Marlene Deornellis
December 2020
Marlene
Deornellis
,
BSN, RN
Cardiology
Boone Hospital Center
Marlene monitored everything: groin insertion site, pedal pushes, vitals, and much more that I probably didn't notice, all the while focusing on my dad.
Let me introduce myself as a nurse leader in Missouri and Kansas, and most importantly, the daughter of family members who has frequented Boone Health Center. I had a family member experience yesterday that compels me to write you and thank you for the support you give the nurses so they can function so ably and benefit the patients they serve.
We met Marlene yesterday afternoon when my 89-year-old father was transferred there after a late cardiac cath. He arrived about 5:45 pm and we spent the evening with him until 7:30 pm when I needed to take my mom home (1.5 hours away) so we could come back this morning and arrange for him to travel home. The cath went well, with no complications, great attention from the physician, etc. However, what stood out was how Marlene worked with my dad and her colleagues and assured his safety, learning, and complete care in the short two hours she worked with him.
I am looking at the DAISY criteria because I think we experienced the care of an extraordinary nurse! So, in the next two paragraphs, I'll try to communicate what we saw and how much we appreciated all she did on behalf of my dad.
Marlene admitted my dad and asked all the appropriate questions while focusing on the most important information since this was a rushed time toward the end of her shift. She worked side-by-side with another health care worker who clearly respected her and wanted to work with her in a smooth and effective way. Marlene monitored everything: groin insertion site, pedal pushes, vitals, and much more that I probably didn't notice, all the while focusing on my dad, answering his questions, even when he said: "Why are you checking that groin so often?"
She replied (calmly and matter of fact), "Because the catheter was in your artery and if it opened you could bleed out in 5 minutes." That may sound rather harsh as I write it here, but I assure you she was calm, caring, skilled, and most importantly, focused on the patient. It really was the totality of what Marlene did that made us feel so secure in the care she was providing. She was professional, on target, and knowledgeable about every issue we raised. We were very fortunate to have her charged with my father's care. Thank you for the support you give her to share her talents with us.
We met Marlene yesterday afternoon when my 89-year-old father was transferred there after a late cardiac cath. He arrived about 5:45 pm and we spent the evening with him until 7:30 pm when I needed to take my mom home (1.5 hours away) so we could come back this morning and arrange for him to travel home. The cath went well, with no complications, great attention from the physician, etc. However, what stood out was how Marlene worked with my dad and her colleagues and assured his safety, learning, and complete care in the short two hours she worked with him.
I am looking at the DAISY criteria because I think we experienced the care of an extraordinary nurse! So, in the next two paragraphs, I'll try to communicate what we saw and how much we appreciated all she did on behalf of my dad.
Marlene admitted my dad and asked all the appropriate questions while focusing on the most important information since this was a rushed time toward the end of her shift. She worked side-by-side with another health care worker who clearly respected her and wanted to work with her in a smooth and effective way. Marlene monitored everything: groin insertion site, pedal pushes, vitals, and much more that I probably didn't notice, all the while focusing on my dad, answering his questions, even when he said: "Why are you checking that groin so often?"
She replied (calmly and matter of fact), "Because the catheter was in your artery and if it opened you could bleed out in 5 minutes." That may sound rather harsh as I write it here, but I assure you she was calm, caring, skilled, and most importantly, focused on the patient. It really was the totality of what Marlene did that made us feel so secure in the care she was providing. She was professional, on target, and knowledgeable about every issue we raised. We were very fortunate to have her charged with my father's care. Thank you for the support you give her to share her talents with us.