Gerard is an exceptional LVN working cohesively with his team, the department's medical, mental health and dental providers, and our service partners - the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. As his team's assigned treatment room nurse, he has primary responsibility over responding to urgent care and emergency codes. Gerard has been instrumental in identifying urgent care patients issues as well as in resuscitating patients involved in code blue circumstances. Throughout the years, hundreds of patients and the department have benefited from Gerard's clinical knowledge and commitment to the provision of quality patient care services.
Recently, Gerard encountered a patient trustee who had been experiencing headaches and nausea for the last 4 days. The patient's vitals were normal and he claimed to not have any other symptoms. As he walked away, Gerard noticed that the 30-year-old patient was unsteady and not ambulating in a normal way. He immediately called him back to the treatment room, retook his vitals and then contacted his supervisor with his suspicions. Gerard, correctly, determined that something else was happening with his patient. They conducted an EKG and asked the patient to once again, go over all of his symptoms. It was at this time that the patient admitted to experiencing moderate pain across his upper body and shoulders. The patient stated he has experienced this pain before but not reported it because he did not want to cause additional work for the security or medical staff. The patient's EKG came back abnormal and with the chest pain symptoms, Gerard and his supervisor immediately contacted EMS. Upon arrival, the EMS staff noted that the patient's vitals were still normal and inquired as to the urgency of the situation. Gerard showed the emergency personnel the EKG results and reiterated the patient's level of pain. EMS transported the patient to University Hospital where he was admitted and treatment immediately commenced for a myocardial infarction.
It is evident to us at Detention Health Care Services that were it not for Gerard's clinical judgment and commitment to his patients, this individual may have suffered dire medical consequences. He continues to be an asset to the department and to the health system as he exemplifies the type of employee that patients trust with their care and wellbeing. Thank you, Gerard, for everything you do on a daily basis!