maria cain, BSN, RN

Maria was assigned to take care of a patient who came to the DIR for an Afib ablation, a lengthy procedure in the EP lab. After the procedure was completed without incident, the patient returned to the DIR complaining of severe chest pain. Nearly all patients who undergo this procedure complain of chest pain- and often it is related to the procedure, but she used her extensive nursing intuition combined with medical knowledge to know this was not typical chest pain. She called the PA and MD and informed them of the problems, taking charge, and getting an EKG to evaluate the patient's potential for a heart attack. The EKG was completed- showing the patient was in the middle of an MI! She shared the EKG with the PAs and MDs- and the patient was promptly sent to the Cath lab where they were successfully stented. Thanks to her quick-acting, professionalism, (and she always works with a smile on her face!) the patient was able to get the lifesaving treatment they needed.