April 2021
Cassandra
Rech
,
RN
Emergency Department
Valley Hospital Medical Center
Las Vegas
,
NV
United States
Casey pushed again for the Cat Scan, which had revealed a LARGE bleed. Casey has just completed her first year in nursing and most likely saved this man’s life.
A patient was brought to the ED by EMS after a head-on collision in which the patient was the driver. On scene the patient was determined to be intoxicated and that DUI was the cause of the accident. The patient was placed in a hallway bed upon arrival due to the suspicion of ETOH. . A Metro officer arrived at the patient’s bedside shortly after arrival. Casey was walking by and asked if the officer needed anything. The officer notified Casey about the suspected DUI and asked if Casey could draw blood as evidence in the case against the patient. Casey assessed the patient and noticed something did not make sense. The patient was covered in vomit, insisting that he did not drink alcohol and said that he “didn’t feel right” multiple times. She asked the officer why DUI was suspected and was told that the patient had nystagmus on the scene. Casey also noted the nystagmus but also assessed neglect on the left side. Casey alerted the mid-level provider in charge of the patient’s care of her assessment findings. The provider did not seem concerned with the new development, but Casey pushed and eventually initiated a code white. Casey’s initial NIH score was 11 and the provider’s score was only 4. Casey pushed again for the Cat Scan, which had revealed a LARGE bleed. Casey has just completed her first year in nursing and most likely saved this man’s life. I would like to recognize Casey for her courage to advocate for what she believes is in the best interest of her patient. It’s difficult to challenge any physician but especially as a young RN.