Photo: Donna King, CNE and Gordon Sigl, DAISY Nurse
Gordon is a hospital resource who role models exemplary nurse behavior every day that he works. I could truly write for pages with examples, but will describe two examples that occurred recently, both of which involved chronically ill patients who had veins that were very difficult to access, as well as personalities that were difficult to deal with:
The first example involved an elderly man who had been admitted four times during a 6 week period, and was known as a “frequent flyer” on the unit. He had diabetes and was end stage renal disease on dialysis, which contributed to it being very difficult to place a peripheral IV line or for the phlebotomist to draw blood for labs. The PICC team had placed a peripheral IV in his upper arm, but it had gotten pulled out, and the patient wouldn’t let anyone evaluate it except for Gordon. Despite an already full schedule, Gordon came to the unit and very patiently placed another upper arm peripheral IV, and completed the blood draw for the morning labs which the patient had refused to let the phlebotomist attempt to draw. He then also offered to come early the next morning to do the blood draws for the day. That offer reassured the patient that he wouldn’t be stuck 3 or 4 times the next morning in order to get his morning labs, and he was very appreciative.
The second example involved an elderly woman who had obsessive compulsive disorder and was also a very “difficult stick.” Again, the PICC team had placed an upper arm peripheral IV, and it was needed to infuse two units of blood as well as multiple doses of IV antibiotics. The patient had the impression that there was something wrong with the line, and wouldn’t let it be used; so, I asked Gordon to evaluate it. He again took time from his schedule to squeeze in an evaluation of the line and reassure the patient that the line was all right. However, while the first unit of blood was infusing, the patient kept getting up and walking around and eventually pulled it out of place and the line infiltrated before the first bag was completed. I happened to pass Gordon in the hallway and mentioned that the line had infiltrated before completing the blood, and that we were getting a new Hemoglobin & Hematocrit to determine whether the second bag of blood needed to be given. Insertion of a PICC was going to be ordered if the hemoglobin was still critically low. By the time we got the hemoglobin results and I was able to contact the resident, it was past 6 pm on a Friday night. Gordon stopped by and asked whether the PICC line was going to be needed, because he stayed well after his scheduled quit time to insert the PICC line if it was going to be needed, rather than leaving it to the other PICC nurse on Saturday morning.
Gordon is so extremely competent in what he does, and always takes time to answer any questions from nurses and patients regarding lines and their maintenance. He has a clear commitment to excellence and is totally focused on patient safety and satisfaction. The above are examples of how he consistently anticipates what is needed for the delivery of excellent patient care, and goes beyond what is required to ensure patient satisfaction. He has outstanding patient communication skills, and is able to instill a sense of calm and confidence with even the most agitated and uncooperative patients. He is a hospital treasure who is valued by associates and patients for his competence, care and commitment.