November 2017
Paula
Lasky
,
BSN, RN
TNICU
UPMC Hamot
Erie
,
PA
United States
Choosing a starting point on what's so spectacular about Paula is somewhat difficult, there is too much to choose from to narrow this all down.
To start, Paula is the TNICU "go to" for any and all things Neuro. She is the first to remind fellow nursing staff and physicians about protocols. She is always willing to over the "how to's" on things the unit needs to know. She is a phenomenal resource and a wealth of knowledge. She can tell you which bump in an ICP reading correlates with what function/malfunction the brain is trying to portray. She is so well equipped with this and well versed that she is the head speaker/educator on the unit on this topic and also in the trauma boot camps.
All this, however, is light in comparison to the care she delivers and relationships she creates with families.
Paula has connected with many, many family members in such a way that it exemplifies exactly what nursing in a Family-Focused environment that UPMC wishes to instill in all of its staff. As taken directly from one of UPMC slogan's "positively transforming the way healthcare is provided" she does just that! Numerous times I have seen families in their time of need go straight to Paula for emotional support and guidance. Families feel that Paula is their "guiding light" in an otherwise difficult and confusing time. I have heard her referred to as "their healing angel". In the middle of a code she assisted a patient's wife to a chair, take time to comfort her, and at a pause during the code she went into the room to inform the patient that his wife and his daughter (to which she referred to them by their nickname he had called them) were there with him. This sentiment alone gave both the wife and daughter much relief that they were able to regain their composure during this taxing time. As described above Paula continually demonstrates UPMC Hamot's commitment to Service Excellence by understanding the needs of patients and their families every time.
Finally, although not the last of her many remarkable feats, I would like to acknowledge her sincere dedication to her skill and unwavering compassion for her patients and families. Paula, for years, has sent out sympathy cards to the grieving families of the patients whom she has cared for, further encompassing every aspect of patient-centered care.
To start, Paula is the TNICU "go to" for any and all things Neuro. She is the first to remind fellow nursing staff and physicians about protocols. She is always willing to over the "how to's" on things the unit needs to know. She is a phenomenal resource and a wealth of knowledge. She can tell you which bump in an ICP reading correlates with what function/malfunction the brain is trying to portray. She is so well equipped with this and well versed that she is the head speaker/educator on the unit on this topic and also in the trauma boot camps.
All this, however, is light in comparison to the care she delivers and relationships she creates with families.
Paula has connected with many, many family members in such a way that it exemplifies exactly what nursing in a Family-Focused environment that UPMC wishes to instill in all of its staff. As taken directly from one of UPMC slogan's "positively transforming the way healthcare is provided" she does just that! Numerous times I have seen families in their time of need go straight to Paula for emotional support and guidance. Families feel that Paula is their "guiding light" in an otherwise difficult and confusing time. I have heard her referred to as "their healing angel". In the middle of a code she assisted a patient's wife to a chair, take time to comfort her, and at a pause during the code she went into the room to inform the patient that his wife and his daughter (to which she referred to them by their nickname he had called them) were there with him. This sentiment alone gave both the wife and daughter much relief that they were able to regain their composure during this taxing time. As described above Paula continually demonstrates UPMC Hamot's commitment to Service Excellence by understanding the needs of patients and their families every time.
Finally, although not the last of her many remarkable feats, I would like to acknowledge her sincere dedication to her skill and unwavering compassion for her patients and families. Paula, for years, has sent out sympathy cards to the grieving families of the patients whom she has cared for, further encompassing every aspect of patient-centered care.