QWERTY

Today was a very long day. We've spent the last week slowly introducing the system to the staff. There are so many patients everyday, incorporating a new system on top of the already twelve hour day is quite a challenge. Treatment is slow with only three nurses treating 50-70 patients a day, so you can imagine how integrating this system would slow things down even more. Nonetheless, the staff is incredible. Everyone seems really enthusiastic about using the system.

The two most exciting aspects of the system (it's all exciting) but most noticeable to me today is how the system eliminates the redundant and time consuming task of entering all the patient information into a spreadsheet. Phil created an automatic tally system for all daily and monthly reports so now all John has to do is click print!


The system also allows Resty, the pharmacist on staff, to start filling a patient's prescription before the patient is out of the exam room. All she has to do is look up the med queue, and by the time the patient comes to her she is just about finished dispensing the medication. I can't stress enough how these details effect the overall efficiency of the clinic. Many patients wait all day. It's not your typical 20 minute wait.

The staff is extremely dedicated to the patients. Rosie and Tushabi have been working hard and are eager to start using the system. Rosie was thrilled that she will now be able to look up a patient's history. I was working in parallel with Rosie yesterday (typing the info she was writing in the notebook) but Rosie wanted to jump right in and start using the system. Rita, another clinician at Engeye is very good at navigating the system.

I think the biggest challenge in switching to a computerized system is the typing aspect of the program. Otherwise, Philip has created a straight forward system and the staff seems to be able to navigate it very well. As for the typing, practice makes perfect.

This morning before the clinic opened, John Kalule, the co-founder who manages the clinic went around entering all of the patient's into the database. So, by the time the clinicians started the visit the system displayed the patients' charts. This allowed the clinicians to start the exam right away without having to write down the patient name, age, or village. The clinician could also check the reason for the visit before the patient entered the room.

A bit of a side note: John is an all out wonderful man. Since working with him it is obvious that he cares deeply about all the patients. He makes all the patients laugh and, of course, the staff.

As for the four of us, we are all doing well. We are tired as is the entire staff but we are all making a lot of progress. I am proud to be a part of this effort.
Oh yes, one last side note: our friend Dora likes using my camera phone to take pictures and she seems to have some natural talent! Pictures to follow!

We love you all

Pray if you pray

Wish if you wish

or eat pasta for us

either way

love, us