May 2018
Multipurpose Satellite Infusion
Services & Dialysis Team
Outpatient Infusion Services & The Dialysis Center
Lehigh Valley Hospital
Allentown
,
PA
United States
Lynn Van Gelder, BSN, RN, OCN; Nicole Grossmann BSN, RN, OCN; Jacqueline C. Millsap, RN, CDN; Dr. Drew Harrison, MD
M is a patient who comes to our infusion center for intermittent blood transfusions secondary to his history of renal disease. He is known to be a difficult intravenous access which causes him to become anxious for his appointments. He was scheduled for a transfusion in our outpatient clinic. The clinical staff at the multipurpose satellite infusion area advocated for his care by contacting the dialysis center staff prior to this appointment to determine if they could utilize his existing arteriovenous fistula for the infusion. The patient's care was proactively coordinated with the nephrologist, and orders were obtained to access and de-access the fistula in order to transfuse his packed red blood cell therapy. When M arrived at the infusion center in the morning, the multipurpose area nursing staff informed him of the plan. The patient began weeping and stated, "I am so very thankful. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so afraid of multiple IV sticks. I even brought an overnight bag planning to be admitted and given my blood in dialysis tomorrow." Colleagues on both the multipurpose satellite infusion area and the dialysis center collaborated to meet this patient's need by going above and beyond the traditional role of nursing to ensure the best possible care for the patient.