I was in charge of the ED when Mary was caring for a patient. He had been examined and evaluated by the ED physician and it was determined that he could be discharged with probably right lower lobe pneumonia on oral antibiotics. The patient was alert and oriented, vital signs were stable, he was reading his book and waiting for his daughter to come and take him home.
Mary was watching him closely, had reported her concerns of hemoglobin of 9.3 to the MD, and was told he was still okay to go home. After making multiple attempts to contact his family, she went to the pharmacy and got his medication in order to smooth his discharge process when his family arrived.
When Mary arrived back to the ED, the patient told Mary he thought he might be having some bleeding from his bowels. Mary examined the patient, saw some rectal bleeding, ask the MD that had just arrived for the night shift to evaluate the patient's bleeding. The patient bright red blood with clots in a brief and then more in a bedside commode. The MD immediately addressed the problem, entering orders for labs, IVs, and supporting her impressions and assessment.
By this time, the daughter had arrived and was so relieved that we were going to keep this patient, that finally we had seen what was going on with his bleeding and reinforced her concerns that the patient had been having bouts of confusion and passing out.
I feel that Mary showed exceptional nursing skills, assessment, instincts, in the care of this patient. Doing whatever it took to make sure this Veteran received the care and attention nee needed and deserved. I feel her level of excellence and experience probably saved this Veteran's life. I am honored to work beside a nurse of this caliber.