Gretchen Martino
February 2021
Gretchen
Martino
,
BSN, RN, CLNC
Inpatient Orthopedics
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
I was concerned I would miss Gretchen as her shift was over and report given. Rather I found her in the patient's room, using soap/water and a toothbrush cleaning the patient’s fingernails as they had become soiled with stool.
I have to share the amazing effort and care provided by Gretchen Martino, RN, a Staff Nurse on 9 west last Thursday. A patient arrived via the emergency room with a complex medical history. He got to the floor early afternoon at which point Gretchen texted me just to say he was there and looked okay. I was very busy and did not have time to go see him as his admission was completed. This often leaves a lot of pieces missing. Gretchen took the time to call the sending facility to get updated medications and obtain a thorough patient history. Interestingly, we had the wrong facility name and Gretchen found the correct facility. At that point, she called, spoke with the sending nurse for half an hour to get a thorough history and medication reconciliation. This was no easy task as he had over 20 medications.
As if that was not enough she called our pharmacist, went over the medications, and obtained a couple of recommendations for the non-formulary medications. Gretchen took the time to call the patient's daughter, who it turns out is an Occupational Therapist, verifying medications, obtaining a history, and updating the daughter. I was not able to get on the unit until about 7:20 PM and was concerned I would miss Gretchen as her shift was over and report given. Rather I found her in the patient's room, using soap/water and a toothbrush cleaning the patient's fingernails as they had become soiled with stool.
After this was completed, we sat down, went over all the medications, history and made a plan for the patient. To top it off before she left, which by Epic note was after 10 PM, she called and updated the daughter. I expect good nursing care from all our nurses. I have been a Jefferson Nurse since 1987, so I take great pride in the care we, as a group, provide. I have to say this went so far above the usual. I would never have been able to get all the medications started, reconciled, and updated the family that evening. The patient and family received AMAZING, ABOVE AND BEYOND the normal great care we provide. I hope this little note affords this Nurse some of the appreciation and admiration she so richly deserves. Oh, I forgot this is a COVID floor. How she and they continue to provide such excellent care is a true tribute to their dedication.
As if that was not enough she called our pharmacist, went over the medications, and obtained a couple of recommendations for the non-formulary medications. Gretchen took the time to call the patient's daughter, who it turns out is an Occupational Therapist, verifying medications, obtaining a history, and updating the daughter. I was not able to get on the unit until about 7:20 PM and was concerned I would miss Gretchen as her shift was over and report given. Rather I found her in the patient's room, using soap/water and a toothbrush cleaning the patient's fingernails as they had become soiled with stool.
After this was completed, we sat down, went over all the medications, history and made a plan for the patient. To top it off before she left, which by Epic note was after 10 PM, she called and updated the daughter. I expect good nursing care from all our nurses. I have been a Jefferson Nurse since 1987, so I take great pride in the care we, as a group, provide. I have to say this went so far above the usual. I would never have been able to get all the medications started, reconciled, and updated the family that evening. The patient and family received AMAZING, ABOVE AND BEYOND the normal great care we provide. I hope this little note affords this Nurse some of the appreciation and admiration she so richly deserves. Oh, I forgot this is a COVID floor. How she and they continue to provide such excellent care is a true tribute to their dedication.