Lou Ann Rich is truly a team player and role model for Obstetrical nursing. The following letter was received regarding the care that Lou Ann provided to a mom and her newborn. The letter reads:

Lou Ann was taking a newborn to its mother, when she noticed a behavior challenged patient at the nursing station becoming more and more agitated. Lou Ann quickly returned the newborn to the nursery and went to the nursing station to speak with the agitated patient. She tried to calm the patient, but the patient was fearful that she was not going to be discharged home as planned. As Lou Ann continued to talk, the patient noticed a visitor leaving the unit. When the doors opened, the patient ran out of the unit and onto the elevators. Lou Ann was “Johnny on the Spot”. She quickly followed the patient to the lobby and continued to explain why she should not leave the hospital against medical advice. Fearful that the patient would become more irate, Lou Ann used her personal cell phone to call the patient’s physician. Lou Ann informed the physician of what was happening with the patient and the legal documents that were on her chart. The physician was finally convinced to write the necessary discharge orders. Lou Ann tried to assure the patient that being discharged to the Behavioral Health facility was in her best interest, but the patient still refused to go back to the nursing unit. Lou Ann sat with the patient in the lobby and kept her calm until she could be released to the custody of Behavior Health Services. Lou Ann’s skills, knowledge and calm demeanor helped to defuse a potentially explosive situation. She took it upon herself to ensure the patient caused no harm to herself or others. She made sure that the patient received the necessary treatment needed to take care of herself and her newborn child.