October 2016
Daniel
Griffiths
,
RN, BSN
8N
UPMC Presbyterian
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Dan is always going above and beyond for all of his patients. A patient was admitted for a parathyroidectomy, and needed to be catheterized due to inability to urinate. The patient was very concerned and upset with this news because a previous RN had done the procedure and caused the patient great pain. Before attempting to catheterize the patient, Dan ordered a smaller catheter, and called and called central to get this to the floor. Once the catheter arrived Dan went ahead with the procedure, which caused the patient far less pain. The next day the surgeons told the patient that despite the efforts of the catheter he would need to be discharged with a foley and follow up with urology. This is a patient who lives alone and did not feel comfortable with the idea of caring for this at home, and explained his worries to Dan. Dan advocated for the patient and came to a conclusion with the MD that trying Flomax would be a better option for this patient. The patient received the medication and was later discharged home with no catheter, making his stay and discharge less worrisome. The patient continued to express his gratitude stating that, "Dan is an exceptionally empathetic, knowledgeable, and very capable and skillful nurse. He exemplifies a person who lives his passion and makes a real difference in the lives of his patients. I am thankful that I happened to be one of his patients."
This is only one example of the kind of care that Dan gives his patients every day and he deserves to be recognized for his outstanding work.