Debra Layton
November 2018
Debra
Layton
,
RN-ONC
4 North Surgical Unit
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Williamsburg
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

Nurse Layton entered my room during her change of shift rounds. Many factors led to my post-operative spinal fusion pain to be at the level of 10. I was truly inconsolable. Nurse Layton immediately went into action with non-pharmacological pain interventions of ice packs, repositioning, and a little tough love talk. She appropriately stated that she had no control over the reasons why my pain level had escalated to that level, but that she was going to make every attempt to correct the issue. The change in my pain medication earlier to Dilaudid was not effective. This medication had no positive results and was scheduled at longer intervals. My medication for spasms was not working well in conjunction with the analgesic. My surgeon was on call but was in the OR and was essentially unreachable. Nurse Layton did not give up on me. She kept trying to reach him and he finally came to my room. She was a strong advocate for me to get a more effective medication regimen and as a result, I had new medication orders written and relief was achieved within one hour of med administration. It took her 3 hours to get new orders, but her non-pharmacological interventions were in place in minutes after she discovered my problem. I know she was working very hard on my behalf with repeated calls to the MD as well as checking on me all the while juggling the rest of her workload! I have been a nurse for 38 years and I recognize dedication when I see it!