August 2014
Doreen
O'Brien
,
BSN, RN-BC
Medical-Renal-Gerontology
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown
,
NJ
United States
Doreen has a very positive attitude, ever caring and team-focused in an ever-changing patient population and surging patient census. She is one that makes a very chaotic day much more bearable. Doreen's laughter is uplifting and contagious. Staff refers to her as a great team player, always assisting whoever is in need. Patients and families consider Doreen their advocate. When she is away, she is missed greatly.
Doreen has always proven that a nurse's gut feeling must be followed. There are multiple occasions where Doreen has shown tremendous team-effort with successful patient transfers to higher level of care. Below, is an example of one of Doreen's persistent efforts for advocating for her patient.
A 32 year old female Hispanic patient was admitted to our unit for Lupus flare ups, looking pale, in a lot of pain and some shortness of breath. She was placed on continuous Oxinet and her O2 saturation was normal. Her lung sounds were diminished at the bases. Doreen's gut feeling was something is going on with the patient so she notified the physician. The residents assessed the patient and felt no need to be alarmed, no new orders were given. Doreen's suspicions continued to alarm her, causing her to go up the chain of command with the next resident level. She reminded this resident a second time and explained that she would call the Rapid Response Team if no physician arrived to assess the patient in the next 15 minutes. Doreen also notified her immediate nursing supervisor. A Resident came immediately but refused pulmonary consult. After assessing this patient, Residents felt the need to transfer the patient to a higher level of care. She was transferred with orders for additional tests and a CT scan which Doreen suggested. A chest tube was inserted for this patient within minutes after her chest CT result was in.
Persistent referral and consistently advocating for one's patient is what Doreen believes in. She is very strong clinically and this scenario is just one of many events where Doreen's timely interventions provided the patient with needed medical intervention.
Doreen has always proven that a nurse's gut feeling must be followed. There are multiple occasions where Doreen has shown tremendous team-effort with successful patient transfers to higher level of care. Below, is an example of one of Doreen's persistent efforts for advocating for her patient.
A 32 year old female Hispanic patient was admitted to our unit for Lupus flare ups, looking pale, in a lot of pain and some shortness of breath. She was placed on continuous Oxinet and her O2 saturation was normal. Her lung sounds were diminished at the bases. Doreen's gut feeling was something is going on with the patient so she notified the physician. The residents assessed the patient and felt no need to be alarmed, no new orders were given. Doreen's suspicions continued to alarm her, causing her to go up the chain of command with the next resident level. She reminded this resident a second time and explained that she would call the Rapid Response Team if no physician arrived to assess the patient in the next 15 minutes. Doreen also notified her immediate nursing supervisor. A Resident came immediately but refused pulmonary consult. After assessing this patient, Residents felt the need to transfer the patient to a higher level of care. She was transferred with orders for additional tests and a CT scan which Doreen suggested. A chest tube was inserted for this patient within minutes after her chest CT result was in.
Persistent referral and consistently advocating for one's patient is what Doreen believes in. She is very strong clinically and this scenario is just one of many events where Doreen's timely interventions provided the patient with needed medical intervention.