Posted by Tiffany Pfundt at Monday, November 29, 2010

For my institutional rotation I chose a hospital close to home: Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc. It wasn't the most exciting rotation I've had, but I think that can be said of most Institutional rotations. I managed to learn a lot, so I count it as a win!

Week One

I spent my first week shadowing various technicians around the hospital. Each day I worked with technicians in different areas of the pharmacy department. I learned how to receive and take care of drugs from the supplier, refill Pyxis machines, fill orders for medications not in the Pyxis, stock the clean room, prepare sterile products, and manage inventory. This week helped further my appreciation for technicians and the vital role they play in safe medication distribution.

Week Two

The second week I shadowed several pharmacists. The first two days I watched pharmacists enter orders into the computer. Genesys is currently developing Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) software, but it won't be ready until next year. I also helped check IVs and unit dose medications after technicians prepared them. Then I went to one of the satellite pharmacies and worked with a pharmacist there. I finished up the week with the ICU pharmacist who does rounds twice a day with doctors in the ICU.

Week Three

I spent the third week on the fourth floor working with clinical pharmacists. I helped dose and choose appropriate antibiotics, adjust medications based on patients' renal function, and dose Coumadin. Even though I was in the same place all week, I worked with a different pharmacist every day. I liked working with different pharmacists; it allowed me to see and compare the pharmacists' different styles in action.

Week Four

The last week I got to work with several clinical specialists. I worked with the infectious diseases pharmacist, operating room pharmacist, and ICU pharmacist again. While with the OR pharmacist I was able to sit in on an open heart surgery. I thought the first four hours were very cool, then my feet started to hurt and looking at a beating heart wasn't that exciting anymore. That is when I decided it is good I didn't become a surgeon. I never realized the heart torqued so much when it beat - very educational. To finish up the month, I gave an in-service to the department about Lantus and Levemir. The hospital had recently decided to only use Levemir as their basal insulin product. I enjoyed the project as it helped me brush up on my diabetes material.

For anyone who lives in this area, or who doesn't mind a quick trip up US 23, I recommend the rotation. As you can see, my four weeks included a good mix of observational and hands-on experiences.