MEDICAL

 A typical medical/surgical mission with SOS consists of 15 operating room professionals. Typically included are 2 anesthesiologists, 2 surgeons, 3 perioperative nurses, 2 surgical technicians, 2 central sterile processors, 1 interpreter, and 3 ancillary helpers who run errands and transport patients to the site. All must be licensed in their field and be currently practicing.

Prior to the mission, a pre-trip is required to perform a needs assessment of the local hospital and operating room. The Needs Assessment is designed for the SOS team to gain information on patient surgical needs, tour operating rooms to assess the available equipment and supplies, meeting the local surgical staff, assessing their abilities, and to tour the local area in search of safe accommodations and restaurants for the SOS staff. Typically, SOS will partner with a local NGO for support on the ground to help with all logistics. 

We are always sure to provide what the local hospital asks for, not what we think they want. The Needs Assessment also allows us to discuss their objectives and expectations for the surgical mission and their participation.

After returning from the pre-trip, the SOS team plans beginning with selection of participants, and procure needed equipment and supplies for the specific mission. Depending on the needs, SOS may bring loaded containers filled with supplies to check on the aircraft. Each member carries their own back pack and they check 1-2 crates depending on airline baggage allowance. It should be noted that SOS does not pay for airfares, just in country expenses like buses, hotels and meals.

Upon arrival the SOS staff will tour the hospital and set up the operating room and other needed areas. A pre-meeting with the entire SOS staff and local staff will occur so we are all understand the common goal and review the records of the planned patients. Once the kickoff meeting is completed, the surgeons and operating team interviews each of the patients in private for in depth understanding of patient needs. These meetings typically require an interpreter. 

It is the policy of SOS medical/surgical missions to operate with professionalism, respecting the local culture, and act with integrity. Staff members keep within their scope of practice. Hospital standards for the United States are used in the local hospitals. Things we don’t do at our home operating room will not be done in another country.

SOS has performed over 20 medical/surgical missions in Central America and Mexico since 2009. We are an Arizona registered non-profit corporation with an IRS 501(c) 3 nonprofit status.