On going education programs at Hospitalito Atitlán
Hospital Atitlán provides a wide-range of medical education for the staff and community.
Education for Healthcare Providers
Biomedical Waste Handling Training
Every year, the staff receives training on the management of biomedical hazardous waste.
CME Credits for Guatemalan Medical Personnel
Guatemalan medical personnel receive regular training from government educators on updates in immunization and other important topics.
CPR Training
Hospital emergency room doctors and paramedics provide training in CPR for staff and local rescue company members.
Diabetes Training for Healthcare Workers
This six-year project, funded by the World Diabetes Fund, is training local healthcare workers in the prevention and management of Type II diabetes. It has also strengthened 22 clinics throughout the department of Sololá to provide regular blood sugar monitoring for local residents with the disease.
Hospital Engineering Training
Hospital maintenance staff receives training in the management of the oxygen system, generator, water filtration system, battery backup power, solar water heaters and solar panels for electricity and medical equipment.
Lectures by Scholarship Recipients
Our scholarship recipients are required to present talks to staff on current medical trends in Guatemala and other topics of importance.
Medical Student Presentations
Each morning, staff meets to discuss patient issues. The session includes a short lecture by a fourth year medical student on the topic of his/her choice.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Esther Han began a project in 2018 “Bringing Minimally Invasive Surgery to Rural Guatemala,” a collaboration between Hospitalito Atitlán and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Nursing Education
The hospital nursing coordinator and volunteer nurse educators build the capacity of our nursing staff through presentations at staff meetings.
Nursing Student Practicum
During a month-long volunteer stint, nursing students work side-by-side with staff nurses and physicians to get practical hands-on experience.
Staff education
Staff receive training in management of biomedical waste, housekeeping and firefighting.
Traditional Midwife Training
Beginning in 2005, the hospital became involved in monthly training of 34 local traditional midwives as required by the government health department. HA brings in specialists to lead trainings including obstetricians, neonatal resuscitation specialists, professional midwives, nutritionists, and others.
Education for Patients and the Community
Dental Hygiene Videos
Spanish language videos on dental hygiene for children and adults are screened in the hospital waiting room.
Inhaler Education Video
The University of Pennsylvania has created a Tz’utujil language video instructing patients with respiratory disease on how to use a steroid inhaler.
Maternal/Infant Health Classes
The hospital offers monthly classes for mothers participating in its Maternal Infant Sponsorship program.
Topics include:
Pregnancy
- Nutrition
- Danger signs
- Labor and delivery
- When to go to the hospital
Childcare
- The right time to take a baby to the doctor
- A baby’s first food
- Early childhood stimulation
- Important of books in the home
- Appropriate topics for growing children
One-on-one Health Education
Hospital doctors take time during consultations to help patients understand and manage their illnesses.