Day 6: Practice, Efficiency, and Parvo Tests

Day 6 - Practice, Efficiency, and Parvo Tests

At this point, you should be able to verbally explain the importance of all primary drugs administered as well as all the details of their administration to your trainer. You should be capable of performing 90% of treatments on your own. . We still want you to be comfortable with asking questions to your co-volunteers and doctors if you're ever not sure of something. Remember, you should never inject anything into a patient if you don't know what it is and what adverse side effects could result if used improperly.

New Protocols

• SNAP Parvo test - The IDEXX SNAP test is used to determine if a recovered patient is no longer spreading the disease and is therefore safe to come out of Isolation

Efficiency Goals

During peak parvo season in the spring and early summer, (depending on geographical location), the Parvo ICU can have 30+ patients. All volunteers must go into "triage mode" to treat all dogs in a timely manner such that shifts do not last longer than 4 hours. One efficient volunteer is often more valuable than two or three slower volunteers. The following are triaging/efficiency goals for when we have 15+ dogs.

Review these tips for efficiency on the Triage Mode page!

Shift Structure

Quiz yourself! Walk through the main shift tasks and compare them to the following example:

1. Enter the ICU following proper quarantine protocols

2. Start of Shift Responsibilities

   1.  Do a quick walk-through the entire ICU to look at all patients and determine who is the most critical. Some patients may need emergency treatment if unresponsive during the walk-through

   2. Start the laundry - every volunteer and staff member is needed to keep the ICU clean and organized

3. Pick 2-3 medical charts at a time, starting with the critical patients, and start drawing up meds for multiple patients

4. Treat patients

• • Check gums, paws, and for edema (fluid that hasn't been absorbed from last SQ treatment)

  • Check catheter for patency and swelling

  • Administer medications

  • Offer a meatball size amount of food to patients. If showing signs of nausea, remove food from cage. Replace water bowl

  • Remove any solid materials from blankets with toilet paper. Check blankets for urine/fluids and change only if necessary

  • Syringe feed patients after anti-emetic medications have had time to take effect (30 minutes if SQ, 15 if IV)

  • Flush catheter with Heparin flush. Check IV bag to ensure there is enough fluids until the next shift. Check fluid rate and VTBI.

  • Fill out the medical chart for the correct shift!

  • Wash hands between patients

5. Check/continue laundry throughout shift

6. Double check all charts to ensure all patients have been treated fully

7. Carefully restore medications, ensuring that refrigerated meds are stored properly 

8. Double check all patients have enough fluids in their IV bags, all pumps are set to mL/hr, sufficiently set VTBIs/Preset (reset the amount accumulated)

9. Fill and send the End Of Shift Parvo Report

10. Clean the ICU - dishes, wipe down counters, fold laundry, sweep 

11. Turn off the drier (this is a fire hazard)

12. Wash hands and exit ICU following proper quarantine protocols 

Team Guidelines

• Signing up for shifts is a serious commitment and should be treated as such. The integrity of the Parvo Program depends on reliable volunteers. Be aware of the rules and consequences for Missing a Shift that you're scheduled for. Cancelling a shift should not be a common occurence, and cancelling a shift last minute is unacceptable unless its an emergency.

• Be aware of the requirements to Stay Active as a volunteer

• If a puppy seems to be in any amount pain, call/text the doctor. They are likely to prescribe pain medications.

• Consult the Medicine Chart posted in the Parvo ICU if you are unfamiliar with a medication. Do not be afraid to ask your co-volunteer questions as well!

• Have the veterinarians' and manager's phone number stored in your phone.

• Keep the ICU Clean!

Other Protocols

The following protocols where not covered in the previous days' material. You do not need to read through the all, just be aware that you can reference these protocols while in the ICU when needed:

• Intake Protocol

• Vaccine Protocol

• Deceased Puppy Protocol

• Blood Tests

• Discharge and Bathing Protocol

• Kittens with Panleuk