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Patients
come to the Program
from every region
of Peru.
They
are referred
by
missionaries
working
in
Peru,
or local doctors.
Steps
one
through
seven
lead
you
through
the
surgical
process
that
occurs
after
the
patient
arrives
at
the
hospital
with
the
probable
diagnosis
of
surgical
heart
disease. The
diagnosis
can
come
after
a
preliminary
visit
with
the
cardiologists
at
Dos
de
Mayo,
or
from
another
hospital
in
Lima. The
entire process
from start
to finish
can
take
between one and
three months,
depending on
the
severity,
and urgency of
the surgery.
Step
1:
The
patient
diagnosed
with
surgical
heart
disease
arrives
at
the
Program
for
a
preliminary
appointment.
The
Director
and/or
his
assistants
examine
the
patient,
and
order
the
necessary
tests
and
analyses.
Step
2: The
patient
returns
to
get
test
results,
and
to
discuss
the type of surgery, risks and benefits of the
operation, and requirements from the patient's side.
If he is able, the patient pays for the basic medicines,
hospitalization, lab work-up and other special procedures.
For the truly indigent patients the program will pay
for these services.
Step
3: The patient
is sent to the
Coordinator for
an
interview,
where they
receive
additional
information
about
the materials,
supplies
and
medicines
required
for
their
particular
operation,
and
the
date
of
surgery.
Two
to
four
blood
donors
may
be
needed,
depending
on
the
type
of
surgery.
The
Program
Coordinator
evaluates
the
socioeconomic condition
of the
patient,
and aids them in finding
creative ways to
raise
funds
for their
surgery.
Step
4: The
day
before,
or
the
same
day
of
surgery,
the
blood donors,
who have been checked and matched
to the patient, come
to give
their
donations.
Step
5: The
patient
is
admitted
to
the
hospital
the
day before
surgery,
bringing with
them the
medications and supplies
that they
have purchased;
if any.
Step
6: The patient
is able to leave
the hospital
7-12 days
after
a successful surgery.
Step
7: The
patient
is
followed
up
as
an
outpatient
in
the
cardiothoracic surgery
office. After 2-3 months they
are
returned to the referring physician.
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