It's been a while since my last entry on this blog. So much have happened at work which I failed to share it with you guys. I also got less chances of visiting blogs these days. I am much concerned bout my health lately. I even subjected myself for a medical consult and I am still complying with all the diagnostic work ups required of me. So how are you guys doing? I hope you can still visit this blog of mine and I promise I will update this blog anytime I can. Happy Sunday everyone!

Finger Bleeds!

I accidentally cut my middle finger with a sharp edge ampule at work last night. Blood oozed that I immediately ran my way out to the lavatory to let the blood flow under running water. The cut is a bit deep because it pains me. Even if I applied pressure on it for many minutes, blood was still dripping. I swear next time I got to be more watchful to avoid this kind of incident.

911-Sponsored BLS Seminar

I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in a 911-sponsored BLS Seminar last October 8, 2009. It was indeed a pleasure having to learn the updates of the BLS as patterned from the American Heart Association. The whole day seminar was composed of exercises which we ought to learn when helping a patient/person who lost his/her consciousness. It was also fun having to manipulate on Adam and some other dummies! =) Really a pleasure attending a very informative session with Sir Jethro of 911-Davao.

One of My Most Admired Patients Is Dead! =(

Approximately 4 months ago, I made this entry about M.O. (please click here), sharing how she fought her blood-related illness. I made it known how brave she was on the course of her therapy. A few weeks ago, I got shocked with the news that she already died at the same ward where I first met her. So hurting and sad because I haven't even said how good she was as a fighter after a series of countless blood transfusions. The last time I saw her, she grasped my hand thanking me for still remembering here. Personally, how could I ever forget Ate MO who got to inspire co-patients to face their illnesses with optimisms.

To Ate MO, I know you're now in the hands of God. May you continue to inspire others through prayer. I know you're happy right now to where you're at. May you rest in peace, Ate.

Newborn Screening Program In The Philippines

Reference: Wikepedia
This is very informative and this has driven me to share this because we just had a seminar on it and I wanna share it with you guys... Thanks to Wikepedia for all the information attained in this post.

What is Newborn Screening?

Newborn screening is the process of testing newborn babies for treatable genetic, endocrinologic, metabolic and hematologic diseases.^[1][2] Robert Guthrie is given much of the credit for pioneering the earliest screening for phenylketonuria in the late 1960s using blood samples on filter paper obtained by pricking a newborn baby's heel on the second day of life to get a few drops of blood. ^[3] Congenital hypothyroidism was the second disease widely added in the 1970s.^[4] The development of tandem mass spectrometry screening by Edwin Naylor and others in the early 1990s led to a large expansion of potentially detectable congenital metabolic diseases that affect blood levels of organic acids.^[5] Additional tests have been added to many screening programs over the last two decades. Newborn screening has been adopted by most countries around the world, though the lists of screened diseases vary widely.

Newborn Screening Program In The Philippines

The following tests are mandated in the R.A. 9288 or Newborn Screening program of 2004.Newborn screening is available in practicing health institutions (hospitals, lying-ins, Rural Health Units and Health Centers) with cooperation with DOH. If babies are delivered at home, babies may be brought to the nearest institution offering newborn screening. A negative screen mean that the result of the test is normal and the baby is not suffering from any of the disorders being screened. In case of a positive screen, the NBS nurse coordinator will immediately inform the coordinator of the institution where the sample was collected for recall of patients for confirmatory testing. Babies with positive results should be referred at once to the nearest hospital or specialist for confirmatory test and further management. Should there be no specialist in the area, the NBS secretariat office will assist its attending physician. Disorders Screened:

Heel Prick Method for the newborn screening

• CH (Congenital hypothyroidism) - is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. Approximately 1 in 4000 newborn infants has a severe deficiency of thyroid function, while even more have mild or partial degrees. If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism can lead to growth failure and permanent mental retardation. Treatment consists of a daily dose of thyroid hormone (thyroxine) by mouth. Because the treatment is simple, effective, and inexpensive, nearly all of the developed world practices newborn screening to detect and treat congenital hypothyroidism in the first weeks of life.
• CAH (Congenital adrenal hyperplasia) - refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from mutations of genes for enzymes mediating the biochemical steps of production of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands (steroidogenesis). Most of these conditions involve excessive or deficient production of sex steroids and can alter development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in some affected infants, children, or adults. Approximately 95% of cases of CAH are due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
• GAL (Galactosemia) - is a rare genetic metabolic disorder which affects an individual's ability to properly metabolize the sugar galactose. Lactose in food (such as dairy products) is broken down by the body into glucose and galactose. In individuals with galactosemia, the enzymes needed for further metabolism of galactose are severely diminished or missing entirely, leading to toxic levels of galactose to build up in the blood, resulting in hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver), cirrhosis, renal failure, cataracts, and brain damage. Without treatment, mortality in infants with galactosemia is about 75%.
• PKU (Phenylketonuria) - is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). This enzyme is necessary to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine to the amino acid tyrosine. When PAH is deficient, phenylalanine accumulates and is converted into phenylpyruvate (also known as phenylketone), which is detected in the urine. PAH is found on chromosome number 12.Left untreated, this condition can cause problems with brain development, leading to progressive mental retardation and seizures. However, PKU is one of the few genetic diseases that can be controlled by diet. A diet low in phenylalanine and high in tyrosine can be a very effective treatment. There is no cure. Damage done is irreversible so early detection is crucial.
• G6PD Deficiency - is an X-linked recessive hereditary disease characterized by abnormally low levels of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme (abbreviated G6PD or G6PDH). It is a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism.
• Newborn screening results are available within three weeks after the NBS Lab receives and tests the samples sent by the institutions. Results are released by NBS Lab to the institutions and are released to your attending birth attendants or physicians.Parents may seek the results from the institutions where samples are collected. Christian Nieto,EACSN

