Behind the Blood Pressure Cuff: Stories from Triage in Los Pilares

Today, we worked in the community of Los Pilares. I was assigned to work in triage - taking vitals and helping direct the patients to their next destination. While our tasks were to take blood pressures, measure height and weights - it became very obvious to me that these people, this community, they are more than the number; they each have a story to tell, and different sets of circumstances that shaped their current state of health. 

One of the biggest health disparities that I observed during this clinic day was the limited access to healthcare that the community experiences. We were told by more than one person, that they rarely have the opportunity to see a doctor, unless a clinic like Global Brigades comes to their community. Many of these people are living with different chronic diseases, such as hypertension and joint pain, for months or years without any treatment or pain relief. Back home, in the United States, you can have you blood pressure checked at your doctor's office frequently, at a pharmacy, and even at home with your own machine. We can then obtain medication to help with this, if needed. Here, this visit from Global Brigades may be the first, or only, time that these patients find out that their blood pressure is dangerously high. 

While we did bring quite a bit of medication with us, to the clinic, the providers had to be strategic with what they were giving to the patients. They had to consider exactly which medications we had, how much they could give to a single patient, and whether or not that would be realistically sustainable for the patients after the brigade leaves. This really made me realize that while healthcare is about understanding how to treat patients, it also involves adapting treatment/care to what is accessible and sustainable to the patient, in their environment - meeting them where they are. 

Beginning this trip, I whole-heartedly believed that the biggest challenge was going to be the language barrier. While my Spanish was not great, some of the times, the patients were so kind and patient to me. Even when I could not communicate effectively, verbally, they shared a sense of trust or cooperation. There were a few different times during an encounter, that another patient could see that I was having trouble communicating, and they would tell the patient what I was trying to say, based off my hand gestures. Having compassion sometimes can communicate better then spoken words. 

While working in triage, and getting to come into contact with every single patient that came to the clinic that day, it really helped me understand global health in a very powerful way. This isn't just about traveling somewhere new, and simply providing care. It's about recognizing the social/economic/structural factors that shape the healthcare and outcomes for these patients. Their access to clean water, their access to transportation, their access to education, and even a stable family income (with minimum wage being $5/day) all influence their ability to receive the healthcare they need to stay health. Seeing these realities up close and personal really showed me that inequalities in healthcare are not just something you hear about - they really are lived experiences for these people. 

Even those the people in this communities face many healthcare disparities, they still show great strength as a community. They all showed up with an immense amount of patience, gratitude and smiles. Some of these families waited for multiple hours, supported one another, and watched children who weren't theirs. The sense of community was so strong, like nothing I have ever seen before, and was such a deeply moving thing to be witness to!

After we were done in triage, I was able to go outside and play with the children while they were waiting. We got the sidewalk chalk out and colored all over the front patio at the school. One little girl in particular was stuck to my side. She tried to draw and color everything that I did, and wanted me to help her with bubbles. She was so sweet! Another little girl used the chalk to draw hopscotch! Myself and four or five of the other children were all taking turns - it made me feel like a kid again, even just for a moment. Their giggles were the best sound! 

Today, I am grateful for so many things. First off, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from this community - and this experience. I am grateful that these patients have trusted us enough to care for them, despite not knowing us. I am grateful for the team of providers (two doctors, a dentist and pharmacist), the fellow students who are here with me, and the volunteers with Global Brigades who work together to help make this mission possible. I am also grateful for this overwhelmingly beautiful reminder that nursing is not just about treating a patients symptoms or disease, it is about listening to, respecting, and meeting people where they are. 

Working in triage today taught me that sometimes the most meaningful part of healthcare is not just the treatment itself - but the human connection that comes before it. 

Stay tuned... 🌎