November 2023
Leslie
Hardy
,
RN
MED/SURG
Elkhart General Hospital
Elkhart
,
IN
United States
I truly believe that trusting her instinct, being persistent in doing the right thing for her patient and being an “all around great nurse” is what prevented this situation from having a more tragic outcome.
Leslie had a patient for three days in a row. This patient was scheduled to have a total knee replacement on Friday, The last of Leslie’s 3 in a row… However, when the surgeon got into the knee, they found an infection, and surgery was cancelled. The patient was so down in dumps about this. Leslie ordered the patients favorite meal from Culver’s to cheer the patient up. This moved the patient to tears. She was so grateful & moved by Leslie compassion.
***
Late Monday morning, Leslie was preparing her patient for discharge. Discharge instructions had been given, and education on caring for foley catheter at home was completed. Her patient was dressed and nearly ready for a redcoat to be alerted. I happened to be assisting on the brown pod when we hear a call for help coming from this patient’s room. Leslie ran into the room, and I followed. I found her and our SA holding up a nearly 250 lb. man. He was pale, diaphoretic and struggling to stand. After putting this nearly discharged patient to bed, doing a quick assessment, and further questioning, this patient stated that he has these “episodes” about 3 times a year. He asked if this could be anxiety as it usually happens when he is stressed. Leslie and I agree it would be best to let the patient rest as he reported he was starting to feel better. Leslie notified the Dr. of the incident and was told to go ahead and DC him. Concerned with sending this man home, Leslie stated that her “gut” was telling her that something was not right. She notified the DR. once again, and based her assessment. Explained that she was concerned that her patient may have a PE. Orders were placed for labs and a chest CT (D-dimer was extremely elevated). While her patient was in radiology, a Rapid Response was called to the ED. It was quickly realized that this was her patient, so she rushed to the ED to find that her patient had a significant PE and would be transferring to the Critical Care Unit. I truly believe that trusting her instinct, being persistent in doing the right thing for her patient and being an “all around great nurse” is what prevented this situation from having a more tragic outcome. I am so proud to work with Leslie, and this is why I feel she is so deserving of the honorable award.
***
Late Monday morning, Leslie was preparing her patient for discharge. Discharge instructions had been given, and education on caring for foley catheter at home was completed. Her patient was dressed and nearly ready for a redcoat to be alerted. I happened to be assisting on the brown pod when we hear a call for help coming from this patient’s room. Leslie ran into the room, and I followed. I found her and our SA holding up a nearly 250 lb. man. He was pale, diaphoretic and struggling to stand. After putting this nearly discharged patient to bed, doing a quick assessment, and further questioning, this patient stated that he has these “episodes” about 3 times a year. He asked if this could be anxiety as it usually happens when he is stressed. Leslie and I agree it would be best to let the patient rest as he reported he was starting to feel better. Leslie notified the Dr. of the incident and was told to go ahead and DC him. Concerned with sending this man home, Leslie stated that her “gut” was telling her that something was not right. She notified the DR. once again, and based her assessment. Explained that she was concerned that her patient may have a PE. Orders were placed for labs and a chest CT (D-dimer was extremely elevated). While her patient was in radiology, a Rapid Response was called to the ED. It was quickly realized that this was her patient, so she rushed to the ED to find that her patient had a significant PE and would be transferring to the Critical Care Unit. I truly believe that trusting her instinct, being persistent in doing the right thing for her patient and being an “all around great nurse” is what prevented this situation from having a more tragic outcome. I am so proud to work with Leslie, and this is why I feel she is so deserving of the honorable award.