Caroline Connell, RN

As the department RN for a large clinic staffed with non-nursing support staff, Caroline is often called to assess and triage patients with various clinical issues. She was called to check on a patient's family member who was feeling dizzy. Caroline performed a quick assessment and determined the patient was hypotensive and somewhat confused. The patient agreed to go to the ED and Caroline quickly escorted the patient in a wheelchair. The patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and sepsis, admitted, and the sepsis protocol was immediately started. The patient and her family member had driven more than 3 hours to the clinic for a scheduled appointment. Caroline's thorough and quick actions likely saved this patient's life!