Kim Strang
October 2021
Kimberly
Strang
,
RN
University Hospitals Conneaut Emergency Department
Conneaut
,
OH
United States
Kim immediately advocated for this patient to the physician who was at the bedside of a trauma.
Kim is a passionate nurse who exudes special advocacy for the patients she serves. During a recent evening shift that Kim was working, a panicked mother presented under our ED canopy with her ill 13 yo. The young boy had been playing soccer on this 93-degree day. When his mom picked him up after the game, the boy complained of not feeling well and having a headache. His mother took him home and instructed him to take a cool shower and grab a Gatorade. His mom thought that he was overheated and dehydrated. After the shower, the boy sat down to eat dinner. He was still complaining of a headache, and now mom noticed that he was becoming lethargic and making statements that were "off" and not making sense. Mom decided to bring him to the ED. This is where Nurse Strang came in.
When this mother flagged for help upon arriving at our ED doors. Kim immediately jumped into action. She went out to the car where she noted to find this 13 yo boy that was lethargic and confused. Kim carried the boy into the ED and began her assessment. The department was full and busy with multiple critical patients, including a trauma. Kim immediately advocated for this patient to the physician who was at the bedside of a trauma. Kim was concerned with the child's mental status and asked the physician to come to the bedside quickly and expressed her opinion that a CT needed to be completed. The physician gave a few orders for her to get started quickly. Kim felt that the physician was not feeling the urgency and demanded the physician's attention. Due to Kim's persistence, the patient was sent to CT. This boy was diagnosed with a significant intracranial hemorrhage (midbrain). He was flown to RBC and was rushed into neurosurgery, where a ventricular drain was placed.
Kim's advocacy for this patient should be recognized. As we know every minute counts. She didn't take no for an answer. Because of these actions, this 13 yo boy was discharged home less than a week later, and with little residual effect. Please support me in recognizing her advocacy and giving this child the best possible outcome.
When this mother flagged for help upon arriving at our ED doors. Kim immediately jumped into action. She went out to the car where she noted to find this 13 yo boy that was lethargic and confused. Kim carried the boy into the ED and began her assessment. The department was full and busy with multiple critical patients, including a trauma. Kim immediately advocated for this patient to the physician who was at the bedside of a trauma. Kim was concerned with the child's mental status and asked the physician to come to the bedside quickly and expressed her opinion that a CT needed to be completed. The physician gave a few orders for her to get started quickly. Kim felt that the physician was not feeling the urgency and demanded the physician's attention. Due to Kim's persistence, the patient was sent to CT. This boy was diagnosed with a significant intracranial hemorrhage (midbrain). He was flown to RBC and was rushed into neurosurgery, where a ventricular drain was placed.
Kim's advocacy for this patient should be recognized. As we know every minute counts. She didn't take no for an answer. Because of these actions, this 13 yo boy was discharged home less than a week later, and with little residual effect. Please support me in recognizing her advocacy and giving this child the best possible outcome.