Barb McKenzie
September 2015
Barb
Mckenzie
,
RN, Care Manager
1st Surgical
CHI Franciscan Health - St. Francis Hospital
Federal Way
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

Barb McKenzie is a nurse care manager on First Surgical. Barb is a vital member of our care team who displays compassion, integrity and teamwork on a daily basis. While working with patients and family members Barb addresses all aspects of a situation to understand the patient as a whole. She fully invests herself as an advocate for our patients, assisting them in achieving healthy and safe outcomes. As a patient advocate, Barb collaborates with the whole care team from admission to discharge using her skills and knowledge to guide the team to success. Nurses and physicians know that they can depend on Barb to solve complex cases and resolve discharge barriers.

Barb takes it upon herself to find what a patient needs to help them be successful beyond what is required. One of the many examples of her dedication to her patients was how she helped one patient who was admitted for a fractured shoulder. The patient's injury would prevent her from working and the lack of income would force the patient to move back in with a relative. The patient had recently signed a new lease on an apartment but injured herself prior to her move. The patient was overwhelmed by the situation because the apartment complex did not allow her to break her lease. Barb discovered the patient was having these issues and, as usual, she went about solving them. Barb reached out to the corporate level of the apartment company and helped the patient break her lease without repercussions.

This story is just one in the numerous cases in which Barb dedicates her time to finding the overlooked barriers for her patients and solving them. She is committed to the success of each of her patients. It is not uncommon to see her coming in early or staying late to ensure that her patient's discharge is successful and safe. She has, on multiple occasions, called and faxed over one hundred facilities in attempts of placing patients. Barb McKenzie goes above and beyond to provide excellent care for the patients on this floor. Her work on 1st surgical is highly valued and appreciated by all.