After being "jostled" around due to space issues, my mom stayed for approximately 7 days on 9-5 East with the blessing of being cared for by RN, Stephanie Krasinski, an exceptional young lady. Stephanie's passion for care was quickly demonstrated by her sensitivity to my mother's needs and wants by clearly and routinely communicating with her, never assuming that she knew the answer. She also helped me understand all the complexities of what Mom was going through, always being able to answer my questions, either immediately or would find the answer and return my call quickly. Her sense of urgency provided me great comfort as I was unable to get to New Haven for a week after Mom was admitted and as I couldn't talk with MDs in person, she persisted in having the lead service MDs call me from the wide variety of services that were tending to Mom's needs. This provided me with answers in a very complex and gray situation. My mother spends quite a bit of time at your hospital due to ESRD (and other health challenges) and has been spending time in a variety of different wards since starting dialysis this past May, post-transplant May of 2009. As her needs progress, there is an increase in the number of clinical services that are needed to manage my mom's various conditions and it becomes extremely confusing for my mom and our family. During this latest hospital visit, Stephanie was able to help coordinate the 6 different services (Nephrology, IM, ID Vascular Surgery, Orthopedics and Ophthalmology) in order to expedite the challenges of the secondary symptoms (dehydration) caused by the primary admission (MRSA infection) and provide my mom with extraordinary care, leading to an un-assumed early discharge on a holiday.
Stephanie has the unique capability of seeing the bigger health picture, versus the admitting diagnosis, allowing her to help provide MDs with a greater overall picture. Specifically, in my mother's case and upon hearing her history of chronic dehydration (regardless of dialysis), she was able to discuss my observations/knowledge with the appropriate clinicians and get my mother the treatments she needed, resulting in an earlier discharge then I had anticipated.
In addition, Stephanie has a spectacularly compassionate personality who made my mom feel very safe and secure when she was scared. Due to the infection, my mom had grave concerns of the involvement of her right eye and Stephanie was able to comfort her during the hospitalization, ensuring that everything possible was being done to stop the infection and restore her eyesight, providing the behaviors that I would typically provide my mom with comfort. Mom's comfort was explained to me (by her) as that Stephanie listened very keenly to exactly what my mom was asking and would clarify the specifics so that she would help Mom get what she needed.
It's clear that Stephanie is extremely exceptional at her profession and as she demonstrated to her capabilities, competencies, and skills has truly distinguished her as a stand out amongst many of the healthcare providers. I am hoping that she can be recognized within the Yale system with the hope that she inspires others to perform extraordinary behaviors to help improve patient and family outcomes. Thank you, Stephanie.