The Department of Health embarked on Essential Newborn Care , a new program to addressed neonatal deaths in the country. Under the umbrella of the Unang Yakap Campaign, Essential Newborn Care is an evidenced based strategic intervention aimed at improving newborn care and helping cub neonatal mortality.

The Essential Newborn Care package is a four-step newborn care intervention undertaken to lessen newborn death.

1. Immediate and thorough drying to stimulate breathing after delivery of the baby
2. Provision of appropriate thermal care through mother and newborn skin-to skin contact maintaining a delivery room temperature of 25-28 degrees centigrade and wrapping the newborn with clean, dry cloth.
3. Properly timed clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, (1-3 minutes or until cord pulsation stops)
4. Immediate latching on and initiation of breastfeeding within first hour after birth.

Post-natal care required within 24 hours after birth also includes

• Cord care
• Breastfeeding
• Vitamin K injection
• Eye prophylaxis
• Delayed bathing until 6 hours of life
• BCG and first dose of Hepatitis B Immunization
• Newborn screening

The Essential Newborn Care Package aims to reduce newborn mortality rate from 13 deaths (2006 FPS, NSO) to 10 per 1000 live births by 2015.

I have encountered a lot of people being infected with viral conjunctivitis. The following is a health advisory from the Department of Health. Hand hygiene (hand washing with soap and water or use of hand sanitizer, best is still 70 % isopropyl alcohol) is the basic precaution for all common diseases .

Sore Eyes is a term often used for viral conjunctivitis

Incubation period or time from exposure to onset of symptoms: 5 -12 days

Mode of Transmission

• Direct contact by one’s eyes with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person.

• Touching of eyes with hands getting contact with surfaces, instruments, eye solutions, make-ups contaminated with the virus from an infected person.

• Entry of the virus through the eyes by swimming in poorly chlorinated pools.

Signs and Symptoms

• Begins in one eye and later affects both eyes.

• Watery to pus-like discharge.

• Redness of the eye with pain and/or itching sensation.

• Eyelids that are stuck together on awakening.

• In severe cases, pain of the eyes on exposure to sunlight and foreign-body solution.

Treatment

• There is no specific treatment during the acute phase (1-2 weeks).

• If eye discharge is profuse and pus-like or patient develops blurring of vision or severe pain, consultation with an ophthalmologist is advised.

Prevention

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.

• Minimize hand-to-eye contact.

• Use only own towels, eye drops, make-ups and applicators, sunglasses or eye glasses.

• Wear eye/sunglasses on a windy day to protect one’s eyes from foreign particles

• Avoid crowded places.

• Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons and hand rails with dilute bleach solution.

• Clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person should be washed

Source:

HEALTH ADVISORY, National Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Department of Health

Here some of the guidelines for Related Learning Experience (RLE) Exhibit, which are requirements for application to the NLE examination for 2010 (based on PRC BON Memorandum No. 03 Series 2008)

1. 5 Major Operations (maximum of 2 similar cases, 2 students may assist a complicated major surgery)
2. 5 Minor Operations (maximum of 2 similar cases; 1 case per student; major case cannot be used as substitute for minor scrubs)
3. 5 Handled Delivery Cases – 1 student per case
4. 5 Assisted Delivery Cases – 1 student per case
5. 5 Initial Cord Care Cases – 1 student per case
6. The Certification of Authenticity of O.R. / D.R. / Initial Cord Care Cases is subscribed and sworn to for free by authorized PRC officials per Office Order No. 7-259 dated September 24, 2007. There is no need to notarize each page of the RLE exhibits. To meet however the exigencies of beating the deadline for filing or towing a long line of applicants, Colleges of Nursing may opt to have notarization done by any independent notary public prior to filing the same documents to the PRC
   1. For major operation, 2 students may actually assist a major surgery or when the procedure takes two (2) hours or more, two (2) similar cases maybe allowed.
   2. For minor operation, two (2) similar cases maybe allowed but only one student may claim the cases.
   3. Deliveries in the community are to be supervised by a clinical instructor with Master’s Degree in Nursing or Allied Medical or Health-Related Sciences and signed by the same before the approval of the Dean.
   4. Note: Emphasis must be given to competencies developed during the intra-operative and intra-partal phase and a variety of cases is preferred.
   5. The faculty member, clinical coordinator, chief nurse and dean WITH ACTUAL ACCOUNTABILITIES in the RLE of the student must be the signatories to the forms.
   6. Student must accomplish as many forms depending on the number of institutions/agencies where the RLE have been conducted. OR-DR-Cord Care Cases completed in two or more hospitals or agencies must bear the signature of the Chief Nurses of the particular institutions or agencies.
   7. The Delivery Room and Initial Cord Care requirements of Registered Midwives who are nursing graduates applying for the Nurse Licensure Examination are hereby WAIVED, provided they submit a “photo copy” of their updated PRC Identification Card.
   8. For nursing graduates who have completed midwifery courses but have not practiced and/or are “under board” beyond five (5) years from date of midwifery graduation, a supervised case of one (1) actually handled delivery and cord care shall be required for the Nurse Licensure Examination properly documented and reported through the required Delivery/Initial Cord Care Forms.

