Susan Hammers
April 2023
Susan
Hammers
,
BSN, RN-BC
Non-Invasive Cardiology
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
The patient was very thankful for Sue's time and effort in caring for him and his birds.
A patient arrived at Non-Invasive Cardiology for a PET, anxious and very short of breath, while lying flat on the camera table. Sue assessed the patient. His baseline oxygen saturation was borderline. She collaborated with the supervising cardiologist, who recommended attempting to proceed with the test. Sue monitored the patient closely. The test needed to be stopped due to severe shortness of breath and decreased SpO2. The patient was monitored until his vitals and oxygen level returned to his baseline. Enough information was able to be obtained from the stress test to elicit further concern.
Discussion ensued with the cardiologist, who recommended that the patient be admitted. The patient was insistent that he drive home first to care for his birds and that he would return later in the day. After a long educational discussion with the patient, he agreed to stay. He was very emotional and requested that Sue speaks with his daughter. Sue informed his daughter of the situation and relayed detailed instructions from the patient about how to care for the birds. The patient was very upset and anxious but became calmer and more at ease after he was assured the birds would be cared for as directed.
The patient was also worried about his car which was parked by the valet. Sue spoke with the valet, and they said his car could remain where it was until he was discharged. Sue coordinated with logistics and the hospitalist to arrange for admission. Due to bed status, it was determined that the patient be admitted through the ED. Sue called the ED charge nurse for transfer of care and escorted the patient to the ED, where she stayed with him until the report was given to the nurse. The patient was very thankful for Sue's time and effort in caring for him and his birds. Sue later relayed the efforts made, advocating for the patient to the cardiologist, who had already consulted with him in the ED. A Cardiac Cath was ordered, which resulted in drug-eluting stents. The cardiologist informed Sue that she had saved the patient's life and that there was a high likelihood that the patient would not have survived if he would have gone home.
Discussion ensued with the cardiologist, who recommended that the patient be admitted. The patient was insistent that he drive home first to care for his birds and that he would return later in the day. After a long educational discussion with the patient, he agreed to stay. He was very emotional and requested that Sue speaks with his daughter. Sue informed his daughter of the situation and relayed detailed instructions from the patient about how to care for the birds. The patient was very upset and anxious but became calmer and more at ease after he was assured the birds would be cared for as directed.
The patient was also worried about his car which was parked by the valet. Sue spoke with the valet, and they said his car could remain where it was until he was discharged. Sue coordinated with logistics and the hospitalist to arrange for admission. Due to bed status, it was determined that the patient be admitted through the ED. Sue called the ED charge nurse for transfer of care and escorted the patient to the ED, where she stayed with him until the report was given to the nurse. The patient was very thankful for Sue's time and effort in caring for him and his birds. Sue later relayed the efforts made, advocating for the patient to the cardiologist, who had already consulted with him in the ED. A Cardiac Cath was ordered, which resulted in drug-eluting stents. The cardiologist informed Sue that she had saved the patient's life and that there was a high likelihood that the patient would not have survived if he would have gone home.