Steven had been working on unit 7100 since 2014. He has been actively involved in process improvements, evidence-based practice research and implementation, and new hire orientation. The most current process improvement that Steven actively involved is TEAMSTEPPS: Improving Team Dynamics during Emergency Bedside Open Chest Procedures.
Steven is also actively involved in the Evidence-Based Practice Project on Fall Risk Assessment Tool. We are now implementing the new fall risk assessment tool hospital-wide. Steven is a preceptor, a code blue responder, and a team leader. Most importantly Steven is a patient advocate. He implements best practice in every day that he works. He delivers care that is not only best practice but also what is right for the patient.
One shift, I saw him taking care of one of his patient that is trached dependent. This patient is confused and tries to pull out his line. Steven re-orients the patient numerous times. He talks to his patient, he updates his patient on the weather outside, the date, the time, and on what care he is going to deliver to this patient. Despite numerous re-orientations, the patient continuously tries to pull out his lines. Instead of getting an order for bilateral soft restraints, Steven sits next to the bed and holds the patient hand. As Steven is holding the patient's hand, the patient stops trying to pull out the lines. Not long after Steven holds the patient hand, the patient falls asleep. The patient becomes relaxed and content. A simple hand-holding gives the patient a sense of comfort that works better than restraining the patient.