Respiratory Rotation Week

Learning Report

What were your responsibilities or duties this week?
My duties this week were to observe respiratory therapists and learn how the respiratory department functions. I followed several therapists and observed the procedures that they did and how they check on their patients. I was to ask several questions regarding the respiratory system and how the equipment worked. I witnessed a PFT test of an woman and learned the affects of second hand smoke. I learned the types of medicine and therapeutic procedures that can help patients who have breathing issues. Though the respiratory department was not busy and did not have many patients, I was able to ask questions to the employees and follow them around as they showed me other parts of the hospital.

What new knowledge or skill did you learn this week?
This week I learned a lot about possible complications of the respiratory system as well as how the respiratory department is important to the entire hospital. This department is the only one that goes to other departments and is crucial for multiple departments. Respiratory therapists are a very important person for many departments and they move from location to location to help many patients. They work closely with radiology, the ER, and the nursery. I was able to see a PFT and see how the lungs can be tested and diagnosed. The patient who was taking the test had poor results and her lung capacity and function was low. The therapist thought she has COPD and also gave her medicine to inhale to open her airway. I was able to ask many questions during the test and learned a lot about what a respiratory therapists does as well as how they diagnose patients. 

What was the best thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?
The best thing that happened this week was being able to go to the nursery and observe a respiratory therapist check on his patient. I really enjoyed watching the baby and seeing how the nurses and therapist help keep the baby healthy. I also enjoyed this week because I was able to move around a large portion of the hospital and got to go to places I have yet to go. 

What was the worst thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?
The worst thing this week was on the second day there was no patients and the respiratory therapist had nothing to do. The therapist who I was observing that day became off topic and went on his computer and YouTube. 

If the "worst" was a mistake, how was it corrected?
I tried my best to keep the conversation medical related and ask a lot of questions about the department and his job.

This week was: Fair

Why?
This week was good in that I was able to see a PFT and the nursery, however the second day was very slow and I did not know how to handle the situation. The first day was better than the second. I really enjoyed being able to observe the baby and PFT. Also the employees in the department were really friendly and informative and the best I have yet observed.

Experience Record 

Technology observed:

• Vital Sign Monitors
• Ventilator
• Breathing Tube
• Circuits
• PFT Test

Diagnostic procedures observed:

• PFT Test
• Monitor
• Questioning

Therapeutic procedures observed:

• Inhalers
• Bronchodilator Drugs
• Ventilator
• Salbutamol

Disease/disorders observed:

• COPD
• Emphysema
• Apnea 

Medical terminology/abbreviations encountered:

• PEEP - positive end-expiratory pressure
• BPM
• Bronchodilator
• Lungs, hearts, artery, vein
• Apnea
• Asthma
• Dyspnea
• Tuberculosis 

Other Observed:

• Assembly of a ventilator
• Other departments of the hospital
• Ventilator for babies
• Components of a ventilator

Experience Journal

1. The respiratory department only has a small office as they move throughout the hospital. There main office is small and organized as well as friendly and open. The employees are very friendly and intelligent. They are charismatic and funny and I really liked them. The department goes to other departments and does various procedures for patients. They monitor breathing, provide ventilators, diagnose breathing illnesses, provide respiratory medicine and give various tests. They control ventilators for patients in the ICU or nursery and are on call for the ER. They use PFT equipment and inhalers and other therapeutic equipment. The department is very important to the hospital as the respiratory system is a vital system for life and their knowledge helps keep patients healthy and alive. Smoking is a very important topic to the therapists as it has large consequences for the lungs and can cause many complications for the patients. The employees in this department are very well liked and are known throughout the hospital. They were the best employees I have observed and I really enjoyed this rotation because of them despite their lack of patients. The respiratory department is very skilled and intelligent and necessary for the hospital and the patients.
2. The department was very friendly and kind to each other and those around them. They all seemed to be friends and they worked very well together. They rely on one another and ask each other for advice or help. They are very charismatic and funny as they keep the atmosphere light and fun. They were very kind and helpful to the patients and did the best that they could to accommodate their needs. They need to have good communication skills as they worked with the majority of the other departments and the therapists in this department had very strong teaming and communication skills. They were very skilled in their jobs and very intelligent. They knew how to diagnose and help patients. They performed a PFT and provide the appropriate medicine and referred the patient to a specialist. The employees were very nice and worked well those around them. Despite have a slow day, they remained happy and optimistic under the circumstances. 
3. This week I learned a lot about the respiratory system including complications and how the department works. Respiratory is very important to the hospital because, as I learned, if the respiratory system fails, all the other systems eventually fail. There are many complications that can occur such as COPD, Emphysema, Tuberculosis, Dyspnea and many others. I learned how negative second-hand smoking is as well as how important it is not to smoke. To become a respiratory therapist, one needs to take a two year training program and become certified. I learned that the job can be busy but also is crucial for the hospital to ensure patient health. I was able to observe the assembling of a ventilator as well as how the machine works and how to control one. I asked many questions to the employees and learned a lot about the department as a whole and a lot of information about the respiratory system.
4. The week I felt I did a good job in communicating and asking questions to the employees. Despite not having anything going on on the second day I took advantage of the situation and asked about the careers that are associated with the department. As a result I learned a lot about the qualifications and education of respiratory therapists and the responsibility they have. I have learned that the respiratory system is very important and will be able to used the knowledge I gained in the future in any medical department. I learned a lot about the system that is sure to help and benefit me in the future. I learned that I am capable of asking good questions and interacting with employees. I also realized that I am excited to go to the nursery. The employees showed me how to properly treat patients and how to help to the best of your ability. 

LTC

This week I refilled water and ice to residents and was able to communicate with many people. I went room by room and asked residents I they needed more water or wanted some juice. I also had a chance in each room to communicate and interact with the residents. Many people were sleeping or did not want to be disturbed, however we were able to find residents who were friendly and talkative. The fire alarm was chaotic and shocking but it did not last long and after we went around and offered people juice. We did not know the type of juice which caused confusion however most of the residents were happy and talkative. I enjoyed this week because we were able to talk to residents for a short time and move from room to room.