Conference
CONNECTions 
The Official Journal of The 
13TH CONGRESS OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL
CARE MEDICINE
Isabelita C Rogado, MAN
The theme, ‘Mutual understanding and development in WPACCM’ was chosen for the 13th Congress of the Western Pacific Association of Critical Care Medicine (WPACCM), which was held in Seoul, Korea, from 10-13 June 2004.
The congress provided a strong scientific content covering difficult
subjects that are commonly met in daily critical care practice. ‘Management
guidelines of sepsis in Asian countries’ was discussed during the
Asia Pacific Consensus Conference on Critical Care Medicine. The pre-congress
symposium highlighted ventilator strategies in patients with various conditions
of respiratory failure. There were plenary sessions, various symposia,
case discussions, pro/con debates and workshops that covered hot and current
issues in critical care. In addition to emphasising clinical practice,
the congress also shed light on basic sciences.
The nursing sessions dealt with topics such as risk management in the
critical care environment; invisible excellence: recognising and promoting
the value of critical care nursing; critical care nursing practice
and education in Japan, Asia Pacific Federation of Critical Care Nurses;
development
of critical care nurses specialist in Korea; advanced practice nurses
in critical care; and neonatal nurse practitioner’s role and application.
The invited nursing speakers were Prof Gerald F William from Australia, Chair of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses; Maurene Harvey, Past-President of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (USA); Isabelita C Rogado, Secretary of the WFCCN (Philippines); Yuko Ikematsu from Japan; Kyung Ja Song from Seoul University Hospital (Korea); Dong Oak Kim, Daejeon University (Korea); and Yong Ae Cho, Samsung University (Korea).
From left: A Korean delegate, Yuko Ikematsu (Japan), Yong Ae Cho (Korea), Kyung Ja Song (Korea),
Maurene Harvey (USA), Gerald Williams (Australia), Belle Rogado (Philippines),
Debbie Kim (Korea) and Tina Kendrick (Australia).Aside from the insightful and informative scientific programmes, the organisers prepared exciting social events. The welcome reception treated the invited speakers and their companions to a delightful evening with cocktails and a cultural presentation of Korean music. The gala night was held on a cruise boat on the Hangang River, with a sumptuous dinner buffet of Korean specialities. The highlight of the evening was a magnificent view of the sunset and night skyline of the capital city Seoul.
Through the leadership of Sung Soo Park, MD, and Shin Ok Koh, MD, the organisers provided an excellent programme with marvellous entertainment and authentic Korean experiences, making this congress a truly international festival for co-operative effort and friendship.
