April 2022
Catherine
Hurtado
,
BSN, RN
Medical ICU
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa
,
FL
United States
Catherine's clinical decision-making, communication, and attitude are exemplary.
Recently, the hepatology service accepted a critically ill, fulminant liver failure patient from an outside hospital for urgent liver transplant evaluation. The patient's nurse was Catherine Hurtado. The patient arrived on a Saturday when support staff and ancillary services are more limited. the patient required extensive blood work, monitoring, and a whole battery of tests and consultants that were; all equally urgent. Catherine was excellent in prioritizing, communicating with multiple consultants, and relaying information back to the transplant team. When there was an issue with the patient's Heart Cath, she communicated with the fellow, then the cardiology attending physician, and was able to relay to me exactly what the patient needed in order for the testing to be completed. Despite less than respectful treatment from some members of the medical staff, she remained professional and committed to meeting every demand. She showed excellent judgement in holding sedating medications that were prescribed despite hepatology requesting that they not be given. She was comforting to the patient who was in pain but unable to receive narcotics due to her liver failure. She worked tirelessly for 2 days on this patient, all while taking care of her other patient as well attribute much of the patient's recovery to the care she received in MICU. Catherine made my job immensely easier. I knew I could leave the bedside and attend to other patients because I had no doubt that I would be notified instantly of any changes or issues. Catherine's clinical decision-making, communication, and attitude are exemplary. She has a true gift, and I am very grateful and proud to have worked with her.