by Nadine Salmon, RN, BSN, Clinical Content Specialist, AMN Healthcare
On January 12th, 2010, a 7.0 quake struck Haiti, causing widespread death and destruction. As relief efforts were underway, a powerful aftershock struck the already-traumatized country and sent terrified survivors and volunteers fleeing to the streets.
Americans responded with compassion and zest. Personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services treated over 1800 patients. US troops landed in Haiti recently with food and supplies. The American Red Cross reported on its Twitter page that its $10 text for Haiti donation program has raised over $21 million.
This natural disaster in Haiti has brought up the question of the role of the pharmacist during times of catastrophes. In emergency settings where critically injured are bleeding, burning or trapped under rubble, pharmacists are not usually found in the trenches administering emergency care. Pharmacists are often forgotten in the glaring aftermath of a natural disaster, yet they have a vital role to play during these times.
According to the American Pharmacists Association, over 700 pharmacists volunteered to help with the relief efforts in Haiti. So many pharmacists reached out to assist in Haiti that the APhA had to ask pharmacists to stop volunteering until further notice.
Pharmaceutical companies have donated $20 million in medicines, medical supplies and cash. Pharmaceutical companies have a civic responsibility to provide health care professionals with the tools they need to help save lives, and have stepped up to the plate in offering assistance to the victims in Haiti.
On a more personal level, pharmacists can contribute to the disaster relief in many different ways. By working along side doctors and nurses, pharmacists can increase the team efficiency to treat a larger number of people. Pharmacists can select, dispense and counsel on medications, recommend non-pharmaceutical remedies, provide first aid, develop patient profiles and monitor drug therapies and outcomes.
During disaster relief, all healthcare professionals must work together as an interdisciplinary team to provide the greatest and best amount of care to as many survivors as possible, in the shortest amount of time.
If you are interested in registering your willingness to volunteer in Haiti, you can visit the Center for International Disaster Information at: http://www.cidi.org/reg_off.htm.
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