Meghan Murray
May 2016
Meghan
Murray
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Maine Medical Center
Portland
,
ME
United States
Meghan was assigned a young lady with the diagnosis of leukemia with poor cytogenetics, who is refractory to platelet transfusions. Meaning, this patient could bleed out in a matter of minutes and there would be nothing we could do to help her.This patient also has a head bleed, intractable nausea and vomiting which is not relieved with any antiemetic's, along with high blood pressure issues uncontrolled with antihypertensive medications requiring ICU protocols.When you have leukemia most people think of cancer, which is true, but it's really a blood cancer. So attention to all details, collaboration with multiple physicians, and knowing your resources is critical on a minute-to-minute assessment.
The day started out for Meghan with this patient continuously bleeding with platelets less than 5, severe nausea and projectile vomiting, and with blood pressures requiring ICU protocols.Meghan quickly assessed her other patients and collaborated with her charge nurse and clinical nurse leader to make a plan for the day.Meghan knew 90% of her time would be with her sickest patient and her mother.As nurses we not only care for our patients but families as well, and when your only child acutely turns for the worst, you want Meghan at your child's side.
Meghan collaborated with the internal medicine residents, as well as the SCU coordinator and critical care attending, to formulate a safe plan of care to keep her patient on the floor if possible, rather than transferring her to SCU. This patient was severely neutropenic, and therefore extremely immunocompromised, so transferring the patient to SCU was less than desirable unless absolutely necessary. Meghan worked tirelessly to keep her patient's blood pressure below 135/80 in order to prevent a worsening head bleed. She went above and beyond to try all other interventions to keep this patient on the floor, even if this included hourly blood pressures and constant prn anti-hypertensives. She continuously re-assessed the patient's neurological assessment for any subtle changes and administered platelet transfusions as needed to help prevent any additional bleeding. As a charge nurse, I was 100% confident in Meghan's ability to handle such an acute and critical situation. She was in constant communication with the patient's primary team and provided me with updates as necessary.
Meghan provided both patient and family centered care on this day, as she does every day. She cared for not only her patient, but also her patient's mother who as you would imagine was very concerned and scared. Meghan provided constant support and reassurance to the both of them. She did all of this while also caring for other patients that day. Not once did Meghan complain that she had a busy assignment or hadn't even sat down yet. Meghan's primary concern was keeping all of her patients safe and providing them with the best possible care. She is an exceptional oncology nurse and her patients are lucky to have her. She embodies what it means to be a compassionate nurse with exceptional critical thinking and assessment skills.
Ten days later the patient's mother wanted to speak to me.I did not know why but when I sat down and listened to her praise for all the nurses on Gibson both the day and night shift it brought tears to my eyes.She especially wanted to thank Meghan, because this mother remembers the day she almost lost her daughter.
***
That day I knew I could have lost my daughter.I watched Meghan speak up to several physicians and she did not budge. We have been to ICU and the care is different not only for my daughter but for me as well.We have been here for two months and Meghan is the nurse who saved my daughter.I want her to know how much that means.I will always remember Meghan and maybe someday I can come back and thank her in person.
***
Meghan is the Magnet Champion for Gibson.She promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization and nursing community via being an active member of Southern Maine Oncology Nursing Society, bringing back new knowledge to her peers and patients. She is also a very active participant in the unit practice and quality council;she never misses a meeting.
Meghan provided above and beyond excellent direct patient care, served as a role model for others, and created an environment that fostered compassionate care which makes all the difference to the patients and families we serve.
The day started out for Meghan with this patient continuously bleeding with platelets less than 5, severe nausea and projectile vomiting, and with blood pressures requiring ICU protocols.Meghan quickly assessed her other patients and collaborated with her charge nurse and clinical nurse leader to make a plan for the day.Meghan knew 90% of her time would be with her sickest patient and her mother.As nurses we not only care for our patients but families as well, and when your only child acutely turns for the worst, you want Meghan at your child's side.
Meghan collaborated with the internal medicine residents, as well as the SCU coordinator and critical care attending, to formulate a safe plan of care to keep her patient on the floor if possible, rather than transferring her to SCU. This patient was severely neutropenic, and therefore extremely immunocompromised, so transferring the patient to SCU was less than desirable unless absolutely necessary. Meghan worked tirelessly to keep her patient's blood pressure below 135/80 in order to prevent a worsening head bleed. She went above and beyond to try all other interventions to keep this patient on the floor, even if this included hourly blood pressures and constant prn anti-hypertensives. She continuously re-assessed the patient's neurological assessment for any subtle changes and administered platelet transfusions as needed to help prevent any additional bleeding. As a charge nurse, I was 100% confident in Meghan's ability to handle such an acute and critical situation. She was in constant communication with the patient's primary team and provided me with updates as necessary.
Meghan provided both patient and family centered care on this day, as she does every day. She cared for not only her patient, but also her patient's mother who as you would imagine was very concerned and scared. Meghan provided constant support and reassurance to the both of them. She did all of this while also caring for other patients that day. Not once did Meghan complain that she had a busy assignment or hadn't even sat down yet. Meghan's primary concern was keeping all of her patients safe and providing them with the best possible care. She is an exceptional oncology nurse and her patients are lucky to have her. She embodies what it means to be a compassionate nurse with exceptional critical thinking and assessment skills.
Ten days later the patient's mother wanted to speak to me.I did not know why but when I sat down and listened to her praise for all the nurses on Gibson both the day and night shift it brought tears to my eyes.She especially wanted to thank Meghan, because this mother remembers the day she almost lost her daughter.
***
That day I knew I could have lost my daughter.I watched Meghan speak up to several physicians and she did not budge. We have been to ICU and the care is different not only for my daughter but for me as well.We have been here for two months and Meghan is the nurse who saved my daughter.I want her to know how much that means.I will always remember Meghan and maybe someday I can come back and thank her in person.
***
Meghan is the Magnet Champion for Gibson.She promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization and nursing community via being an active member of Southern Maine Oncology Nursing Society, bringing back new knowledge to her peers and patients. She is also a very active participant in the unit practice and quality council;she never misses a meeting.
Meghan provided above and beyond excellent direct patient care, served as a role model for others, and created an environment that fostered compassionate care which makes all the difference to the patients and families we serve.