Travel Clinic Management by Dr. Paul Assad

Travel Clinic Management

Equipment
Supplies and disposables
Resources for laboratory testing
Documentation and record keeping (e.g. vaccination certificate requirements, reporting of adverse events)
Infection control procedures
Management of medical emergencies

Equipment

refrigerator and freezer which comply with standards for storage of immunization products (e.g. temperature monitor, alarm)see vaccine handling outline.
Common area for refrigerator- medical and laboratory equipment- counter top for vaccine preparation.
Scales ( adult – pediatric)
telecommunications facilities (e.g. telephone, voice mail. facsimile, Internet accesses, bank machine) – access to emergency services.
Exam table or padded bench for patients you may faint.
Disinfectant spray for surfaces
Covered waste containers
Sphygmomanometer-stereoscope- examination instrumentation- thermometer.
Examination light

Supplies and disposables

those required to provide vaccination ( gloves- syringes-needles-alcohol swabs-cotton- tape) including appropriate disposal equipment ( Sharps container)
resuscitation equipment standard for an office or clinic (e.g. adrenaline, antihistamines-oxygen-airways-pocket masks)

Medical records - Documentation - Charts- Consent-Forms

maintenance of a patient medical record standard for an office or clinic
completion of the individual patient's vaccination record or booklet
Computerized patient recall systems to maximize completion of vaccine series.
Billing software
Patient call record
Immunization Stamps: Health Canada (Yellow fever) - Clinic address- “not medically indicated” – Immunization – Follow up before trip – Follow up after trip
Office stamps (Date – Copy- Paid –Faxed-etc…)
Informed, voluntary consent for vaccination, testing and treatment
Medical work-up chart - Preprinted prescription pads or stamp- Medical equipment and vaccine dispensation waiver form - Medical and vaccine history form
Adverse reaction forms
Positive TB skin testing reporting form.
Supply Order forms

Office facilities

waiting room/reception area and clinic rooms for immunization
room suitable for teaching/counseling clients ( rooms for small and large groups)
resources for teaching ( Reference manuals- pamphlets-handouts-booklets-Wall maps- Globe- Atlas video –CD-Rom (Atlas - Tropimed)– Internet based resources ( Shoreland products-Tropimed- LCDC-CDC-WHO - PROMED - PACNET) PowerPoint presentation projected on wall flat screen monitor or TV or projection screen + data projector.
resources for laboratory testing (internal or external) Laboratory requisition forms.
Retail supplies ( repellants-netting-purifiers-insecticides-sun blocker-travel kits-travel books)

Management of medical emergencies

· CPR resuscitation recurrent training for staff

· Crash cart-kit with appropriate equipment and medications immediately accessible.

· Rapid access to paramedic service 9-1-1

· Hospital phone numbers on emergency protocol

· Written emergency protocol posted at reception

Dr Paul Assad

REF:

1-CATMAT: Guidelines for the practice of travel medicine

2- Shoreland Clinic Guide 1999