DSOP Rotation Week

Learning Report

What were your responsibilities or duties this week?

My responsibilities this week were to observe the employees and how the Day Surgery department functions and is apart of the hospital. I was to learn how patients are administered as well as how they are discharged. I learned about the necessary paperwork and the consent forms and their importance. I observed nurses take care of patients after surgery and how the kept them out of pain and comfortable. It was their responsibility to explain what to do and not to do after their surgery and any possible complications. This week I was to observe how the department functions. 

What new knowledge or skill did you learn this week?

This week I learned a lot about the paperwork and the consent forms that are necessary for surgeries. I also learned a lot of new terminology in the department and learned how patients are cared for before and after surgery. I was able to learn more about anesthesia and other drugs that are given. I observed a woman with multiple health issues and the precautions each employee took with her. I learned how important this department is and that it is crucial to the hospital.

What was the best thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?

The best thing that happened this week was when I was moved to the PACU and I was able to observe a very nice and friendly nurse who taught me a lot and was easy to talk to. I was able to enjoy my time more and felt comfortable. She was very informative and knowledgeable and I was lucky to learn from her. 

What was the worst thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?

The worst thing that happened this week was on the second day there wasn't any patients and it was quiet. However the nurse allowed me to go to the PACU which turned out to be the best thing that happened this week.

This week was: Fair

Why?
This week was fair because I meet a lot of nice and informative employees and learned a lot about the surgical department and how each area works together. I was able to see patients and the procedures that take place before and after surgery. The only down fall this week was the second day when there was nothing going on and I felt out of place, yet I was able to go to the PACU and I enjoyed that a lot. 

Experience Record 

Technology observed:

• Vital Signs Monitors
• Portable Oxygen
• Thermometer
• IV 

Diagnostic procedures observed:

• Vital Signs
• BP, Pulse, Temperature
• Blood test
• Past history
• Anesthesia history
• Consciousness
• Responsiveness
• Pain levels
• Lab tests

Therapeutic procedures observed:

• Drugs
• Anesthesia
• Positioning
• Heating system
• Oxygen
• Ice and water

Disease/disorders observed:

• Edema/Swelling
• Cancer
• Blood in digestive tract
• Painful abdomen 

Medical terminology/abbreviations encountered:

• OR/PACU
• IV
• Colon
• Blood transfusion
• Cancer
• Post-Op
• Intestines and digestive tract
• Blood disorders

Other Observed:

• Complications for past surgeries
• Signing consent forms
• Paper work for each patient
• Hard to find vein for a patient
• Pain recovery

Experience Journal

1. DSOP is very close to the OR and the PACU and the patients have easy access between the areas. It is very comfortable and calm as patients are quiet and usually sleeping. It is where patients go before and after surgery and the nurses take care of the patients. Before surgery paperwork and consent forms must be given to the patient and signed. This step is very important and there is an employee and own room for the paperwork. The nurses explain procedures and assure the patients that everything is okay. After surgery the patients are brought back and eventually wake up. The nurses make sure their pain is fine and they do not have any complications. It is then their responsibility to discharge the patient and warn them of any complications. 
2. The health care professionals were very caring and friendly to the patients and enjoyed their job. They worked well together and asked each other for help. When there was a mistake or problem they successfully worked through it and did not let it affect the patient. They were all very knowledgeable and good at their jobs. They were kind to me and informative about the department.They made the experience better and I was able to learn a lot by just observing them. 
3. This week I learned about the importance of the paper work and consent of a patient as well as the importance of this department. I observed a lot of terminology being used and technology was also an important part of the department. I learned how important the patients history was as I saw a woman denied her surgery because of a heart issue. I learned more about anesthesia and the possible side affects. I saw how caring and considerate the employees were and how they help each other. I understand the procedures for patients before as well as after surgery. I also learned about the careers of the nurses and their personal career history.
4. I feel as though I did a good job interacting and asking questions. I was able to keep the employee on topic and learn about a lot of things. I stayed focused and learned a lot despite the lack of patients. I was able to learn by observing and I kept my attention on the employees and learned about their responsibilities. I feel this week has given me appreciation for the department and how crucial it is for the hospital. I am now able to understand what the department does and how important it is for the hospital. 

LTC

This week was probably my favorite week. I was in the Alzheimer's unit and I enjoyed is so much. I have always been interested in the disease and this was my first time going to the area and I was interested in the residents the whole time. We played with a ball and we played music and danced. I know that we made them all happy and we got them to interact. I find it hard to know that so many people are affected by this terrible disease and I have become more interested to research about it and understand it more. I was able to see the different levels and the different ways the disease affect an individual. They were all so sweet and caring and it was a shame that they have Alzheimer's. I felt that we made their day better and we were able to make them smile. Even though they probably wont remember I feel that we made them happy. I enjoyed this week both because I had fun interacting with them and because I was able to understand more of the disease and realized how much I want to know about Alzheimer's.