Last Minute Medical Mission Check List

Your trip is only a few weeks away and you start to ask the inevitable… What am I forgetting? You may start to write down small lists that include things like insect repellent, shot records, mosquito nets, scrubs, shoes for the shower, and so on. What about your medical equipment? Did you make a check list for your equipment?

As a medical equipment supplier, we receive last minute phone calls from missionaries located all over the world and some of the typical last-minute requests include:

• Equipment
• Airline limitations
• Supporting accessories for equipment that already shipped
• User and service manuals

These are only a few of the requests and inquiries we receive days and weeks before departure. To ensure you are as prepared as possible, we recommend the following checklist:

Last Minute Medical Mission Checklist

1. Confirm the facility has the correct equipment you will require to complete procedures on your medical mission.

Make sure the equipment is also in working order. For example, if you prefer a specific cautery unit for the procedures you will perform, you may want to consider purchasing the equipment beforehand.

Most individuals participating in a medical mission fund their own way, therefor the budget to purchase equipment is limited or non-existent. If this is the case, ask your supplier if they have a medical mission rental program. A rental program for short-term mission use will be a fraction of the cost.

2. Check with your airline to see what items you are allowed to pack in carry-on and/or checked luggage.

Confirm the equipment’s actual dimensions, including weight. Make sure to mark all bags with fragile stickers if equipment is packed inside your luggage.

Ask your airline carrier if overweight bags or additional bag fees are waived if you are serving with a medical mission/non-profit organization. Make sure to request a donation letter/form from your supplier that states the equipment is not for resale and will be used for procedures completed by a medical mission/non-profit organization.

3. Confirm what specific accessories you will require to complete your short-term mission.

The cost to purchase reusable medical accessories may be a more economical option versus disposable accessories over the life time of the equipment. Disposable accessories may be difficult to source locally and will create an ongoing cost.

Try to pack accessories in your luggage. This is a great way to know where they are and to save money on shipping charges. Double check if you have batteries and if the airline has restrictions regarding packing batteries inside your luggage. This may be a no-no.

4. Don’t forget your user manuals for any equipment that you will be taking with your and/or using during your short-term mission.

Remember to bring printed copies if possible and may email yourself a copy beforehand and save on your laptop.

Majority of user manuals are on CDs. This is a great place to inventory manuals, however if your battery dies on your laptop or if you don’t have somewhere to open the file on the CD, you will be without the manual. Manuals are always a great gift to present to local staff, specifically service manuals. Manuals come in handy and are not always readily available.

Visit avantehs.com/global-outreach for current equipment information, client case studies, and more.