Karen Black
June 2015
Karen
Black
,
RN
Interventional Radiology
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Baltimore
,
MD
United States
This morning Karen went to insert a urinary catheter in a six year old girl who was having a cystourethrogram. The little girl was scared and crying. Karen immediately comforted the little girl by talking to her about the things other than the procedure. Karen also gave her a little pillow. Karen sews little children's themed pillows during her time off; she uses her own money for the fabric. On this day the child's procedure was delayed, because the physician was not available, for approximately 45 minutes. This is a very long time to entertain a scared little six year old and her mother.
Karen decided to delay putting the catheter in, the traumatizing part of the whole procedure, until the physician's availability was known. Karen continued to comfort and talk with the six year old patient and her mother for the 45 minutes. The patient was very upset when the process of inserting the catheter started so Karen continued to talk with her while inserting the catheter. Karen even offered the little girl her choice of cookie to pick after the procedure was done. One of the physicians had brought the unit cookies that day. Of course Karen had the mom's consent before offering the cookie idea! This led to the patient being calm and cooperative for the procedure.
Karen is extremely patient, kind, caring, and comforting all of the time, and I thought this was a good example to share. She also is working on improving the process for our pediatric voiding cystourethrogram, and is collaborating with the pediatricians and radiology department. She has created an educational pamphlet for the parents and patients so they know what to expect and are prepared for this procedure. Some of these cases are starting to be done with anesthesia, so she is also collaborating with anesthesiology. Karen arranged for a pediatric nurse to come and give an in-service with pointers for catheterizing these pediatric patients since this population is new to our staff.
Karen is very passionate about the care these patients and their families receive and is doing everything she can to improve this process. Karen also purchased a little treasure chest with little toys and stickers for these patients to pick from after their procedure is over. She is a wonderful nurse!
Karen decided to delay putting the catheter in, the traumatizing part of the whole procedure, until the physician's availability was known. Karen continued to comfort and talk with the six year old patient and her mother for the 45 minutes. The patient was very upset when the process of inserting the catheter started so Karen continued to talk with her while inserting the catheter. Karen even offered the little girl her choice of cookie to pick after the procedure was done. One of the physicians had brought the unit cookies that day. Of course Karen had the mom's consent before offering the cookie idea! This led to the patient being calm and cooperative for the procedure.
Karen is extremely patient, kind, caring, and comforting all of the time, and I thought this was a good example to share. She also is working on improving the process for our pediatric voiding cystourethrogram, and is collaborating with the pediatricians and radiology department. She has created an educational pamphlet for the parents and patients so they know what to expect and are prepared for this procedure. Some of these cases are starting to be done with anesthesia, so she is also collaborating with anesthesiology. Karen arranged for a pediatric nurse to come and give an in-service with pointers for catheterizing these pediatric patients since this population is new to our staff.
Karen is very passionate about the care these patients and their families receive and is doing everything she can to improve this process. Karen also purchased a little treasure chest with little toys and stickers for these patients to pick from after their procedure is over. She is a wonderful nurse!