Brenda has been a member of the Operating Room team for many years. During her tenure, Brenda has shared her expertise while performing in the role of a preceptor for multiple perioperative interns and assisting with orientation for a multitude of new staff. She has served many times as a Charge Nurse and has been sought out by providers as an expert in the care of surgical patients. Brenda is quick to voice concerns during times of change and will aid to help resolve issues.
Recently, Brenda was personally responsible for preventing a potential patient harm event. One of Brenda's patients had an implanted mechanical device that could have altered the flow of electrical current from the cautery unit directly to the spinal cord. Brenda recognized the problem and stopped the procedure prior to any patient harm. Her expertise and understanding of the need to advocate for the patient allowed her to speak up. She then communicated the need to bring an additional provider to disable the device and consulted with that provider as to the best placement of the grounding pad to optimize safety. The consulting provider communicated to operating room leadership that Brenda's exemplary behavior had likely prevented significant harm.
On many occasions, Brenda is specifically requested by surgeons to be assigned to their procedures. When she was singled out by a provider to help troubleshoot a specific patient flow problem, she gladly participated in "leading the charge" on the operating room side of the issue. She is a strong patient advocate and works with the surgical team to provide optimal patient care.