Susan Watkins
June 2014
Susan
Watkins
,
BSN, RN
ED
Upper Valley Medical Center
Troy
,
OH
United States
I have had the pleasure to work with many wonderful nurses at Upper Valley Medical Center; however, one nurse stands out. Susan Watkins provides exceptional patient care and promotes teamwork in the ED at every opportunity. She treats each patient's requests and needs as a priority even if that patient is not assigned to her. Sue also respects and values all members of the healthcare team by taking time to listen to what is said, responding in a thoughtful manner and following up especially if what was communicated concerned patient care.
As a Patient Care Technician, and advanced EMT, I feel that I tend to notice and realize the importance of transferring patient information and status along with any changes of a patient's condition to the assigned nurse. One particular event pertained to a middle-aged female. The patient came in with a PEG tube which appeared to have an improper fit. The skin showed signs of breakdown possibly due to the excessive leaking of body fluid and/or from the adhesive from various types of tape used to secure the tube to the abdomen. While in the ED, the patient required frequent bathing due to the fluid running from the Peg tube site, down both sides of the patient's abdomen to the flank area. While this wasn't an emergent issue, it was an issue that affected the patient's comfort and could lead to a more serious problem for the patient in the long term. I went to Sue (I knew she would help me) to obtain the necessary assistance for the patient. After discussing the issue with her, Sue immediately went to work, to intervene and create a plan of care for the patient which included a visit with the wound nurse.
On my next shift day with Sue, she informed me that she contacted the floor where the patient had been transported. Sue followed up with the nurse caring for the patient and found out that the patient had been fitted with the correct size appliance and the leaking had been fixed. I was touched by the professional courtesy that Sue extended to me. She took the time to come to me and complete the story of this patient, validated my concern, and provided praise. "We did a good job!" With this simple statement she recognized my contribution in the total care of this patient.
As a Patient Care Technician, and advanced EMT, I feel that I tend to notice and realize the importance of transferring patient information and status along with any changes of a patient's condition to the assigned nurse. One particular event pertained to a middle-aged female. The patient came in with a PEG tube which appeared to have an improper fit. The skin showed signs of breakdown possibly due to the excessive leaking of body fluid and/or from the adhesive from various types of tape used to secure the tube to the abdomen. While in the ED, the patient required frequent bathing due to the fluid running from the Peg tube site, down both sides of the patient's abdomen to the flank area. While this wasn't an emergent issue, it was an issue that affected the patient's comfort and could lead to a more serious problem for the patient in the long term. I went to Sue (I knew she would help me) to obtain the necessary assistance for the patient. After discussing the issue with her, Sue immediately went to work, to intervene and create a plan of care for the patient which included a visit with the wound nurse.
On my next shift day with Sue, she informed me that she contacted the floor where the patient had been transported. Sue followed up with the nurse caring for the patient and found out that the patient had been fitted with the correct size appliance and the leaking had been fixed. I was touched by the professional courtesy that Sue extended to me. She took the time to come to me and complete the story of this patient, validated my concern, and provided praise. "We did a good job!" With this simple statement she recognized my contribution in the total care of this patient.