Practicum in Health Science Wound Packing Lab

Wound care is critical to know and understand in medical training, particularly for those in nursing or healthcare fields. Recently, students in Dr. Farber's Practicum in Health Science course gained hands-on experience related to wound care. They had the opportunity to cycle through three lab stations: wound packing, wound flushing, and wound identification/staging.

At the wound packing station, students packed a pork shoulder, which simulated the sensation of skin/tissues, with gauze while fake blood soaked through. At the wound flushing station, students used a syringe to find the right amount of pressure needed to flush pepper, which simulated debris, out of a wound on silicone "skin." They then used butterfly closures to close the wound and dressed it with a non-adherent pad. At the wound identification/staging station, students learned about the different types of wound pressure ulcer stages and how to identify them. They then looked at images and identified them accordingly. The class also engaged in discussions about infection control, health promotion, privacy and safety, and emergency response.

The second half of the year will be filled with more fascinating labs!

What is Practicum in Health Science?
It serves as an introductory course that is designed to give students first-hand, practical experience in a myriad of health and medical science career pathways. This course is modeled after a clinical rotation, with the students spending a set amount of time focusing on multiple areas of the health and medical field in order to experience the diversity in the profession. Examples of focal areas could be: mental health, sports medicine, clinical nursing, health and wellness, geriatric care, and neonatal care. Students will continue to learn about the various medical fields, including an overview of how to take a patient history and conduct a basic assessment.

What else have students been learning in this course during the second trimester?
We looked at the areas of interest for the students enrolled in the course and have catered the content accordingly. We started the trimester off by learning about various career paths within health sciences as well as various settings. Students created a PowerPoint presentation on a career they're interested in, gave a snapshot of a healthcare setting (ex: clinics, radiology, oncology, respiratory, summer camps, etc), and interviewed someone who works in the health sciences field. We then moved into the clinical medicine unit, where students learned about medical abbreviations, collecting a patient history, and how to take vital signs. Throughout the remainder of the trimester, we will continue to look at different areas of the health and medical field through discussions, labs, case studies, and more!