OTO x2

Today was another day of OTO and SNA. First thing this morning was rounds with the OTO team and then my preceptor and I visited a few patients. Our first patient was a woman with a trach-tube and we had to do a home tube feeding education. At first, my preceptor did the education,  just to show me how it was done and get a feel for what is said and asked.

I really enjoy my preceptor in this rotation. She laid everything out and was clear on expectations, such as keeping notes short and to the point, making patients feel comfortable, and making sure I ask lots of questions. She also asked me what I would like to do as far as talking to patients, such as if I wanted to just go see patients on my own, or have her oversee a patient interview. I chose the latter, and decided to watch her conduct a patient interview, then I had her oversee me, then I went on my own.

I had 3 patients altogether today. One patient was discharged by the time I wanted to go talk to her. Another patient was a cancer cachexia patient and sadly it was an "end-of-life" situation so there wasn't much I could do, but provide them with what they wanted and to make sure they were tolerating everything and were comfortable. My last patient was in for a a head/spine injury, and the craziest thing was that I had to proceed with caution into her room. Not because she had droplet precautions or MRSA, but she was "violent and abusive towards physicians." AKA - she hated everything with a white jacket. So, needless to say, I decided to just call her nurse!

Anywho...153 days...