Camp Odayin Medical Training

2015

Roles and responsibilities of camp medical staff

Common camper diagnoses and their implications

Common camper concerns

Objectives

Roles and ResponsibilitiesDoctor

Lead NurseCabin Nurse

There will be 2-3 pediatric cardiologists or intensivists every week at camp.

Doctors are available 24/7 by walkie talkie. At least one doctor will be present at

horseback riding and water front each day.

Camp Doctors

There will be one lead nurse at each camp session.

The lead nurse is available by walkie talkie 24/7.

Responsible for overseeing all health care aspects at camp including doctor and cabin nurse staffing and camper/volunteer health and safety.

Lead Nurse

There will be one cabin nurse for every 1-2 cabins.

Cabin nurses are responsible for the health and safety of their campers.

They will attend all camper activities and report any concerns to leadership staff.

They will administer medications to campers each day.

Cabin Nurses

Common Camper Diagnoses

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)Implantable Pacemaker/Defibrillators

Heart Transplants

Normal Heart FunctionThe Plumbing:

• In normal heart function blood travels through a series of blood vessels, valves, and heart chambers.

• The heart pumps deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs.

• It then pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the body.

Normal Heart FunctionThe

Electricity: An electrical

current travels from the top of the heart to the bottom.

The electricity causes the heart muscle to contract, squeezing the blood forward.

Most of our campers have CHD, which is a defect in the “plumbing” of their hearts.

CHD is the number one birth defect in the United States.

The defect can be simple, such as a small hole between two of the heart chambers or a valve missing one leaflet.

Defects can also be complex, such as a chamber that is too small or valves that are completely closed off.

Some campers may have multiple, very complex defects.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)

Many campers have had multiple open heart surgeries to correct their CHD. Some of our campers have had their chests cracked open 5-6 times by the time they are a teenager.

Sometimes the surgeries work well. Other times the campers continue to have trouble. They may have blue lips and nail beds. They may also tire more easily than other campers.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)

Most campers know how to listen to their bodies. They may need to take a break sometimes.

There is a one hour rest hour after lunch each day. This allows campers (and staff) some time to reboot.

It is very important for campers to stay well hydrated, especially campers who have had a Fontan procedure. These campers need enough fluid in their blood system to get blood to their lungs.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)

If you would like more information on common defects our campers may have, look up with these diagnoses: Fontan procedure and ventricular hypertrophy Tetralogy of Fallot Septal defects

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)

Some campers have trouble with the electrical system in their heart. They may have an implanted device under their skin. This device sends electrical currents to their heart muscle if it goes out of rhythm.

Pacemakers are used to speed the heart up if it gets too slow.

Defibrillators are used to slow the heart down if it goes too fast.

Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators are implanted under the skin, usually under the left collar bone.

If your camper’s defibrillator gives a shock: The shock will likely knock the person to the ground.

They may pass out before the shock happens. People often say it feels like being kicked in the chest

by a horse. Ouch! Remember, the defibrillator went off for a good reason! Try to remain calm. Call for help on the nurse’s walkie

talkie. Avoid any rough play. Trauma to the device can

cause malfunction.

Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Some of our campers have been given the most precious gift, a heart transplant.

Some campers may have they contracted a virus which made their hearts weak.

Some campers had congenital defects which were too complex to survive without a transplant.

Heart Transplants

Campers who have had a heart transplant are on antirejection medications. These medications make it more difficult to fight off infections. Please encourage your campers to wash their

hands before meals/snacks, after using the bathroom, and after activities.

Notify medical staff if your camper develops a fever or chills.

For more information on organ transplantation visit www.unos.org

Heart Transplants

Common Camper Concerns

Most of what we see at camp are your typical “kid things”: Bumps and bruises….and a few broken bones…. Bug bites and stings Headaches Slivers

If you notice your campers looking more pale, blue, short of breath, tired, or swollen (especially their abdomen, ankles, or feet) please report it to the medical staff right away.

What should I be prepared for?

We do our best to keep campers safe. Kids with heart disorders can be at a higher risk for having a sudden cardiac event.

We are prepared for emergencies We are well staffed, with one nurse for every 1-2

cabins, at least two doctors on duty every camp session, and a lead nurse available at all times.

AEDs and emergency medications are readily available. Local hospitals and EMS are aware that we are in the

area.

Do we ever have emergencies at camp?

All nurses have a Walkie Talkie with them (but turned off) at all time.

Lead nurse, doctors, and/or other leadership staff have their Walkie Talkies turned on at ALL times.

The lead nurse is always on-call. There will be a Walkie Talkie in your cabin for use at night. We will talk more about this at staff meeting the first and second nights of camp.

If you need help use your nurse’s Walkie Talkie to reach other staff.

Walkie Talkies

That means you! We need to know if campers AND volunteers are

getting hurt. We need to know if campers AND volunteers are

not feeling well. All injuries and illness MUST be recorded in the

health center log by a member of the health care team.

ALL INJURIES AND ILLNESS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE LEAD NURSE!

Please remember to keep yourself and your campers hydrated!

If your camper is more tired they might be dehydrated.

Campers will follow your lead. Even the teenagers!

Make a game of it if you have to.

Water!

Please remember to put sunscreen on your campers and yourself in the morning. Reapply throughout the day.

There is sunscreen in your cabin bag. Bring it with you! If you run out leadership staff have TONS of it, ask for more.

Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean you can’t get sun damage.

Once again, those kiddos will follow your lead…. Even the teenagers!

Sunscreen

A lot of our campers need to be on blood thinners. They will be more prone to bleeding and bruising.

Avoid contact sports and rough housing We try to have activities that are appropriate

for all campers. If you think an activity is too rough please tell a Camp K or an Odayin staff member.

Coumadin and Aspirin

Infection control is VERY important, especially with our heart transplant kiddos.

Please remind your campers to wash their hands before they eat, after they use the bathroom, and after activities.

Handwashing

Two nurses will look through cabins every morning and choose the winner of the clean cabin awards! (Secret confession: they are also looking for wet beds. Shhhh….)

If you notice a camper with a wet bed please let your cabin nurse or lead nurse know. We will wash bedding every day.

Please be discrete if you notice a camper has wet his or her bed. It is very embarrassing.

Bedwetting

Itchy, small, red bites caused by a bug that lives in the shallow waters of Trout Lake

Some people are more allergic and reactive than others.

What can you do? Stay out of the shallow water if possible. Dry off with a towel right away. Do not allow

yourself to air dry. We have some topical remedies to try if you do get

swimmers itch.

Swimmers Itch

It is very important that we keep ALL medications out of the cabins. Medications are locked inside the health center, with the exception of Epi pens and rescue inhalers (albuterol).

On Monday morning there will be a bin for staff to put their medications in. We will provide brown paper bags for your privacy.

Staff Medications

You may come to the health center for your medications after breakfast, before the nightly staff meeting, and as needed. Just ask a member of the health care team to let you in the medication room!

Cabin nurses often have over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Neosporin, etc) in their backpacks. Just ask!

Staff Medications

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask the health care staff

Thank you for helping us make camp a safe, healthy, and fun place to be!

Thank you!