Sarah Wilkerson
June 2020
Sarah
Wilkerson
,
RN, MN, CIC, CNOR
Infection Prevention
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Everett
,
WA
United States
During the entire COVID-19 emergency, Sarah has been one of the busiest people in the entire hospital but has remained absolutely wonderful to work with. Her professionalism during every interaction I've both had and observed has been knowledgeable, research-based, easy to understand, and above all else, anxiety reducing. There hasn't been a single question or request I've reached out to her for that she hasn't responded to quickly and thoroughly. She not only exemplifies the highest level of professional nursing, she does it honoring all of the Providence Mission and Values.
In March, when we started seeing dramatic increases of patients coming into primary care for COVID-19 screening and respiratory illnesses, there was a lot of fear—both to the known risks of this new virus, but more importantly the unknown—including its exact method of transmission. Caregivers and clinicians were experiencing very high levels of anxiety and continually challenged the recommendations they would hear regarding appropriate PPE. There was a lot of conflicting information, hyped stories in the media, and even differences between national and international bodies guiding what would protect workers and what would put them at risk. Every single time new information was provided and there was a need to explain what the changes were and why, Sarah would always promptly provide reference material that put caregivers at ease, and help them to understand why we were doing the processes that we were. She always met requests with a positive attitude, even though I KNOW she was getting asked the exact same questions over and over and over again. Her accepting attitude, always being available, and her provision of useful and research-based information not only helped me to do my job better, but it also allayed the anxiety, fear, and massive amount of misinformation that was flying in from every conceivable corner. I have no doubt that her even-temper, willingness to help, and incredible patience during every moment of this crisis have resulted in safer practice, significantly less stress and anxiety, and most definitely safer patient care. Sarah is an exceptional nurse and I would love to see her recognized as a DAISY Nurse.
In March, when we started seeing dramatic increases of patients coming into primary care for COVID-19 screening and respiratory illnesses, there was a lot of fear—both to the known risks of this new virus, but more importantly the unknown—including its exact method of transmission. Caregivers and clinicians were experiencing very high levels of anxiety and continually challenged the recommendations they would hear regarding appropriate PPE. There was a lot of conflicting information, hyped stories in the media, and even differences between national and international bodies guiding what would protect workers and what would put them at risk. Every single time new information was provided and there was a need to explain what the changes were and why, Sarah would always promptly provide reference material that put caregivers at ease, and help them to understand why we were doing the processes that we were. She always met requests with a positive attitude, even though I KNOW she was getting asked the exact same questions over and over and over again. Her accepting attitude, always being available, and her provision of useful and research-based information not only helped me to do my job better, but it also allayed the anxiety, fear, and massive amount of misinformation that was flying in from every conceivable corner. I have no doubt that her even-temper, willingness to help, and incredible patience during every moment of this crisis have resulted in safer practice, significantly less stress and anxiety, and most definitely safer patient care. Sarah is an exceptional nurse and I would love to see her recognized as a DAISY Nurse.