DMC Seminar For Nurses and Student Nurses

Davao Medical Center's Pedia Main and NICU, in cooperation with Association of DMC Nurses for Professional Development, Inc. will be holding a seminar entitled "A Drop of Blood Saves Lives..An Early Detection of Congenital Anomalies Thru Newborn Screening and Its Management" on October 22, 2009 from 8:00AM-12 noon @ DMC's Mahogany Room, 3rd Floor JICA Building. Speakers of the said seminar will be Conchita Abarquez, MD, DPPS and Jalilah A. Tiburon, MD. Registration fees are P200 for preregistrants and P250 for walk-ins or onsite registration. Interested parties can contact Ms. Jessica Mae Cano, RN, MAN @ DMC's Training Office or directly contact our NICU Secretariat at 09238421499. Please see attached picture for more details. See you there!

Owning Affordable Eyeglasses

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What are you waiting for? Choose your own fashion eyeglasses now!

Meeting JP Again! =)

While I was assigned at my previous rotation at the General Ward last year, I had this patient named J.P. who was diagnosed with SLE. He was under my care for how many months. I can't forget how hard it was for him coping with his illness. I can't even forget her mother who worried much about him too! I was too glad when he was due for discharge last year. Recently, I saw J.P. again, and I can't believe how he has grown. I am happy he's now back in school and still hoping he'd finally be okay. I also am thankful for I am still remembered most especially by his mom who still thanked me in a way for caring for his son.

Upcoming Seminar For Interested Nurses in the Davao Area For September 2009

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of the Davao Medical Center in cooperation with the Association of DMC Nurses will hold an upcoming seminar this coming September 24, 2009 entitled "Not A Moment To Lose! Grasp the Alphabets of Pediatric Resuscitation at the 3rd Floor - Mahogany Room, JICA-OPD Building inside the Davao Medical Center vicinity. The said seminar will start at 7:30AM on that day and will approximately end by 12:00 noon. Speakers of the seminar will include Dr. Jean S. Tay, a famous neonatologist including Ms. Ma. Lorie Ann Tagabucba, RN, PICU's dynamic and energetic Head Nurse. Pre-registration fee until September 20, 2009 is only P200.00. For more details, please refer to the attached ad (thanks Ma'am April for this):

Lovin' My Nurse-Nanny Job

In the unit, we became instant nurse-nannies to one cute little baby who's been with us for two weeks now. So sad that her unknown parents can't seem to take the responsibility of raising her that's why she's being left unattended until concerned citizens rushed her to the hospital. Despite everything, she's well-loved by everybody. So glad that everybody takes turn of carrying, dressing, feeding, and playing with her. Extra gratitude goes to DSWD, to the doctors and to all the nurse-nannies who never get tired of her. I know this baby will be much missed when the time comes that she will be taken to where she should be. Just wanna say that I am lovin' this kid and also lovin' being her nurse-nanny whenever I am at work! =)

Pedianniversary! =)

July 1, 2009 marks my anniversary to my current assignment. I would say I had the best and worst experiences encountered. I had my share of happy and sad memories too! Never will I forgot the lessons learned, the humbling experiences achieved, and of course the lives of the people I was able to touch and saved. Despite everything, the unit I am in will always form part of what I have achieved now.

I would just like to Thank GOD for guiding me all through out. I hope I will always be guided still, and will be sharpen more!

DMC Hospital Week 2009

The Davao Medical Center (DMC) is currently celebrating the annual Hospital Week. This yearly event aims to foster camarederie between DMC existing departments by taking part in the various activities set by the organizers. The event started with a joyous parade last Monday which was participated by all the departments including our school affiliates. The event was formally opened by no other than our CEO Dr. Leopoldo Vega. Events for the Hospital Week include a Quiz Bowl Competition, The Search for DMV Top Bodies '09, a dance reload competition, and a basketball tournament among others. There's also an ongoing bazaar located along the DMC premises participated by some entrepreneurs. The hospital week started last Monday and will end by Friday.

May God Bless DMC and its employees! Happy Hospital Week DMC Peeps!