While working a shift in the COVID ICU, I witnessed something; an act of kindness and care that I don't often see. Stacy came to the ICU to place a PICC for one of our patients; a standard routine for patients just recently intubated, as this one was.
Knowing how important it was to successfully place a line for this patient; on sedation and potentially needing vasopressors, Stacy worked Hard! From 1340-1620 she worked with this patient. Checking, double and triple-checking, the right arm wasn't a viable option, moved to the left arm, powerflushed the line once placed, and asked for help from the assigned RN to suction the patient (as to increase intrathoracic pressure to help the catheter advance only a couple of centimeters into position) to make her cough. Chest x-ray ultimately confirmed the correct catheter position. Stacy followed up and gave us the go-ahead to use the new PICC once radiology confirmed and even asked if there was anything else she could help with.
This DAISY Nomination wasn't written because of the time she took to help, it's being written because her diligence, persistence, and competence were remarkable in this example. Follow-through and follow-ups helped this patient potentially get better that day. With Stacy's care, that patient got the help she needed. All while in full COVID PPE.