Other tips in accomplishing your PRC BON Cases Form

1. Do not or never abbreviate anything from all your entries such as dates, ,operation performed, anesthesia route, diagnosis, name of hospitals, use the format (month/day/year) August 23, 2009
2. Name of patient , first name then surname eg Victoria Cruz

EX;  Pregnancy Uterine, 38-40 weeks Age of Gestation, Cephalic, In labor

Ex: Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction with Posterior Chamber Intra Ocular Lens

For cord dressing:

1. Date performed:  do not abbreviate
2. Name of the baby: write Boy/girl the surname   Correct: Baby boy Cruz
3. Gender of the baby: do not use boy/girl , Correct: Male
4. Name of the mother: first name and surname

For actual deliveries

1. Date of delivery: do not abbreviate or use numeric representations, use August 23, 2009
2. Time of delivery: do not use military time . use capital AM or PM, Correct: 5:00 PM
3. Gender of the baby: MALE or FEMALE only. Do not use girl of boy

Nursing case presentation can be a cause of anxiety for nursing students. It is considered one of the most dreaded moment in a nursing student life. But a well-prepared nursing case presentation can catapult a student to greatness and earn the respect of teachers plus of course a high grade.

I have been a panel and adviser for nursing case presentations for several years now and here are some tips and suggestions you can follow.

1. A thorough and complete nursing history is the key to the case. You have to have complete data, subjective data (nursing health history) and objective data (physical assessment, laboratory and diagnostic procedures)
2. Using the Gordon’s health patterns will definitely guide you in making your nursing diagnosis. List all appropriate actual and potential nursing diagnoses with supporting data, listed in priority.
3. When you do your pathophysiology, its better if it is presented like a concept map.
4. During the actual presentation, present only the salient points of the case. A PowerPoint presentation, in an outline or bullet form is the best.
5. Make sure you have consulted our adviser several times, to make sure you are on the right track e.g., are the problems of your client properly prioritized Are there gaps in your data? Is your NCP properly stated?
6. The panel would always prefer that everything is in order, most of the time, they don’t like interruptions or repetitions of the explanations. It has to be smooth and fast but with substance.
7. Do not make PowerPoint presentations in paragraph form. Don’t present the book word for word; make short and simple explanations. Most of the panel has poor visual acuity because of too much reading so keep your fonts readable.
8. Have a dry run of what you are to present. Read the evaluation tool, it’s a guide on how you will be graded.

Remember you are a nurse student. This is a learning activity. You have to do this on your own. Copying means plagiarism. You learn by doing. Good luck!

Love is in the air again. Lovers would be definitely thinking about what to give a special someone. How do you express love? You can’t count how much we love; much more there is not enough way of expressing it. One may just express it in words of love, a hug, a kiss, a touch, or just a smile.

Red Ribbon has come up with a cake that can sum up all the love you can give and share. The new Roses and Kisses Cake, sugar roses and Hershey’s kisses top this chocolate pound cake with chocolate chip filling, a delightful and meaningful Valentines gift.

