February 2014
Mary
Saya
,
BSN, RN, CPAN
perianesthesia unit
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center
Syracuse
,
NY
United States
Many patients in the operating process have critical needs, are limited in their abilities due to recovery under anesthesia, and at times require overnight stays in the OR or PACU due to bed availability in-house. Our PACU had a particularly busy and stressful day on this one occasion. Mary, our coordinator, had the day off. As she is always quite concerned with her patients, families, and co-workers even on her day off, Mary learned that there was a pediatric patient going to the OR with a perforated bowel. Mary sought information to assist the staff in the care and disposition of the patient as we do not normally treat these patients surgically at our facility. Mary ended up coming in to work that day and stayed through the evening shift to plan and ensure the care plan for this pediatric patient was delivered in a respectful and special way.
Ongoing conversations occurred with our hospital administration, the director of surgery and the service line, and of course, the patient's surgeon. Mary facilitated the little girl's postoperative care in the PACU, and she ensured that PACU staff felt comfortable and confident in the delivery of care to this child. In collaboration with the surgeon and the patient's parents, the decision was made to transfer the child to a nearby facility that specialized in pediatric care and surgical recovery. The ongoing concerns included potential sepsis and a need for further invasive procedures such as drains of which we would not be as well equipped to perform on such a young lady. It was better to transfer the child in the long run.
Paperwork was initiated, and Mary and the surgeon both looked at each other: Someone had to accompany the child to the other facility during transport. Mary did not hesitate to take on the task, as she had already established a relationship with the child and her parents. The PACU still remained critically busy on this evening, so no other person would have even been able to consider going on transport. Mary did it without fail. Mary stayed focused, prioritized expertly, and maintained calmness for everyone during this stressful situation. She established and extended her caring relationship with her new young friend and her parents, validated the surgeon's concerns, and supported the PACU staff in safe delivery of care for all of the patients on that evening but especially for one scared little girl who ended up doing wonderful. Her exemplary professionalism and unwavering dedication is greatly appreciated.
Mary is a consummate perianesthesia nurse. She is firm with staff, expects accountability and excellence, and demands more from herself. She shines in emergencies and loves to be right in the middle of the caring process.
Recently, a patient came to us from the ED. The patient required surgery for a pacemaker. Mary went to the preinduction area to check on the patient and noted that the pacemaker function was not put into place on the transport defibrillator: the patient's heart beat was only 20. She immediately activated the pacing function and used it as a teachable moment with the nursing staff to remind them that the leads and the pads have to be applied for the pacing function to be enabled.
We could mention so many instances of her stepping in to make a difference for all whom she touches. She is an awesome nurse, and we are very blessed to have her as part of the team.
Ongoing conversations occurred with our hospital administration, the director of surgery and the service line, and of course, the patient's surgeon. Mary facilitated the little girl's postoperative care in the PACU, and she ensured that PACU staff felt comfortable and confident in the delivery of care to this child. In collaboration with the surgeon and the patient's parents, the decision was made to transfer the child to a nearby facility that specialized in pediatric care and surgical recovery. The ongoing concerns included potential sepsis and a need for further invasive procedures such as drains of which we would not be as well equipped to perform on such a young lady. It was better to transfer the child in the long run.
Paperwork was initiated, and Mary and the surgeon both looked at each other: Someone had to accompany the child to the other facility during transport. Mary did not hesitate to take on the task, as she had already established a relationship with the child and her parents. The PACU still remained critically busy on this evening, so no other person would have even been able to consider going on transport. Mary did it without fail. Mary stayed focused, prioritized expertly, and maintained calmness for everyone during this stressful situation. She established and extended her caring relationship with her new young friend and her parents, validated the surgeon's concerns, and supported the PACU staff in safe delivery of care for all of the patients on that evening but especially for one scared little girl who ended up doing wonderful. Her exemplary professionalism and unwavering dedication is greatly appreciated.
Mary is a consummate perianesthesia nurse. She is firm with staff, expects accountability and excellence, and demands more from herself. She shines in emergencies and loves to be right in the middle of the caring process.
Recently, a patient came to us from the ED. The patient required surgery for a pacemaker. Mary went to the preinduction area to check on the patient and noted that the pacemaker function was not put into place on the transport defibrillator: the patient's heart beat was only 20. She immediately activated the pacing function and used it as a teachable moment with the nursing staff to remind them that the leads and the pads have to be applied for the pacing function to be enabled.
We could mention so many instances of her stepping in to make a difference for all whom she touches. She is an awesome nurse, and we are very blessed to have her as part of the team.