Disease Detectives

Campers put on their investigative hats each day for Ecil Miller’s Disease Detectives class. Last week, campers performed a urinalysis and interpreted the results. Each lab station had all the proper tools including specimen containers, test strips, disposable pipets, and the necessary lab data chart to mark the results. Instructional tables illustrated the color of urine, and possible causes for the different types of color. A yellow orange to orange color could mean carrots might be a part of the diet, a certain type of antibiotics are in the system, or the disease of bilirubin form obstructive jaundice is a possibility.

Each group tested the pH, specific gravity, glucose, protein, and color of the three different simulated specimens provided. With protective glasses and gloves on, Tallen carefully measured the results of the gravity and Nouri confirmed her numbers.

“What test results would you expect from a person with diabetes mellitus?” asked Miller.  “Are you seeing any abnormalities in your results?” Students filled out their charts and began interpreting the numbers and discussing which results might be of concern according to the instructional charts.

This week, students were able to get an idea of what the life of a surgeon is like with the laparoscopic trainers. The trainer ports offer a realistic training experience where the students were able to try to cut a circle with surgical tools and make stitches on a suture pad in a laparoscopic setting.

When a camper finished cutting a circle, Miller would say, “most people cannot do what you just did, good job!”