Navy Nurse answers call
15 Jun 2010
Lieutenant Deirdre Smith has left the Navy ward at St Vincent's behind for a 69 000 tonne floating hospital, United States Navy Ship (USNS) Mercy as part of Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10). Working as a Reservist at the Navy Ward at St Vincent's Hospital twice a week LEUT Smith answered the call to participate in the humanitarian assistance mission in South East Asia visiting Vietnam and Cambodia.
Her role onboard is vastly different to the role she performs at the Navy ward, and onboard HMA Ships Kanimbla and Manoora as a member of the Primary Casualty Reception Facility. The challenges though will be met with measurable rewards.
"Onboard Mercy I am a scrub nurse as well as the Surgical Workload manager, essentially it is my job to track every single operation conducted onboard Mercy in Vietnam and Cambodia," said LEUT Smith.
This is no mean feat with 11 operating theatres and a team of 131 medical personnel made up of specialist surgeons, nurses and technicians drawn from the U.S. military, U.S. Public Health Service, partner nation militaries and non-government organisations.
"I have been monitoring all of the surgery hours, costs involved and ensuring Command is kept informed of the mission's progress. I also get to work in the theatres as I do in the PCRF," said LEUT Smith.
So far Mercy has conducted 132 surgeries onboard including 49 cataracts, 15 cleft lip repairs, and many hernia repairs, said Commander Trent Douglas, United States Navy, Director of Surgical Services for PP10.
“The surgeons, nurses, and technicians who work in the operating suites are changing lives for the better on a daily basis. Each surgery helps a patient remain a viable and productive member of society and gives many the chance to lead a longer and healthier life,” said CMDR Douglas.
LEUT Smith is pleased to be making a difference and is looking forward to being able to quantify her contribution.
"At the end of our time in Cambodia I will know exactly how many hours and at what cost Pacific Partnership 2010 has helped improve the lives of the locals in both countries," said LEUT Smith.
That, and the smiles on her patients’ faces, is enough reward indeed.
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