Karen Paladino has been an OHSU nurse for many years and specializes in electrophysiology; however, she has become a resource for most sections within the cardiology service line. When someone in the clinic has a question, Karen is the go-to resource. I appreciate asking Karen for advice because she constantly thinks about what is best for the patient. When I ask her a question, I can be guaranteed to hear the truthful answer about what it will take to provide the best care to our patients. Also, no matter how many challenges the clinic faces, Karen continues to stay focused on the patient and thinks about what she can do to improve their care. Our cardiology clinic recently had a large turnover of staff, and Karen has stepped up to cross cover roles because of her ability and her ethical mindset to make sure our patients continue to get the care they deserve.
Here is an example of Karen in action: One Friday, I was in the clinic with Karen and she was running behind after seeing many patients. She was behind on the documentation for 14 patients. As we approached closing time Karen was in a room with her last patient of the day, a PA entered our office and asked me if Karen could perform a device check on her patient. I explained Karen's situation and asked her to reschedule the patient for the following week. I already knew Karen planned to come in over the weekend to complete her charting, but wanted to save her from adding another stressor to her already long week. What I didn't know was the patient was a young man with a congenital heart defect, a heart arrhythmia requiring an implantable cardiac device, diabetes, and is unable to afford the cost of many of his visits, so he rarely comes to clinic. When Karen came out of the room, I explained to her that the PA requested a device check on this patient, but I told her to reschedule. She asked who the patient was, and, the instant I mentioned his name, Karen immediately perked up and said, "I need to see him." Karen knew the patient, his history, and the likelihood of him missing his next appointment. She briskly walked next door and caught the patient as he was exiting the clinic. With her jovial spirit, Karen instantly connected with the patient, made him feel at ease, and she took him back for a device check. The patient's device hadn't been checked in over two and a half years, and Karen knew that this fragile young man was at high risk for slipping through the cracks and having a bad outcome. "Not on my watch," she told me. Tears came to my eyes as Karen's passion and care for her patients came to light.
Even though she was buried in charting and had to rearrange her weekend to make up for this she never for an instant thought about putting herself before this patient. I was never more proud to be a nurse in that moment and never more proud of my colleague for reminding me what it means to be a nurse. We are here to do what it takes to ensure none of our patients slip through the cracks. Time and time again I've seen this steadfastness from Karen and that is why Karen is a DAISY Nurse.