It is without question that the actions of Sarah Philip saved the life of her patient. Her sixth sense to check on a patient, coordination of resources, and attention to detail made the difference in a critical patient during a perilous situation.

On that day, Sarah’s patient had a groin dialysis line removed. While no one was in the room, the site started to bleed, and the patient began to exsanguinate.

Knowing that the patient was due to have their line removed at some point today, seeing surgery personnel leave the floor, and having a “funny feeling” that she needed to check on her patient, Sarah went to the patient’s room. There, Sarah was presented with a patient who was dizzy, obviously in distress, had a blood pressure of 68/39, and was covered in an immense pool of blood.

Sarah leaped into action. Not only did she activate emergency personnel, but specifically a Surgical Rapid Response, summoning the exact people who could best handle such an emergency. Pressure was held, blood was emergently transfused, labs were sent, different specialists were coordinated with, and the entire time, Sarah was in the middle handling business. She remained cool and focused under the immense pressure of this situation, delegated and communicated with the rest of her floor as the charge nurse, and coordinated resources for this patient to prevent a worse event from occurring. With all of this care, the patient was able to be stabilized and discharged from the hospital in a timely manner.

Sarah’s actions are what we all strive to be: a nurse who is highly competent, committed to doing the right thing, and a team player regardless of the circumstances.