ETHIOPIA: January 2019

Preliminary Visit Goals

Multi-departmental Needs Assesment Procedure

• Interview nurses and doctors in multiple departments such as OR, ICU, Neurology, Oncology, Pediatrics and ER

Biomedical Engineering Department Collaboration

• Evaluation of Broken Equipment: Missing Parts Inventory, Infusion Pumps, Patient Monitors, Centrifuges, Suction Pumps

• Exchange of Knowledge: Teach a technology that enables technicians and students to develop instrumentation

Highlight of Needs Assessment

• Missing Components: Donated equipment often lacks necessary accessories and user/service manuals (Ex. Patient Monitors)

• Expensive Parts: Limited resources to replace expensive parts resulting in accumulation of unused medical equipment (Ex. Surgical Lamp Bulbs)

• Limited Equipment Calibration: Equipment may not be calibrated often enough to allow for safe use (Ex. Anesthesia) 

• Inadequate Access to Information: Poor access to internet produces significant barriers to medical equipment information (Ex. Manuals)

Potential Future Projects:

• Work with ISO-ICP and Biomedical Department at Saint Paul’s to develop:
  •Sustainable, Low Cost LED Surgical Lamp
  •Portable Pulse Oximeter Kits
  •Patient Monitors with Arduino

• Joint Engineering Design Classes with NU and Saint Paul’s