I had the opportunity to observe nursing excellence. Jenny Gunter is the charge RN in the CV lab. Jenny works in the rooms and coordinates all of the care provided for CV lab patients. Jenny is the first call for providers, schedulers, nursing, and technical staff.
A 24-year-old patient came into the CV Lab for an endomyocardial biopsy. The patient was being prepped for the endomyocardial biopsy when she experienced a lethal heart rhythm. There was a marked change in her mental status and she was barely responsive.
Immediately the physician and team went into a lifesaving mode. Jenny, without missing a beat, put on her lead to assist the RN and team in the room. Once additional team members arrived to assist with the case, Jenny went to talk to the patient's husband. The patient's husband, stunned to hear the update and change in his wife's condition, sat quietly staring off. Jenny continued to update the patient's husband as the patient was placed on VA ECMO.
Concerned, Jenny contacted Linda Wagner on 3300 who was caring for the patient, to discuss if there were additional family members who could be with the patient's husband. Linda came down to talk to the patient's husband. The minute Linda touched his shoulder he began to cry. Jenny not only was helping coordinate care, but she also knew the patient's husband needed someone he could trust.