Laura Tedrick Garcia
May 2022
Laura
Tedrick Garcia
,
RN
Critical Care
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - St. Joseph Medical Center
Tacoma
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

It is very likely that this clinical decision initiated by Laura saved this patient's life!
During multidisciplinary rounds, Laura expressed concern regarding the progression of a wound on a patient. She described in detail the exact characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis. This prompted the critical care team to reassess the patient. Surgery was consulted and I took the patient to the OR urgently. Laura’s astute clinical judgment changed the patient’s clinical course significantly. It is very likely that this clinical decision initiated by Laura saved this patient's life!

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My father suffered a severe stroke that ultimately resulted in his death. While he was in the hospital, Laura was his nurse multiple times. Due to visitor restrictions, there was a prolonged period when we weren't able to see my father. During that time Laura was always great about giving updates and answering my questions. Laura was also my father’s nurse on the day my brother and I were able to see him and made the decision to take him off the ventilator. On that day, Laura demonstrated all the features of an excellent nurse: compassion, professionalism, knowledge, and teamwork. It is encouraging to know that, even after enduring the added stress covid has created for healthcare workers these last few years, there are still nurses like Laura with a passion for providing excellent nursing care.