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Society of Critical Care provides training for local Pediatric healthcare providers

Society of Critical Care Medicine
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —The LBJ Tropical Medical Center (LBJTMC) has partnered with the Society of Critical Care Medicine to organize Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support (PFCCS) sessions at the hospital. These trainings are designed for local healthcare providers and aim to equip them with the necessary skills to identify critical illnesses and provide essential care for critically ill pediatric patients.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is the largest non-profit medical organization that promotes excellence and consistency in critical care practice. With members in more than 100 countries, SCCM is the only organization representing all of the professional components of the critical care team.

The LBJTMC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Akapusi Ledua, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership.

 “LBJTMC appreciates the collaboration with the Society of Critical Care Medicine, which aims to ensure that our local healthcare providers are equipped with the necessary expertise to deliver vital care for critically ill pediatric patients,” Dr. Ledua said.

“This training program is designed to align with our organization's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community. This training initiative is a testament to our dedication to ensuring the highest standards of care for our patients and the professional development of our healthcare providers,” said the CEO.

The LBJTMC Interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Maria Gayapa, has stressed the pivotal importance of the training program.

"I am truly grateful for the support and collaboration provided by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Dr. [Michael Ryan] Favazza in spearheading the implementation of this important initiative at our hospital. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our ability to deliver the highest healthcare quality to our community, and we are committed to continuing this important work."

Dr. Mike Favazza, a highly experienced physician who previously worked at the LBJ Medical Center, is currently heading the team from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) responsible for conducting the training session.

“As a pediatrician, I deeply understand the complexities of critical care for children. This course is going to make a significant impact on the care of critically ill children in American Samoa. This course, developed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals, including pediatric intensivists and providers, who may care for critically ill children from the early stages of their illness until they are stabilized and transferred to a critical care team.

“The main goal of this initiative is to uplift the standard of care provided to critically ill children in American Samoa by empowering healthcare providers with the necessary skills to identify and respond to critical illness in children promptly; this will undoubtedly lead to improvements in mortality and morbidity rates, ultimately increasing the chances of survival for critically ill children at LBJ Hospital and across the territory.”

Dr Favazza said it is uncommon to encounter a critically ill child in American Samoa, as there is a lack of pediatric physicians specialized in critical care. It is crucial for healthcare providers who come into contact with sick children to be able to identify their condition and respond effectively and promptly.

“Ten years ago, during my tenure at LBJ Hospital, I observed significant advancements in resources and services, which have continued to improve. Participants who completed the recent training program provided positive feedback, acknowledging its value in enhancing their ability to manage critically ill children, particularly in areas such as mechanical ventilation.”

Last week, over 30 healthcare providers underwent a comprehensive two-day training program.

Dr. Favazza, one of the key proponents of this initiative, has emphasized the importance of this mission and its positive impact on the healthcare landscape in American Samoa

(Source: LBJTMC press release)