WEEK 2

22.10.08

This afternoon we went to the orthopedics inpatient ward. Together Chantelle, Rhod (our supervisor) and I got a pt up for the first time following a CABG (coronary artery bipass graft). It was interesting to see the comparison with this pt and another pt down the ward following the same proceedure. Our pt had the additional complication of Polio affecting his (L) LL. We were able to get out pt out of bed and take him for a short walk.

Chantelle and I controlled the pt's anxiety well by pausing and distracting the pt from his past surgery by asking him about home and getting him to count his breaths.

This pt had a leg splint on his polio affected limb that was 30 years old and it isn't every day that one of this age is seen as they are so heavy and non-functional. Our supervisor explained to us and the pt the designs of newer models and how much easier it is with the latest design with much lighter metal and more flexibility. It would be an interesting area to do a little bit of research into just to see the progression and background of polio.

In future we would be more confident in cutting the pt off as he tended to want to talk about his problem and over think things, rather then just giving it a shot. Our supervisor demonstrated this ability well and we were able to learn from it.