October 2011
Rachel
Ortega
,
RN, BSN
Emergency Department, Salem Hospital
Salem Health
Salem
,
OR
United States
Rachel obtained her BSN while working full time as an ADN nurse. She has become an official preceptor of new graduate nurses and a Trauma Nurse. She is often called upon to trial a new idea or process. For example, she recently was asked to practice in the triage area and work with physicians as they tried to expand their practice to this area. She is positive and friendly. Her “can do” attitude is wonderful.
In the recent past, Rachel cared for her extended family; those whom we share a common mission with, namely, our fellow employees. Below are three of those patient encounters.
1. Rachel cared for a hospital nursing administrator. The administrator was critically injured in an accident. Rachel was the primary nurse. Rachel performed resuscitation as an expert. From assessment, fluid and medication administration, and other therapies; each was performed in the correct sequence, proficiently, and with expertise. Being the evidence based nurse she is; she even performed the pre-operative sponge bath in the ED room. The patient/administrator recovered and is now back at work at Salem Health.
2. A 38 year old Salem Health Physician suffered an acute stroke. The team worked together in a very expedient manner to obtain the necessary assessments and radiology tests to begin treatment. Rachel ultimately became the primary nurse and gave the patient TPA as the thrombolytic therapy to correct the devastating clot to the patient’s brain. She went on the transport and continued care on the trip to OHSU. The patient/physician recovered and is now back at Salem Health practicing medicine.
3. One of our own Emergency Department Physicians was cared for by Rachel. Rachel worked with her team to care for their friend, colleague, and associate. The physician suffered a spleen laceration and several non-displaced fractures including the ribs and pelvis. The care given to the ED physician was second to none. The President of the Salem Emergency Physicians Service reported that the care his associate received was excellent. The injured patient/physician is now back at work practicing emergency medicine.
The DAISY Award is a National program that recognizes the clinical skills, extraordinary compassion and care exhibited by nurses. Rachel Ortega fits this definition as she is a shining example to all in the Nursing Profession of quality care and service.
In the recent past, Rachel cared for her extended family; those whom we share a common mission with, namely, our fellow employees. Below are three of those patient encounters.
1. Rachel cared for a hospital nursing administrator. The administrator was critically injured in an accident. Rachel was the primary nurse. Rachel performed resuscitation as an expert. From assessment, fluid and medication administration, and other therapies; each was performed in the correct sequence, proficiently, and with expertise. Being the evidence based nurse she is; she even performed the pre-operative sponge bath in the ED room. The patient/administrator recovered and is now back at work at Salem Health.
2. A 38 year old Salem Health Physician suffered an acute stroke. The team worked together in a very expedient manner to obtain the necessary assessments and radiology tests to begin treatment. Rachel ultimately became the primary nurse and gave the patient TPA as the thrombolytic therapy to correct the devastating clot to the patient’s brain. She went on the transport and continued care on the trip to OHSU. The patient/physician recovered and is now back at Salem Health practicing medicine.
3. One of our own Emergency Department Physicians was cared for by Rachel. Rachel worked with her team to care for their friend, colleague, and associate. The physician suffered a spleen laceration and several non-displaced fractures including the ribs and pelvis. The care given to the ED physician was second to none. The President of the Salem Emergency Physicians Service reported that the care his associate received was excellent. The injured patient/physician is now back at work practicing emergency medicine.
The DAISY Award is a National program that recognizes the clinical skills, extraordinary compassion and care exhibited by nurses. Rachel Ortega fits this definition as she is a shining example to all in the Nursing Profession of quality care and service.