As a leader and mentor to my unit, teamwork, and excellence are what pops into mind. Working in the ED is not only challenging but also where we make a first and lasting impression on staff, patients, family and anyone who enters our unit. Teamwork is making sure that the staff feels supported, but also that we provide the BEST care to our patients collaboratively from providers, phlebotomy, radiology, registration, security and our fabulous RNs and EMTs.
We recently had a patient who presented to our ED early morning that had multiple days of fever and diarrhea. We triaged the 23-month-old and our provider ordered some diagnostic exams to determine diagnosis and treatment plan. We were all shocked that the baby had a lactic of 8.6, WBC 0.1, and quickly deteriorated and knew that time was the issue and we needed all hands on deck. We intubated the patient, called code white and did what we do every day to try and save this little angel. Every staff member in the ED immediately mobilized to ensure the best care was given tirelessly to help this baby, maintain empathetic and professional communication with the family all while caring for the other patients in the ED, deescalating two code greys and tending to ambulances coming through our doors with sick patients without halt. We worked as a team for over five hours to stabilize this baby to ensure that her transportation to UCLA was safe and quick. We had staff prepare medications, some staff at bedside administering blood products and multiple drips, and some staff for support of this little angel who we all knew had a different plan. We do this every day, work through code blues, code whites, and many code greys, but we do it as a team and truly believe that no team member is left behind.
Our mission statement for 2019 is TEAMWORK: T-talented staff, E-excellence in all we do, A-accountability for our work, and M-make it happen! As you can see, what we do, why we do, and how we do it is for the better of our patients and their families. I am exceptionally honored and blessed to lead some of the most compassionate hardworking, and talented individuals that make up White Memorial's Emergency Department.