Camp Odayin Day Camp Medical Training Objectives Roles

Camp Odayin Day Camp Medical Training

Objectives Roles and responsibilities of Day Camp medical staff Common camper diagnoses and their implications Common camper concerns

Roles and Responsibilities On-Call Cardiologist Nurse

On-Call Cardiologist In the event of an emergency, call 911 Our on-call cardiologist is will be available by phone & pager to answer non-emergency medical questions all week The cardiologist with have received medical information on each of our day campers In the event of a cardiac question, either the nurse or Day Camp director will reach out to the on-call cardiologist

Nurse There will be one nurse at Day Camp. The nurse is responsible for the health and safety of campers. He/she will attend all camper activities and report any concerns to the Day Camp director. He/she will administer medications to campers each day. The nurse may carry his/her cell phone for use in the event of an emergency.

Common Camper Diagnoses Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Implantable Pacemaker/Defibrillators Heart Transplants

Normal Heart Function The 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 Function The 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.

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) 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 are two snacks each day. These mellow downtimes allow 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, here are some good resources: http: //www. heart. org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Congenital Heart. Defects/Congenital-Heart. Defects_UCM_001090_Sub. Home. Page. jsp

Pacemakers and Defibrillators 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 are implanted under the skin, either under the left collar bone or in the abdomen.

Pacemakers and Defibrillators 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! Remain calm. Call for the nurse’s help. Avoid any rough play. Trauma to the device can cause malfunction.

Heart Transplants 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 Are you signed up to be an organ donor? ?

Common Camper Concerns

What should I be prepared for? Most of what we see at Day Camp are your typical “kid things”: Bumps and bruises 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 nurse right away.

Do we ever have emergencies at camp? 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 a 1 to 4 staff to camper ratio. AEDs and emergency medications are readily available. The Children's Minnesota Saint Paul Hospital is just 4 miles from Dodge Nature Center.

ALL INJURIES AND ILLNESS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE NURSE! 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 log by the nurse.

Water! Please remember to keep yourself and your campers hydrated! If your camper is more tired they might be dehydrated. Campers will follow your lead. Make a game of it if you have to.

Sunscreen Please remember to put sunscreen on yourself in the morning. Campers should come to camp with sunscreen already applied but it will be available as needed. Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean you can’t get sun damage. If we are outside a lot during a day, we may reapply sunscreen as a group. Once again, those kiddos will follow your lead…

Coumadin and Aspirin 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 the Day Camp director.

Handwashing 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.

Staff Medications It is very important that we keep ALL medications out of reach from campers. Staff medications must be left in bags and stored safely in the classroom cupboards. Camper medications will be kept by the nurse for administration. Epi pens and rescue inhalers (albuterol) will be carried by the nurse to camper activities out of our classroom.

Thank you! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask the Day Camp director Thank you for helping us make Day Camp a safe, healthy, and fun place to be!