9.7.2011-- a [different] kind of history.

Today in clinic, we learned how to read a patient's health history form and chart it on the treatment record.  It was a lot of information at one time, but reviewing it and practicing it with our partner helped a whole lot!  It seems like there are so many rules to remember and follow: HHX, HH/Rx, medical alerts, underline this and that in red pen, list the dosage of medications taken by the pt., sign here, have the pt. and instructor sign there, be kind and gain trust, be educated and speak in terms that the patient can understand, and the list goes on and on.  It was a bit overwhelming at first, but as the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect", and we are all on our way to becoming the BEST hygienists out there-- I just have to continue to take it ONE day at a time.  That is the key to survival-- in my [green] eyes.  At the end of our clinic session, we watched, "If Saliva Were Red". . . enough said.  (Okay, okay, I'll expound.)  It was horrific and I hope and pray that I never see a patient that has red saliva-- GROSS!  Everything looked absolutely contaminated, and it was such an eye opener-- we really need to take the topics pertaining to contamination seriously.  Today was. . . long: but yet again- much was accomplished, and I have made history....today!  :)