Oncology Care Observation

Spending a whole shift observing the functioning of the hematology and oncology clinic at children hospital was a great educational experience. The day started by being on the OR observing two different lumbar punctures being performed, they lasted each one no more that 15 to 20 minutes but the experience took me back to the process of count down and surgery roles and rules. The patients were closed on age and they came accompanied by their mothers to the OR, the family stayed until the child was ready to surgery, parents were called back to be by the children side when it was time for them to woke up for family support. There were only to surgeries scheduled for the whole day so after OR was closed, I was assigned to shadow a nurse on the oncology department. The nurse care started triaging the patients after the patient was assigned to a room, constantly communicate with the Physician assistance, nurse practitioner or MD about the patient requirements and needs. I saw a lot of blood draws in order to get patients lab values and infusions to provide medications and chemo therapy. I was explained that two nurses are required to participate during chemo therapies to be able to verify the patient, medication, rate, order, etc. In order to be able to provide chemo therapy nurses need to go to a training class and pass an exam due

to the complexity and toxicity of the treatment. After receiving the okay for discharge from the nurse practitioner or PA, the nurse proceeds to release the patient.
On the other hand, in reference to the clinic I was explained that patients are instructed to call the clinic if any health complication develops like fever to be seeing here instead of going to urgent care or ED due to the fragile immune system that occurs as a consequence of chemotherapy.

At the end of my observing day, I attended a wrap up meeting for the staff. It was interesting to see how the clinic coordinates their schedules and the billing involves with the functioning of it. Every nurse needs to charge every patient account with the service that was provided in order to manifest or justified their productivity in the

department.
I was introduce to the dynamics of children’s life which is a group that help children distract themselves from their treatment and also during the times that families need to talk to the physicians about the progression of the treatment, how the patient is responding to it or if the prognosis is not a good one specially when the patient is on age of understanding.
Also, it was pretty amazing to see healthcare members of diverse departments working together with the final goal of making the patient and family experience more comfortable and less stressful. At the end, I can said that I am glad I have the opportunity to be observing the dynamic of the unit and the role of the same during those difficult moments that patient and families faced. It is all about helping the patient through the hard times by guiding and supporting them.