2016 Mission to Kien Giang General Hospital

Impact Health Vietnam returned to Rach Gia City for a 2-week mission to Kien Giang General Hospital (KGGH). IHVN brought 23 volunteers on this mission, including doctors, nurses, device specialists, Cath lab technician, echocardiography technicians, technical and logistic support personnel and interpreters

Interventional cardiology and Electrophysiology: In addition to the expertise of 3 IHVN cardiologists, the mission team brought a large number of donated supplies and medications for the treatment of patients in need. Through the generous donation of Medtronic and Biotronic, IHVN was able to provide 14 Pacemakers to qualified patients during our mission. IHVN Cath Lab and CCU nurses conducted mini lectures, bedside training and demonstrations for the local staff. They also provided patient support and education to many patients during recovery and prior to their discharge from the hospital.

Guidelines for standards of care for CCU patients were also provided by our team.

Echocardiography: IHVN brought three experienced Cardiac Sonographers on this mission. They worked with the local team on how to perform emergency echocardiography, ICU scan protocols, and optimization of machine settings to acquire better images. The IHVN team assisted with the set up and design of a stress Echo room for KGGH and performed the first stress echo in the region. Our team also presented lectures on ultrasound physics and machine optimization and stress echo-physiology.

CAN THO

During our 2016 mission, IHVN’s cardiology team also spent a week at the Can Tho hospital.

Interventional cardiology: IHVN brought an interventional cardiology team to Can Tho to work collaboratively with the local team in the cath lab and provide consultation for selected patients. Our team of experienced cardiologists also provided lectures on coronary artery diseases and preventive cardiology for the local team. IHVN brought many donated medications for use in Cath Lab. Donated durg eluting stents were also provided to patients on a case per case basis as recommended by the chief of Cath Lab. 5 IV pumps were also donated to Cardiology Department at their request.

Echocardiography and vascular ultrasound:

IHVN’s echo training team presented lectures on cardiac and vascular ultrasound. Our cardiologists consulted with local cardiologists on clinical cases and assisted staff to perform echocardiograms on patients at the bedside.

IHVN’s team of ER doctors, EMT and nurses provided training in ACLS and CPR for local staff as well as doctors who travelled to Can Tho from hospitals throughout the district to take part in the training. Our team worked directly with patients to provide them with knowledge and guidance before and after their procedures.

IHVN missions would not be possible without the outstanding services of our interpreters and the selfless and dedicated support of our non-medical team members.

2016 Kien Giang and Can Tho Mission Team