Loren Ivey
June 2017
Loren
Ivey
,
BSN, RN
ED
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Charlottesville
,
VA
United States

 

 

 

I was a patient in the emergency department and was discharged home. Loren took time to review charts of patients recently discharged, making a clinical assessment of those patients needing follow up call to assure they were not suffering any issues after discharge.

I should note that I went to the emergency department two times within 24 hours over a holiday weekend with significant back pain. I was given meds for my pain was told that it would take some time for me to gain some relief. Following that direction, time passed and my condition deteriorated. Thinking that this was par for the course and it would take time to gain relief, I did not realize I was heading for trouble.

When Loren called and made a quick clinical assessment on my current state, she took immediate action. The rescue squad was called and I presented back to the emergency department with a temperature of nearly 105° and blood pressure dropping to 78/48.

I was admitted for six days with a staph infection and septicemia. If it were not for Loren's call and clinical judgement, I fear we would have waited too long and I would not be in a position to thank her.