Scott McCain is truly an Ochsner Hero during the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked the night shift instead of his normal day shift. He always put the patients first. He was at the patients' bedside anytime he could help and for as long as needed, knowing the risk to himself. He performed high-risk procedures of intubation/extubation and proning as needed. He also placed arterial lines for ABGs, blood draws, and monitoring of BP. He assisted with all "Code Blue" codes on these very sick patients in any manner needed.
Scott stepped up and managed the proning and bath team of non-ICU nurses and patient care staff to safely meet the needs of these very ill patients. He explained at the bedside to patients and members of the proning/bath team what was planned and what each person's role was to safely prone, "swim" position change, and bath patient and change their linen. His excellence in this role made the team comfortable, safe, and gave them a sense of truly contributing in an area that can be very intimidating. With Scott's guidance and support, the proning/bath team was a huge asset to the ICU nurses in meeting all the needs of the patients.
When patients required being paralyzed for vent management and physicians gave telephone orders "to paralyze with vecuronium", Scott and pharmacists assisted nurses with appropriate orders. We have many new nurses in ICU that have never had a patient on a continuous paralytic drip. Scott was a great resource with managing the patient's bolus, drip, and monitoring with a train of four and neuro and vent assessment. Scott is experienced, knowledgeable, and is a strong resource and teacher.
Scott identified that after long periods on ventilators with multiple meds and sedation, patients were exhibiting signs and symptoms of withdrawal. Anxiety and sedation meds were not effective but small amounts of opioids were. Patient vital signs stabilized, and they visibly relaxed and rested.
One of our intubated patients was not getting volumes, had an increased respiratory rate and some distress. The Nurse and Respiratory Therapist were unable to pass a suction catheter down the ETT. Scott extubated and reintubated the patient with a larger ETT. A dark brown/black thick substance was found in ETT that was removed. Scott used "Show and Tell" as a teaching moment. He placed the old ETT in a biohazard bag and showed us what caused patient distress and what secretions looked like in this patient intubated x 3 weeks. Scott had a picture taken of the ETT and entered into the patient chart for documentation/reference.
Once patients were extubated, they were very weak. Many required re-intubation after hours or days. Scott showed compassion to patients by explaining what was going to happen and giving them reassurance that they would not be uncomfortable during the procedure and they would be back on the ventilator to help them breathe easier. He maintained a controlled environment while meeting the needs of the patient.
Scott could have punched in and just been available for emergency needs. He has been so much more than that. He assisted with admitting patients into ICU rooms, skin assessments, baths, and anything that needed to be done. Scott exhibited "Teamwork" at its finest! He rounded in ICU and PACU several times a shift to check on patients and see if nurses needed anything. He may never know how very much his support and interventions meant to all of us caring for the sickest of the sick during this extremely stressful time. He has demonstrated all of Ochsner's Core Values and is an extraordinary nurse.