WWTC's Health Occupations programs hosted the fifth annual “Scratch 'n Patch Hospital" for all ten of its partner schools (Bearden, Dustin, Graham, Hanna, Mason, Moss, Wetumka, Weleetka, Okemah and Holdenville). Approximately 300 second-graders were invited to participate in the pretend-hospital activity February 26th - 28th.
In the weeks leading up to the big event, students in the WWTC health programs visited the partner schools to "pre-admit" the children. All WWTC health programs took part in this activity which is designed to provide a pediatric clinical experience for our students and to educate children about careers in the healthcare field. An added benefit is that it may make children less afraid of hospitals in case they, or one of their family members, must have surgery or be admitted to a hospital.
Second graders arrived at WWTC just like it was a real hospital. The Medical Office Technology (MOT) program admitted each "patient" and gave them a medical identification wristband. They received an insurance card and play money.
Health Careers Certification (HCC) explained the importance of x-rays and lab work and why a patient must have blood work done before they can be admitted for surgery. A mock EKG was performed to make sure that everyone’s heart was in good working order before being sent into surgery.
Next, they proceeded to the Practical Nursing (PN) program which provided the pre-op and post-op care for the patient. The PN students prepped the patient for surgery and then provided the post-operative care after surgery. This program was also responsible for discharging the patient from the hospital.
In the Surgical Technology (ST) program, patients were prepped for their mock surgery. Each patient was predetermined to have a broken arm, leg or finger. ST students reviewed the surgical instruments and showed the second-graders the operating lights and the anesthesiology equipment. Each patient left with a gauze-wrapped band-aid covered with stickers and smiley faces.
After the patient finished, they returned to Medical Office Technology where they were expected to pay their bill and received their discharge papers. Just like any true-to-life medical situation, there was plenty of waiting time, but while the second-grade patients waited they were able to enjoy the playroom or watch medical cartoons like "The Magic School Bus". At the end of their trip, they each received a goody bag with surgical mask, hat and booties, coloring books, pencils and other fun souvenir items. Students also had the opportunity to tour and see the inside of an ambulance.
WWTC’s “Scratch N Patch Hospital" recently received national and state attention when it was presented to educators across the United States this past December at the 2007 Association of Career and Technology Education National Convention in Las Vegas.
“Scratch N Patch Hospital ” and the WWTC health programs were awarded the 2005 Pride Award at the Oklahoma Career and Technology Education Summer Conference. The award recognizes Technology Centers for their efforts in going above and beyond the regular classroom responsibilities and for promoting career and technology education. “Scratch N Patch Hospital ” also placed first in the nation for the Community Service Project at the 2005 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) national convention held in Nashville, Tennessee.
