John Mejesh
October 2022
John
Mejesh
,
BSN, RN
Nursing Unit 3C
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston
,
TX
United States
John was really concerned about the patient’s condition and requested to have the attending assess the patient as well as order a KUB /CT scan abdomen.
I nominate John for the DAISY Award for thinking critically through situations to optimize a safe outcome for the veteran. John received care for this veteran who was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia/ COVID positive. Upon assessment, it was brought to John’s attention that the patient’s abdomen was distended but non-tender; the patient was slightly tachycardic and had reduced urine output. He notified the team who assessed the patient, said it could be due to constipation, and ordered IV fluids. He was constantly in contact with the team updating the patient's status.
Since there was no improvement in the patient’s condition even after a while, John contacted the team again to reassess the patient. The resident reassessed the patient and said to continue to monitor. The patient had some increased breathing work. John was concerned about the patient’s condition and requested that the attending assess the patient and order a KUB /CT scan of the abdomen. Finally, upon his persuasion, the resident had the attending assess the patient and ordered KUB & CT abdomen. As CT scan results showed concern for a large hemoperitoneum concerning perforated viscus, the patient was taken up for emergent exploratory laparotomy. Upon exploration, the patient was found to have a perforated descending colon, and a left hemicolectomy was done. The patient was safely transferred to ICU after surgery.
A great patient safety event was averted due to the timely intervention and advocacy of this RN. John stepped up and acted prudently when he could have easily overlooked this particular case. John is a new employee at VA and relatively new to the nursing profession with 2 years of nursing experience. In addition to this event, there are many other incidents where John’s due diligence checks have helped to prevent the harm from reaching the patients. John has always been a great role model for everyone. Johns's hard work and diligence in supporting everyone in the unit are commendable, and Johns's ability to work with calmness and patience even when busy is highly appreciable. John’s customer service skills are exemplary. John is one of the friendliest people I know, and they always arrive with a smile on their face and a happy greeting for their co-workers. They treat everyone with respect. Despite the overwhelming amount of work that everyone has to do, John consistently finds ways to help co-workers. John is also very flexible with their schedule and assignments. Above all, John is a compassionate human being, and even though they have only been in the VA for a couple of months, all of John's coworkers consider working with such a wonderful person a great honor and privilege.
Since there was no improvement in the patient’s condition even after a while, John contacted the team again to reassess the patient. The resident reassessed the patient and said to continue to monitor. The patient had some increased breathing work. John was concerned about the patient’s condition and requested that the attending assess the patient and order a KUB /CT scan of the abdomen. Finally, upon his persuasion, the resident had the attending assess the patient and ordered KUB & CT abdomen. As CT scan results showed concern for a large hemoperitoneum concerning perforated viscus, the patient was taken up for emergent exploratory laparotomy. Upon exploration, the patient was found to have a perforated descending colon, and a left hemicolectomy was done. The patient was safely transferred to ICU after surgery.
A great patient safety event was averted due to the timely intervention and advocacy of this RN. John stepped up and acted prudently when he could have easily overlooked this particular case. John is a new employee at VA and relatively new to the nursing profession with 2 years of nursing experience. In addition to this event, there are many other incidents where John’s due diligence checks have helped to prevent the harm from reaching the patients. John has always been a great role model for everyone. Johns's hard work and diligence in supporting everyone in the unit are commendable, and Johns's ability to work with calmness and patience even when busy is highly appreciable. John’s customer service skills are exemplary. John is one of the friendliest people I know, and they always arrive with a smile on their face and a happy greeting for their co-workers. They treat everyone with respect. Despite the overwhelming amount of work that everyone has to do, John consistently finds ways to help co-workers. John is also very flexible with their schedule and assignments. Above all, John is a compassionate human being, and even though they have only been in the VA for a couple of months, all of John's coworkers consider working with such a wonderful person a great honor and privilege.