Mike, Gail, Kyle, and Aaron are highly competent professionals who display all the characteristics necessary to earn an award of this nature. Their commitment to the well being of our patients, their many years of clinical expertise, and their deep devotion to compassionate care are demonstrated every time they arrive to assist with IV placement or PICC Line insertion. They display these same traits in their daily duties while caring for patients in the Cath Lab.
Even though we have many competent "IV Starters" on our unit, in some circumstances extra help can be required. On IMCU we often care for high acuity patients who require intravenous cardiac drips and other medications in order to stabilize their conditions. The patient's IV serves as their "lifeline" and it is vital that they have a functioning site at all times during their hospital stay.
When we call upon the team, they invariably respond in the most rapid manner possible. Even though they are very busy, they make it a priority to come and assist when called. They always treat our staff members with respect and professional courtesy. They never make our nurses feel as though we are "putting them out" or that we are not skilled enough to start IVs on certain patients. They often comment that they have an advantage because they have access to the ultrasound machine (which enables them to see the patients' veins and blood flow more easily).
All the members of the team have certain strengths that are worth noting. For instance, Gail Mannington possesses a sunny optimism and unshakable confidence which invariably sets a patient's mind at ease. When Gail walks into the room, patients and staff immediately sense, "This person is going to take care of everything." And she does. Her bedside manner exhibits care and deep compassion. One can easily tell how much satisfaction Gail derives from helping other people. She instinctively knows how to connect with patients on a personal level. This helps the individual feel less anxious, and consequently the procedure becomes easier.
Additionally, Gail serves as a mentor for nurses throughout the hospital. When staff members come to observe procedures in Cath Lab, Gail leads the way in the teaching of anatomy, and in the explanation of how patients are cared for in that department. As if all that were not enough, Gail also volunteers as part of the AMOS group (which travels to Guatemala on medical mission trips).
Kyle Sorenson always responds quickly when help is requested. On numerous occasions he has come up to our floor immediately when problems have arisen with a patient regarding urgent IV access. In one instance, we had a patient whose condition was deteriorating due to a cardiac arrhythmia. We were preparing to start an amiodarone and dopamine drip on him. The patient's IV had gone bad and we were unsuccessful in restarting it. I called Cath Lab to see if someone on the Team was available to help. Unfortunately, everyone was working on a case at that time. We considered a RAT call to get additional assistance. Within a few minutes, Kyle arrived to help. In short order, he was able to get the IV access inserted, and soon the patient was stabilized. His professional and steady demeanor helped everyone in the situation to maintain an even keel.
I have known Aaron Strickler for several decades and have always had a deep respect for him and the work he does. He previously served as a Charge Nurse in the IMCU at the old hospital facility. His helpful nature and understanding of our unit allow him to assist us in a variety of ways (not just related to IV and PICC line insertions).
His kindness to the patients and to our staff members is greatly appreciated. His experience has been extremely valuable when complicated procedures have presented us with big challenges (hematomas, and other complications that can occur with Cath Lab patients). Aaron is always willing to share his wealth of knowledge regarding these particular patients. This helps us to do a better job taking care of them, which invariably leads to better outcomes.
Mike Novak has the ability to put people at ease with his subtle sense of humor. He often shows up near the end of a long and difficult shift to make sure that one of our patients has IV access. One night I recall him showing up with Kyle at around 9:00 PM to insert a PICC line into a patient in need. We had been informed by radiology that it would not be done until the next day. Mike and Kyle showed up just in time to accomplish this important task for us. They got home much later that evening but, our patient got her IV. This demonstrates a commitment to the overall patient experience. Mike's calm and unassuming manner is very comforting to the patients and staff. Additionally, his son now works on our floor. That is two generations of the Novak family helping patients at Porter.
These talented individuals also serve as role models for new associates who are just "learning the ropes" regarding the delivery of high-quality health care. One cannot underestimate the importance which is attached to the example they set on a daily basis. Maintaining a calm demeanor (even in the midst of an unfolding crisis) is something that is continually observed when these professionals are on the job. As a charge nurse on IMCU I am responsible for seeing that patients receive the care they need in order to have the best possible outcome. I have been doing this type of work for nearly forty years and the professionals discussed in this nomination are the type of people who make me extremely proud to be part of the nursing profession. On numerous occasions these highly skilled and deeply compassionate people have "Saved our Butts" on IMCU. The gratitude I feel for them is profound.