Many individuals began their weekend day as normal and many of us were getting ready for the workday. Working in the OR/Recovery room we tend to be the faces that many of the patients don't see. However, this weekend day I was greeted by Jane Squibb running onto the PACU asking for a stretcher.
I could feel her urgency and asked what else she needed. She asked me to follow behind her with the crash cart into the hallway. Unsure what was going on I rushed to push the crash cart behind and found a team gathering around a young man who had an apparent overdose. We had a provider stabilizing the individual's airway and I began to assist as needed getting things from the crash cart.
Jane was quick to get the patient on the monitor, establish IV access, administer Narcan, all while remaining calm under the pressure and urgency of the situation. Once the medications took effect the patient became responsive. He was able to then be transported to the ED for further triage and care. The responding individuals then returned to work and continue our day.
Jane, however, stayed behind with myself and another responding RN to help clean up the area as it was one of the public restrooms. The first part of the story alone makes Jane an incredible asset to the hospital and an integral part of saving this young man's life. But it doesn't quite stop there.
The individual had a friend with him. Jane continued to talk to this woman after the code. She was patient and concerned about what was happening. The woman vocalized her social situation and her difficulty trying to become sober. Jane took time to come to our unit and inquire if we had any resources we could provide this woman. As we typically do discharges from the PACU she really, truly wanted to help this woman. This was well over and beyond anything required of her.
Both these individuals were not patients of the hospital, they just happened to be here. Jane provided life-saving measures and led the code team in a calm, professional, and successful manner. Then, she continued to try and help in any way she could to provide resources to aid these individuals even further. I've had the pleasure of working in a mirroring unit from Jane for the past two years. All I have to say is great things about what a pleasant and welcoming environment she provides. I cannot think of an individual who would be more deserving of the DAISY award.