MHKH 2/6/15 and GC 2/9/15 and 2/12/15

MHKH 2/6/15- Pharmacy Department

Responsibilities:

• Go to the Pharmacy and learn from a pharmacist.
• Followed a pharmacist around and learned different sections of medications.
• Had to help label and seal insulin pens.
• Had to help package some Ipratropium Bromide to send to other departments.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Where certain medications are located based on department and use.
• Certain medicines are marked with stickers to indicate their use and department.
• Learned how to identify the stickers.
• Learned how a pharmaceutical dispenser works.

Best Thing(s):

• Got to help around the pharmacy.
• Got to see different medications.
• Got a chance to get some questions answered.

Worst Thing(s):

• Things slowed down after a bit and there wasn't much to do.
• The first pharmacist I was with was rather unresponsive to me being there and asking questions.

Overall:

This week was pretty good, the rotation itself went smoothly and I got to learn some stuff while there.

Technology:

Some of the technology I observed in the pharmacy was a pyxis cube which dispenses the needed medications into a sealed tray and can be delivered afterwards. Another was a fridge that keeps certain medications cold so that their effectiveness doesn't ware off. They have a lot of computers and printers that receive orders and are used for charting  medications.

Diagnostic:

Some diagnostic procedures that the pharmacy department engages in is taking inventory of medications and filing them in the appropriate section. They also have to fill out orders and keep track of what comes in and goes out. They also check that orders are correct before sending them out.

Therapeutic:

The pharmacy provides medications that are used in the therapeutic treatment of a patient. They provide pain relievers that are self explanatory and are used on many departments. They also provide tranquilizers that will help keep a restless and aggravated patient calm.

Diseases/Disorders:

The pharmacy has a wide variety of medications for patients with different diseases and disorders. One of the most common orders received is for insulin which helps diabetics control their blood sugar. Another is anti-depressants for patients who suffer from depression. And another is nitroglycerin for heart problems.

Med Terms/Abbreviations:

Rx- this is a symbol for the Latin word recipe, which means to take. Ipratropium Bromide- a nasal decongestant that is used to relieve a runny nose. Albuterol-used to treat and decrease asthma and increase airway volume.

I. Environmental Assessment:

The pharmacy is a well sized and very clean. It's kind of quiet here all the time. It smells like Lysol and other nice smelling things. There are shelves stacked high with medications of all sorts, each put into a section that corresponds to it's use. Everyone here is hard at work but they all take some time to joke around and there is a feel of friendliness. Some of the technology used here is a fridge to keep medications like insulin cold, there is a pyxis cube to dispense medications to be sent to other floors, and a crash cart with emergency medications. There are also computers everywhere to chart medications coming in and out and receiving orders.

II. Observation:

Everyone in the pharmacy is on their feet and working all the time. They will definitely talk and joke and gossip but they do it while working. The size of the department makes it easy for them to communicate without need of a phone. Diagnostic procedures that are performed are checking inventory, stocking shelves, checking and delivering medications, and keeping records of what comes in and goes out. Therapeutic procedures that some of these medications are used for is treating allergies and cold-like symptoms, treating high BP, using nitroglycerin to treat heart problems, and using insulin on diabetic patients.

III. Knowledge:

I learned about the organizational system that the pharmacy uses. I also learned how to label certain medications with a sticker when it is outgoing. The abbreviation Rx is short for the Latin word "recipe" which means "to take". Ipratropium Bromide is a drug that treats allergies and a runny nose. Sucralfate is a drug that treats ulcers and other stomach issues.

IV. Evaluation:

I personally think that this department is a great place to learn more about what medications are used to treat patients and their conditions. The department is a paradise for anyone who is OCD with all the strict organization that goes on. I also feel that the pharmacy offers an inside glimpse into what it's like to some of the most needed people in the hospital. I feel that it is a good rotation to go on.

GC 2/9/15 and 2/12/15

This week I rotated back to LTAC to do some activities with some of the residents, but first of all we had some work to take care of. After that we got right to spending time with patients. The patients and us students feel that these activities help us all bond and become closer, I just hope we can do this again some time.