MS4BCI

”Paradigms of innovation and efficiency, the surgeons use simple tools with contrastingly sophisticated techniques to transform disfigurement and infection into beauty.“

“Without access to luxuries of the modern American operating room and utilizing archaic equipment, the physicians manage impromptu solutions for any emergency that comes through the door. Though this is primarily a children’s burn center, children with a myriad of medical problems are are able to receive expert care here.”

“The anesthesiologist, without an electric heart monitor, emphasized to us the priceless value of the simple stethoscope for assessing heart rhythm and monitoring the patient’s status.”

“In contrast to the wealth of the United States, this third world country must consider not only sterility but also efficiency in their approach to patient care. This is a challenge they have overcome with grace: they take every step necessary to protect their patients from infections and at the same time are forced to rewash items such as bandages, cloths, and dressings in order to keep their costs low. Each room houses multiple sick children, all of whom share blankets, toys, and other personal items in an effort to utilize what little resources are available. However, in 15 years of treating children, the staff of the Viedma Burn Center has never lost a patient to infection, and this is truly a testament to the their ability to find a balance between safety and economy.”

“They keep the operating room stifling hot with portable heaters, and so the heat plus the uncomfortable nature of the procedure made it quite hard to endure, even as an observer.”

“Though the surgeon is doing everything in his power to help these children, it sometimes seems that he is fighting an uphill battle, as the influx of terribly injured children just doesn’t let up.”

“I do not think that there are any injuries worse than a burn. This morning, Monday, I think I found the second worst kind of injury: dog attacks. The untamed dogs in Bolivia run in small packs, many of them large, and their teeth are eye level to a child.”

“This place is really changing the way we look at the rest of the world and our lives at home.”