Karen Kramer, VP, CNO; Kristen Williams, RN, BSN; Beth Rutherford, Director of Nursing; Mary Ann Marshall, ANM
March 2014
Kristen
Williams
,
RN, BSN
Labor & Delivery
CoxHealth
Springfield
,
MO
United States

 

 

 

Dr. C-H mentions that a patient presented to the OB triage withdrawing from a narcotic withdrawal drug. Due to the pregnancy it was not in the best interest of the patient or the baby for the patient to suffer withdrawal, however, there was no success in reaching her provider or one of the two hospital in-house physicians licensed to prescribe the drug.

Kristen then stepped in. She realized the patient was considering leaving AMA and used critical thinking skills and made multiple calls until she found a physician able to solve the problem over a holiday weekend and also coordinated pharmacy and social worker assistance to obtain and administer the medication. The Doctor said, "Not only was a baby's life saved but the patient was able to stay on her recovery program because of Kristen's hard work and determination. She showed enthusiasm and energy to solving a patient care dilemma.