I am writing to commend Shelia Okpuzor-Wright, RN on 4C, because she displayed wonderful interpersonal communication skills as well as very well developed medical judgment regarding one of our patients on the unit. The patient has cancer of the esophagus and was transferred to the medical service after undergoing surgery and was receiving enteral feeding. The patient developed chest pain and Shelia took the initiative to perform an electrocardiogram. She then reminded us that after reviewing the medication list from the prior service/floor, it was apparent that we had neglected to reorder the Lortab elixir. She also reminded us that given that the patient was being discharged the next day that we should convert the intravenous odansetron to oral formulation.
It is exactly this kind of collaborative care that really improves outcomes for patients. Shelia embodies the kind of person that is crucial to the interdisciplinary approach to patient care. Her careful observations and engagement regarding the management of the patient were critical in providing the best possible care for this patient.