To those chocolate lovers, experience the ultimate chocolate cake, Chocolate Heaven. Combination of brownies, chocolate mouse, icing and curls just too chocolatety! Yummy , really for chocolate addicts.

Red Ribbon’s Roses & Kisses and Chocolate Heaven Cakes, available for your loved ones this Valentines! Its more beautiful with Red Ribbon.

Is your baby (infants, 0-1 years old) sleeping late or having a hard time falling asleep? Are you becoming an anxious mum because your little boy or girl’s sleep is affecting your quality time with your husband or rules your mood for the next day?

Relax mom, Johnson’s Baby Bedtime is here to be your savior. With their new Johnson’s Baby Bedtime advocacy of a bedtime routine to improve baby’s sleep at night, it’s sure will reduce mom’s anxiety. Johnson’s Baby Bedtime is basically a three-step procedure, done to babies as a routine every night.

Step 1 : a warm bath or “punas”

Step 2: soothing massage

Step 3: some quiet activities

Dr Luis Rivera, MD , a pediatrician and member of the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine emphasized the importance of sleep for infants growth and development. A sound and longer sleep for babies’ means more growth hormones will be released thus influencing bones and muscles to develop.

My three kids, Dianne (20),Jeric (18) and Roxanne (15), were Johnson’s babies. Since I was a working mum, I used to give them a bath at 6 or 7 pm when they were infants.  All along I was practicing the three- step Johnson’s Baby bedtime routine. Massage was applying either Johnson’s baby oil or lotion. At night I breastfeed, so I didn’t have to stand up and mix their milk formula. I swear, I have never experienced sleepless nights taking care of them maybe my body’s warmth and mummy’s Johnson’s baby powder smell was an added help. I can attest that the three- step Johnson’s Baby bedtime routine proved effective for my kid’s health.

For more details about this Johnson’s help to mothers who have growing kids, visit their very informative website.

http://www.babycenter.com.ph/bedtime

Multiply.com has established partnerships with DigiPrint in the Philippines to have your pictures printed and deliver these pictures at your doorstep. For a minimum amount of P 300.00 you can pay via paypal and credit card.

This was announced by David Hersh, Multiply vice-president for business development in a radio interview at Aksyon Ngayon, DZMM. He said 5 million Filipino are registered users of multiply and at least 1 billion photos uploaded by Filipino multiply users.

After my clinic work , I took a stroll around Cubao, I had the chance to pass by the new Ali Mall. I remembered that this used to be the place we frequent when we were in high school. It was the “in thing “ during that time (late 70’s). Some portions are still undergoing renovation and I’d love to blog about the changes in the area.

I passed by National bookstore to buy some school needs and was glad to find the newest magazine “Sharon at Home”, its first issue. In “Sharon at Home”, she writes about her “real life”, the life she treasures most, her life with Kiko, KC, Miel and Frankie, her kitchen and books, most especially her home.

The first issue of "Sharon At Home" Magazine (Jan - Mar 2010)

Throughout “Sharon at Home” magazine, her handwritten notes can be read. Sharon’s endorsements are all over the magazine too. Grab a copy of “ Sharon at Home”, ‘Good beginnings –its our first issue!’ priced at P 120.00.

Sharon's handwritten note (click to zoom)

You can email sharonathomemag@gmail.com, or visit her Facebook fan page , or multiply page sharonathome.multiply.com.

I cannot ask for more in 2009, I didn’t ask so much or wished for more, I just moved on and do whatever is apt to do. I have traveled a long journey but at the end, it was a good journey with my kids at the center and me just behind.

You know how mummies are, they never got tired of talking about their children specially if they have achieved something through their own efforts.

First, we have so many bonding activities and likewise shared common interests. One secret that I can share with other mummies is that I am always interested in the things they do, I always try to be involved and be a cool mum. That’s the reason why I got into blogging, and now enjoying every bit of it. I would remind them, “ o bakit ka pa hindi nag blog? Or “ nag blog ka na ba?”, or a text message “ ma meron event sa Tuesday, mag register ba tayo?”

Second, Dianne and Jeric fared very well in their school and other endeavor, Dianne graduating and eventually became an RN, Jeric’s Brinknotes won as best podcast in the Philippine Blog Awards and he is doing very well at UPOU. My youngest Roxanne is 15, she into campus journalism and adept in using IMAC.

