I went into RGH and had Quadruple bypass surgery 5 days later. Was cleared to go home and began experiencing SVTs a few days later and returned to RGH was cleared again after a week. I spent a lot of time in ward 4400, Cardiology. There are many fine nurses and technicians who work on this ward - but I MUST point out one really exemplifies what the nursing profession is all about. That person is Mrs. Ashley Wright.

Her Passion for Nursing - While waiting for the bypass surgery Ashley was attentive to my needs. Where her passion really shone is when I would have questions - about upcoming events or procedures; any changes to my meds; about my pain and pain levels. If she knew the answer, she would tell me. If she didn't know she would follow up with the in-charge RN or the PA currently available on the case. She would personally respond herself with the individual to make sure I got the information I needed to be comfortable with my situation there. When I had an SVT attack, she along with other nurses and the PA entered my room. While in an emergency I was able to use a vagal maneuver to correct the situation. During our conversations over her rounds, she remembered that conversation and was able to help me, and give me the confidence to do that again during a nighttime attack. Only Ashley and her true passion for her career could help me get out of a dire situation. I am so grateful for her help!

Clinical Excellence - Over the course of three to four days, I went through a series of med changes to try to come up with the right cocktail to keep the SVT under control. Many individuals would tell me we are adjusting your electrolytes, or adjusting your meds. Ashley took the time to explain each medicine, either the addition or removal of each med, the change in dose and the expectations of what the change meant to accomplish or any side effects I could expect as a result of the change. Ashley's attention to these little details was exact and true. She knew the information and if she didn't, she would make sure the PA knew my concerns and answered my questions.

Respect for patients and families - I have always been the rock of my family. Going for the quadruple bypass was a shock - I had zero symptoms prior to the surgery - but the SVT episodes were unnerving. Ashley would take the time to talk to me. It wasn't always about pain levels, or bowel movements, she took the time to understand where I was in my healing process. When I left the first time, I was absolutely 100% that I had this beat and I would have a full recovery ahead of schedule. Once I had DAYS of SVT issues only one person inquired about how I felt about it. Ashley and I had a great conversation and I told her my confidence in my healing took a big hit. I wasn't so sure I was going to beat the SVTs. For the first time in my life, I told someone I was scared. For me, my wife, my 3 daughters. Ashley looked at me and told me FACTS about SVTs. How common they are in these situations, how there are so many ways to combat them with drugs, cardioversion, ablation, etc. She reminded me that I beat it through the vagal maneuver and although she read it in a textbook, I was the first person she ever saw perform that little medical trick. She told me that all the nurses were talking about me like I was some kind of hero. I can't tell you how great that made me feel. It restored my confidence and my inner strength to want to be healed. Over the next few incidents, she was encouraging and reassuring. I am not sure how I would have made it through this without her help.

Since this event occurred during Covid-19 times it has been extremely tough having only 2 out of 4 immediate family members be able to visit me in the hospital. Both my wife and eldest daughter would come in and would always bombard me with so many questions. When were your last meds? What meds did you take? Any of these did the dosage change? .... Many times, when Ashley was there administering to me, she would politely and calmly explain all of that information to my wife, and then an hour later to my daughter. She never complained and she could understand and relate to the fact that they cared for me very much and was always happy to help. She gave my family the confidence we needed to understand that I was in the best possible care at RGH.

Ashley Wright - with her professionalism, knowledge, attention to detail, follow-through, and compassion for the patients' well-being, her efforts should be used as the Standards for Care at RGH! Clone her! You need more nurses like Mrs. Wright!