Pediatric Specialty Rotation

I spent two weeks at the University of Florida's Pediatric Pulmonary Division working with Shands hospital. More information about UF PPD can be read at : http://www.peds.ufl.edu/divisions/pulmonary/index.asp

During this rotation, I spent a lot of time learning about Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The first day I watched a few power points which helped to train me on CF and the nutritional needs of these children. CF is a genetic disease in which both parents are carriers of the gene. Basically, CF patients need  ~150% increase in nutritional needs. Many CF patients do not absorb fat which means they must take pancreatic enzymes.

The University of Florida's Pediatric Pulmonary Division sees CF patients on Tuesdays. CF patients must be seen every few months to ensure they are growing properly and are healthy. Because CF children and adults can easily obtain sickness from others, this is the day when CF patients are instructed to be seen.While in the clinic, patients with CF must wear face masks to prevent themselves from obtaining germs and disease. I saw many patients here and learned what their struggles are with this disease.

I was fortunate enough to watch a lung test (a breathing test) on a CF patient. I realized that it takes all their energy to expend all their breath from their lungs. I also learned that these patients have to perform breathing exercises at home every single day, on top of increase energy needs. I learned about the family struggles with having a CF child, for example, the child needs a high fat high calorie diet, but the mom and dad may need decreased fat and calorie needs themselves. Thus meal time may be difficult with greater temptations for those without the increases calorie needs.

Wednesdays at the University of Florida Pediatric Pulmonary Division are the days they go to sleep clinic where children with sleep problems and nutritional needs are seen by the dietitian. Our case study was picked from the sleep center. We (the other intern and myself)  chose a patient with Cerebral Palsy. It was a very interesting case, the patient was spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy with nutrition solely from a tube feeding pump.

Thursday we worked on our case study and had a power point presentation about family centered care. Friday was a work from home day were we each had to write our own ADIME note to write on our case study patient, as well as some videos to watch related to CF.

The next week we shadowed the in-patient RD for Shands. We followed him around the floors and saw a few patients.

At UF PPD both in-patient and out-patient (clinic) settings, they have their own charting system where the charting is online but the notes are previously formatted and pull some information from the patients chart. It was very different from the charting system at the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

The second Tuesday of the rotation we were in CF clinic and saw more CF patients.

 The following Wednesday we were at sleep clinic again. We saw children with obstructive sleep apnea (mostly due to being overweight). The RD allowed the other intern and I to counsel patients ourselves.

The last Thursday we were at UF PPD, we presented our case study to the Pediatric Pulmonary Division personnel. We had a great turnout with social work interns and pharmacy interns there as well!

This was probably my favorite rotation so far. I enjoyed having the chance to work here!