievements:

Daily Care for 10 Patients: The project has ensured daily care for 10 patients, demonstrating efficient resource management and an improved capacity to respond to community needs.

Donated Equipment: The generosity of donors has been crucial to the project's success. Donated equipment has significantly enhanced the hospital's ability to diagnose and treat pulmonary diseases in children.

Early Disease Screening: The implementation of this equipment has enabled early identification and timely dismissal of diseases related to pulmonary conditions, proving crucial for prompt and effective treatment.

Cure Rates Surpassing 90%: Thanks to early detection and appropriate treatment, the hospital has achieved cure rates exceeding 90%, providing a positive and encouraging outcome for pediatric patients and their families.

Positive Impact on the Community: The "The Value of a Breath" project has not only benefited directly attended patients but has also had a positive impact on the overall community by improving the health and well-being of children.

Challenges and Solutions:

Resource Management: Despite the growing demand for services, efficient resource management has been key to maintaining the quality of care. Strategies have been implemented to maximize the use of donated equipment.

Staff Training: Ongoing staff training has been essential to ensure optimal use of equipment and accurate interpretation of results, thereby improving the quality of care provided.

Next Steps:

Project Expansion: Consider the possibility of expanding the "The Value of a Breath" project to reach more patients and underserved communities.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Explore opportunities to establish collaborations and partnerships that can further strengthen the positive impact of the project.

The "The Value of a Breath" project demonstrates the significant impact that effective management and community generosity can have on pediatric health. With ongoing commitment, this project has the potential to continue making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

Links:

http://www.childrenvenezuela.org

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Sep 7, 2023
Project Report Sept23

By Maria Polanco | Project Leader

The Pediatric Pulmonary Function Unit within the Pulmonology department is equipped with a dedicated physical space furnished with a Resmon Pro oscillometer, a state-of-the-art Spiroscout spirometer that meets the criteria set by the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society from 2019, a conventional Medgraphs spirometer, and a high-precision Nonin pulse oximeter.

During the first two quarters, a total of 356 patients have been assessed for spirometry.

Reason for Spirometry Consultation. January-August 2023

Condition: Asthma #130 (36.51%)

Condition: Complicated Pneumonia #78 (21.91%)

Condition: Preoperative Evaluation for Renal Pathology #12 (3.37%)

Condition: Preoperative Evaluation for Congenital Malformations #32 (8.98%)

Condition: Preoperative Evaluation for Oncological Processes #8 (2.24%)

Condition: Post-COVID-19 Restrictive Processes #26 (7.30%)

Condition: Cystic Fibrosis #72 (20.22%)

TOTAL #356 (100%)

In the case of patients under 5 years of age and patients experiencing difficulty in performing spirometry with suspected airway resistance, a total of 43 oscillometries were conducted

Reason for Oscillometry Consultation. January-August 2023

Condition: Bronchial Obstructive Syndromes Under Evaluation #19 (44.18%)
Condition: Asthma #12 (27.90%)
Condition: Cystic Fibrosis #8 (18.70%)
Condition: Preoperative Evaluation for Renal Processes #4 (9.40%)

Total #43 (100%)

Pulse oximetry measurements were performed on a total of 310 hospitalized and outpatient patients with different medical conditions. The breakdown of patients evaluated is described next.

Reason for Pulse Oximetry Measurement. January-August 2023

Condition: Severe Pneumonia #12 (3.89%)
Condition: Complicated Pneumonia #35 (11.29%)
Condition: Uncomplicated Pneumonia #40 (12.91%)
Condition: Obstructive Respiratory Conditions #74 (23.81%)
Condition: COVID-19 #26 (8.39%)
Condition: Congenital Malformations #32 (10.34%)
Condition: Cystic Fibrosis #35 (11.29%)
Condition: Preoperative Assessments #56 (18.08%)

TOTAL #310 (100%)

The completion of all these studies has allowed:

a) Timely diagnosis and, therefore, the initiation of effective treatment in obstructive and restrictive airway conditions (such as asthma, neuromuscular diseases, and cystic fibrosis).

b) Expedited surgical interventions for patients with various medical conditions through timely preoperative assessments (including renal procedures like hemodialysis and kidney transplants, oncological procedures such as bone marrow transplants and tumor resections, and corrective surgeries for congenital malformations such as maxillofacial deformities, pulmonary cysts, rib and spine pathologies).

c) Detection of post-infectious sequelae, including post-pneumonia restrictive processes, pleural effusions, and post-COVID-19 infections.

d) Training of postgraduate students in Pediatric Pulmonology in the administration of Pulmonary Function Tests.

We extend our gratitude to the Foundation Friends of the Hospital and the Friends of Children of Venezuela Foundation, who, through the "El Valor de un Respiro" project, have made it possible to enhance the quality of care for our children in the state of Carabobo by providing equipment. Our mission remains incomplete, and we aim to acquire exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) measurement equipment and ultrasound studies to further enhance and optimize these diagnostic tests.

Dr. Jacqueline Parra
Pediatric Pulmonologist
Adjunct to the Pediatric Pulmonology Service
Dr. Enrique Tejera Hospital City

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May 10, 2023
Project Report May 2023

By Maria Fernanda Polanco | Project Leader

The Pulmonary Function Laboratory at the Dr. Jorge Lizarraga Children's Hospital in Venezuela arises from the need to evaluate the respiratory function of patients, which can help in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases such as asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis and sleep apnea, among others.

At the beginning of the project, we only had a working area in the Hospital designated for this laboratory, without equipment or furniture, with only the willingness of specialized doctors and nurses. Today, 6 months after starting the fundraising campaign, we can count on the following achievements:

1. The necessary basic furniture, a bed for patient evaluation, 2 overhead shelves for placing consumables, 2 tables with their chairs, and a computer.

2. A conventional Medgraphs spirometer with a minimum of replacement expiratory filtered mouthpieces.

3. A high precision Spiroscout spirometer that does not require calibration with a minimum of consumables such as spirette mouthpieces.

4. A Nonin Pulse Oximeter for measurement of oxygen diffusion.

5. MDI connectors for patients undergoing bronchoscopy (package of 100 units).

6. An oscillometer, measures the mechanical properties of the lungs and airways, by means of small pressure stimuli.

7. An Ultrasound, which helps diagnose the causes of pain, swelling, and infection in the lungs. The Ultrasound is safe, non-invasive, and does not use radiation, it is ideal for pediatric patients. This procedure requires no preparation.

This Pulmonary Function Laboratory, now equipped thanks to the "Giving Tuesday" platform, is so far able to care for an average of 120 children a month with respiratory conditions, which means that during the first year we expect to care for 1,440 cases. This has important benefits for health care, capacity, cost, patient satisfaction and well-being through :

1.- Improving medical care: By having the necessary equipment to evaluate children, more accurate diagnoses can be made and more effective treatments can be provided. This leads to an improvement in the quality of medical care provided and, therefore, to better health and recovery of the patient.

2.- Increasing care capacity: By having this amount of equipment necessary for a pulmonary function laboratory, wait lists to receive medical care can be reduced, which can be especially important in the case of serious or chronic diseases. .

3.- Reducing the cost of care: By providing more accurate diagnoses, costs related to medical care can be reduced such as the need for repeat tests or treatments that do not work.

4.- Improving patient satisfaction: By receiving higher quality medical care, patients can feel more satisfied with the service provided and have a better experience in the hospital.

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