An excellent example is capital equipment, supplies and training with an autologous transfusion device. This technique can be learned safely within a short period of time. Considering the Haitian population has a very high AIDS and hepatitis infection rate, autotransfusion is a critically important technique to the viability of a hospital attempting to bring safe surgical care to the Haitian patient. Obviously cardiopulmonary bypass services are limited to the direct supervision of a formally trained professional, but after the initiation of a base program at an institution, periodic surgical schedules coinciding with visits by a team is a possibility. Ancillary on the job training of local medical staff can take place at this time, and they are avid learners.
Donations are a valuable start.
Capital equipment and sterile supplies are always needed, and tax deductible. Once a surgical program is established in a country, supplies and equipment are left at the hospital to facilitate later repeat missions. The ultimate donation is your time, especially to attend a mission. Not for the faint of heart or physical disposition, a CardioStart mission is hard work and emotionally intense, even theoretically perilous. However, the results of a successful trip, knowing in your heart that you helped those in despair, is an indescribable feeling.