Hospital collaboration at it best
“The Rheumatology team have made a big difference to our family and Jayln. He has been treated so well by all of the team and they have gone above and beyond especially looping in with our local nurse Tina to help with his treatment,” said Rebecca, Jalyn’s Mum.
Jayln had a sore foot. After a couple of days, it had started to swell and turn purple, and his temperature rose to 39 degrees and he developed an itchy rash.
His mum, Rebecca, took Jayln to their closest hospital in Warren, in Central NSW. Jayln was then transferred to Dubbo Hospital where Dr Dominic Fitzgerald, one of the PRN doctors, referred the family to the Rheumatology Department at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Dr Singh-Grewal, Paediatric Rheumatologist diagnosed Jayln with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA). SJIA is one of the subtypes of arthritis in children and teenagers. “Systemic” means it affects not only the joints but causes fevers, rash and sometimes other parts of the body. In Jayln’s case, it caused fever, rash and swelling in his ankles, knees, hands, and wrists.
Once his condition established, more was required to coordinate care locally so Jayln’s family didn’t have to drive the 477km to Westmead every fortnight.
The Rheumatology team, liaised with the Dubbo Paediatric Ward and pharmacist to allow Jayln to receive his two-hour Intravenous Tocilizumab.
Then, Tina Robinson, Registered Nurse at Warren Hospital, and a colleague volunteered to learn how to mix and administer Jayln’s medication.
“My colleague and I went to Dubbo Hospital to be taught by Pharmacist there about the specific mixing technique for Jayln’s medication. Over six months, we learnt how to use certain devices to mix the specific quantities needed. For each mix, we need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure the medication isn’t compromised during the mixing process,” said Tina.
This means Tina can administer Jayln’s medication through an IV drip every fortnight for the two-hour appointment. Being closer to home has helped ease some stress for the family and allows Jayln to reduce the days he misses school.