I am an Infection Preventionist (IP) at Inspira in Vineland. One of my responsibilities as an IP is to perform observations in the various areas of the hospital. Recently my department, Infection Control, identified a cluster of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) that were occurring within a particular patient population. I was asked to complete observations and had the pleasure of being partnered with some truly amazing staff who exemplify the heart and soul of Inspira’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

One nurse really stood out to me. I was partnered with Sara a few times and she was genuinely concerned for patients who developed surgical site infections. It was then I experienced her inquisitive attitude and diligent work ethic as we worked towards finding a resolution. She accomplished all of this while managing the busy flow and simultaneously never losing sight of our sole focus, the patient. I observed her protecting her patient’s sterile field, regulating the flow of traffic, and advocating for her patient to safeguard them.

This nurse even joined our Apparent Cause Analysis (ACA) meeting to review the SSIs we identified and offered actionable insight that we could not gather from just reviewing the patient’s chart. Her dedication to ensuring our patients receive the safest care possible did not end there. Sara took the information she had heard from the ACA and continued to look for answers. A few weeks later, I received a phone call from her manager. The manager told me this nurse requested that I meet her after a case finished because they wanted to show me something. I got very emotional when I got off the phone. This Team was still thinking about these patients and was still striving to find answers.

When I met up with this nurse, she was holding a gel pad used to help maintain a patient’s body temperature during a procedure. Upon visual inspection, Surgical Services immediately removed it. What was most impressive, this nurse never stopped thinking about the patients who developed infections. This nurse's unwavering dedication to providing compassionate, safe patient care makes her a true asset to Inspira.