Me, I am into a lot of things, very busy but thats the way it is. I just have to deal with my premenopausal symptoms.

I welcome year 2010, it’s a good life, starting the long journey again, but this time, I’ll make sure it’s a light journey; I am leaving excess baggage behind.

Posting the letter of Arellano University CHAIRMAN AND CEO FRANCISCO P.V. CAYCO TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHILIPPINE STAR. This is in line with an article in the Philippine star , November 25, 2009 issue,

“A total of 152 nursing schools face closure for registering poor passing percentages in the nursing licensure examinations over the past five years.

However, Emmanuel Angeles, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman, said the 152 nursing schools will be given another chance in next year’s nursing examinations.

Metro Manila has the most number of erring schools among the 152 poor performing schools: Arellano University-Manila, Arellano University-Pasay….. “

CHAIRMAN AND CEO FRANCISCO P.V. CAYCO WRITES A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE PHILIPPINE STAR

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

This has reference to the article in the November 25, 2009 issue of The Philippine Star entitled 152 nursing schools face closure for poor board performance and the subsequent article of November 28, 2009 bannered CHED list of poorly performing nursing schools questioned, both written by Rainier Allan Ronda, which included Arellano University Manila and Pasay in the list. We take strong exceptions to both printed articles for being factually misplaced and inaccurate! Foremost, Arellano University has a long standing legacy of nursing education in the Philippines having an established and recognized nursing program since 1954.

Our College of Nursing in Manila is Level I Formal accredited where it enjoys a deregulated status conferred jointly by CHED and PACUCOA, for having passed the stringent criteria over and above the minimum educational standards required by the government in areas of faculty, instruction, library, physical facilities, laboratories, student personnel services and student assistance program.

Inspite of the plea of CHED and no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the University froze its tuition fees in the last 3 years to enable student to gain access to affordable quality education. With the conviction that quality education should be accorded to all who seeks the same, the University has an open admission policy but maintains its academic standards through selective retention. Our tuitions fees are currently less than Php 700.00 per unit, one of the lowest for private college education in the industry which through efficient and cost effective management still allows us to produce world class nurses.

Since 2008, we produced several nursing graduates who placed in the top 10 in the Nursing Licensure Exams in the persons of Roberto Asuncion (5th place), Paul Fabian Gumabao (9th place), and Michelle Alejandro Barberan (3rd place), plus many more who landed in the top 25 placers. We have as of last known count 11 of our nursing graduates who recently were appointed as deans of various nursing schools in Metro Manila as well as substantial numbers of Chief Nurses in private and government hospitals both here and abroad.

Our record and history speak for itself because we have earned success and respect in the nursing profession. Our worldwide alumni and the accomplishments they have achieved is a testimony to the quality of education we have given them. Our College of Nursing is an institution in the health care industry both here and abroad. We have established a name and reputation which we are proud of and which we will die for because we have earned them through hard work, honesty and integrity.

This is precisely what we are fighting for when you published your November 25, 2009 article which we strongly claim has no factual and legal basis considering the series of CHED pronouncements, contained in a number of issuances including CHED Memo No. 14 dated April 28, 2009 and Resolution No. 378-2009 dated October 2, 2009, where the standards for poor performance are clearly outlined and the parameters defined. Clearly, this does not include Arellano University.

It is regrettable that the rejoinder in your article of November 28, 2009 did not carry the essence and most salient points of the discussions we had with your reporter, Rainier Allan Ronda who presented it out of context.

The distorted and irresponsible report has caused tremendous anxiety among our stakeholders, administrators, faculty members, alumni, students, parents and our entire University community. The implication it created in the minds of the public has caused enormous damage to the University’s reputation and goodwill which could have been averted by the simple act of understanding, verifying and ascertaining the facts prior to printing.

Arellano University remains committed to provide equitable access to quality education as we have always done so in the past and stand firm on the fundamental principles of excellence and high educational standards that the founder of this University has ingrained in all of us as a tradition.

FRANCISCO P.V. CAYCO

Chairman and CEO- Arellano University