Kathleen Marsh
December 2019
Kathleen
Marsh
,
RN, SCRN
4 West Neuroscience Pavilion
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Somerville
,
NJ
United States
Kathy is truly a nurse who improves quality outcomes through her exemplary professional practice. Kathy has also embraced the role of safety coach as we continue on our journey to become a high-reliability organization (HRO). It is difficult to summarize in a few words what kind of nurse Kathy is, and how the neuroscience pavilion is fortunate to have her.
Kathy often serves as the charge nurse on our neuroscience unit/4 West. Since the plan of care for our neuroscience patients can shift quickly depending on the patients' status, Kathy is often tasked with rearranging staff assignments as well as assigned patient locations. Kathy embraces these challenges and changes with ease. Kathy's leadership on the unit is further evident when a new admission arrives and Kathy jumps in and lends a hand and a stethoscope to help her colleagues welcome and settle a new patient on 4 West. Kathy's commitment to our RWJ Barnabas Health quest as "Safety Together" is evident through her committee contributions in her role as safety coach.
Kathy has been instrumental in transforming the way many of her colleagues think and behave with regard to safety, error prevention, and performance excellence. Kathy can often be heard using "HRO speak" during our daily change of shift huddle. Kathy's committee involvement does not end there; Kathy is always present and engaged at our unit-based practice council. Kathy is often a facilitator of the practice council and is responsible for discussing our quality and safety metrics with the staff. Since our goal is zero events of preventable harm to our patients and workforce, Kathy often takes the lead when needed to work on innovative strategies to improve the care for our neuroscience patients and families. Perhaps Kathy's greatest asset to 4 West is her unyielding commitment to quality patient care.
Earlier this year Kathy's critical thinking and ability to truly "ARCC it up" undeniably saved her patient's life. Kathy was caring for a post-operative patient who had an uncomplicated surgery and was recovering well. In a brief period of time, the patient became unstable, and if it was not for Kathy's efficient knowledge, clinical acumen, and timely critical thinking, the patient could have had a much different outcome. After the event, Kathy worked to disseminate her learning from the experience to our staff to prevent a similar occurrence with this specific patient population.
In summary, Kathy's leadership, commitment, knowledge, and care have shaped and impacted both her colleagues and her patients and their families on the Neuroscience Pavilion. Kathy is an excellent nurse.
Kathy often serves as the charge nurse on our neuroscience unit/4 West. Since the plan of care for our neuroscience patients can shift quickly depending on the patients' status, Kathy is often tasked with rearranging staff assignments as well as assigned patient locations. Kathy embraces these challenges and changes with ease. Kathy's leadership on the unit is further evident when a new admission arrives and Kathy jumps in and lends a hand and a stethoscope to help her colleagues welcome and settle a new patient on 4 West. Kathy's commitment to our RWJ Barnabas Health quest as "Safety Together" is evident through her committee contributions in her role as safety coach.
Kathy has been instrumental in transforming the way many of her colleagues think and behave with regard to safety, error prevention, and performance excellence. Kathy can often be heard using "HRO speak" during our daily change of shift huddle. Kathy's committee involvement does not end there; Kathy is always present and engaged at our unit-based practice council. Kathy is often a facilitator of the practice council and is responsible for discussing our quality and safety metrics with the staff. Since our goal is zero events of preventable harm to our patients and workforce, Kathy often takes the lead when needed to work on innovative strategies to improve the care for our neuroscience patients and families. Perhaps Kathy's greatest asset to 4 West is her unyielding commitment to quality patient care.
Earlier this year Kathy's critical thinking and ability to truly "ARCC it up" undeniably saved her patient's life. Kathy was caring for a post-operative patient who had an uncomplicated surgery and was recovering well. In a brief period of time, the patient became unstable, and if it was not for Kathy's efficient knowledge, clinical acumen, and timely critical thinking, the patient could have had a much different outcome. After the event, Kathy worked to disseminate her learning from the experience to our staff to prevent a similar occurrence with this specific patient population.
In summary, Kathy's leadership, commitment, knowledge, and care have shaped and impacted both her colleagues and her patients and their families on the Neuroscience Pavilion. Kathy is an excellent nurse.