The work of the rehabilitation nurse after catastrophe: earthquake in Haiti

23^rd World Nursing and Healthcare Conference

July 10-12, 2017 Berlin, Germany

Rita Aquarone

University of Sao Paulo School of Nurse, Brazil

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

On January 12, 2010 the earth trembled. Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, has been reduced to rubble. About 220,500 people died and 500,000 were left homeless (1). Immediately, informal caregivers appeared people without basic training to act with the population, who call themselves nurses, rehabilitation technicians, rehabilitators. Rehabilitation, such as nursing care should be developed with precociousness, in this case at the scene of the tragedy. Many people with disabilities need rehabilitation especially in situations of natural disasters.The literature (1, 2) presents the work of nurses from different countries focused on wound care, emergency and surgical assistance in the event of catastrophes. This work presents a Brazilian experience with emphasis on catastrophe rehabilitation, through the training of informal rehabilitation agents in Haiti, and the discussion of the transcultural factors involved in the educational process of these human resources. The objective of this work is to report the experience of a rehabilitation nurse in the training of human resources in Haiti. Post-earthquake relief efforts have attracted a significant number of foreign health professionals, and at least 90% of the population has close access to health care (only 60% had access before the earthquake). The rehabilitation nurse has the technical and attitudinal competence, derived from his / her practice and academic practice, to implement quality assistance to people with physical disabilities, either in hospitalization units, outpatient clinics and at home. These characteristics make it eligible both for specialized assistance and for the conduct of educational programs aimed at empowering professionals and community agents.