December 2018
Natalie
Mayo
,
RN
3 East Medical Surgical
Southern New Hampshire Medical Center
Nashua
,
NH
United States
A patient arrived to 3 East from the PACU one day complaining of severe pain. Natalie was there to help manage the pain using oral and intravenous medications. Following the medication, the patient had some relief from the pain but then began to complain that she couldn't move or feel her lower legs. Natalie immediately consulted the APRN on call and her charge nurse. Following re-assessment by the 2 nurses, the provider came in to assess the patient. The patient was found to have neurological sensory deficits and a stat CT scan was ordered that showed a blood clot in the area of recent surgery that was putting pressure on the patient's spinal cord. The patient returned to OR for an additional surgery. Even though Natalie's shift had come to an end, she stayed two hours later with this patient until the patient was taken into surgery. Thank you Natalie on behalf of this patient whose outcome could have been dramatically different!