Patient was admitted to room 211 on May 14th with left arm weakness and numbness. The admitting provider ordered a stress test the next morning as the patient had stopped taking his BP medications due to a change in insurance. The patient was found to be hypertensive on admission. The admitting provider noted that there would be a follow-up MRI (head) following a CT done in the ER upon arrival with unclear results. Beverly Bates noted that there was not an MRI ordered, and contacted the attending provider to clarify the Plan-of-Care. The physician stated that he thought he had ordered the MRI, and placed the order, but kept the stress test order for the next day as active.

Early the next morning the MRI was completed, and the patient was found to be in the early phase of an acute CVA. The stress test was cancelled, and the patient received the appropriate care for the CVA diagnosis.

This nurse often finds errors in communication, documentation, and many patients have benefitted from this nurse thinking critically, and making a difference daily. This nurse epitomizes the value of compassionate care as she communicates her assessment findings and advocates for best-evidence care daily.