Saturday, June 1st: NRI Academy of Science

Tom and I enjoyed our first breakfast ever at the NRI Academy General Hospital at 8 am sharp. I was still sleepy then since I woke up around 2 am that morning and went back to bed around 6. We devoured a delicious meal, high in carbohydrate composed of tea with milk, deep fried pastries, Indian flat bread, and samba soup.

Breakfast

Tom, 1st Indian breakfast experience!

At 9 AM, the medical administrator came to our room, and escorted us to the Superintendent of the hospital. The Superintendent affirmed that we were welcomed in their facilities. He told us not to hesitate to contact him if needed. The medical administrator showed us his office as well. Then, we went down to the lobby where the main pharmacy is located to meet the pharmacist in charge, who is also our preceptor. Next, they drove us to the medical college where we meet the Treasurer of the Medical College. He told us that he was from Chicago, and gave us a quick run down of their activities and requested that a cellular phone be provided to us in case we need assistance.

NRI  Medical College

They drove us back to the general hospital where the PIC gave us the tour of the entire hospital, including a thorough visit of the four pharmacy entities that operate in the hospital.

The Main (outpatient) pharmacy is located on the ground floor, right at the entrance of the hospital, and is opened 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Main Pharmacy, NRI General Hospital

The Central pharmacy is situated on the first floor, yet at the back of the hospital. The Central pharmacy replenishes inventories of other pharmacies and wards at their requests, and is responsible ordering and receiving shipments. The inpatient (IP) pharmacy and the operation theatre (OT) pharmacy are both located on the second floor. The IP pharmacy serves hospitalized patients while OT pharmacy supplies only surgery related equipments and drugs to the OT department of the hospital.

The PIC discussed each pharmacy work schedule, staffing, storage requirements and licensure. He personally accompanied us to several departments in the hospital to learn about their functions and their links to pharmacy. Tom and I had to opportunity to ask questions and talk to many physicians or nurses in charge.

We visited all the 5 levels of the hospital. A lot of walking and climbing of stairs were involved as the elevators were reserved for physicians and critically ill patients.

We will be working Monday to Saturday, and off Sundays.

Tom and I were ecstatic to realize that the Internet was installed in our room by the time we returned.

Our typical lunch /dinner  (flat bread, curry, soup + rice and Indian yogurt)