My husband was taken to our local ER in Tennessee. He was then transported to Parkridge in Chattanooga, where he was placed on the fourth floor. During the night he progressively got worse and by 9:00 am the next morning we were waiting on an ultrasound of the gallbladder.
At about 12:20, Angela, was doing a lunch fill in for my husband's nurse. We called the nurses' desk and asked for help. My husband had started having great difficulty breathing. Angela and the nursing assistant promptly came into the room. Within a very short time, but what felt like a lifetime, Angela and the nursing assistant has assessed the situation and Angela stepped up and found a hospitalist to do an exam ASAP. As soon as the hospitalist finished a quick exam and realized there was a serious problem, she called for x-ray and CT. In the x-rays, it showed a perforation in my husband's bowel wall and surgery took place within the hour.
Dr. N removed approximately a foot of intestines, 8 Liters of escaped air and bowel contents, and repaired the perforation. I truly believe if not for Angela's compassion and training, my husband would have been in a major crisis. I truly believe she saved him. I believe where greatness is shown, praise should be given. Angela Hughes is a true asset to Parkridge hospital.