Recently, Sarah admitted a patient that wasn't doing well at all. The patient was positive for influenza but presented significantly worse than a typical patient with the flu; the parent was overwhelmed and visibly distraught. Sarah, in a short amount of time, gained this parent's trust by advocating for further care, as she knew something else was going on. She utilized her resources, calling RRT, her charge nurse, and the doctor. When she asked for an antibiotic, she was met with, "It's a virus, you shouldn't need an antibiotic," but Sarah believed the patient was septic. She was right.

The patient was taken to CT where it was discovered that the patient's spleen had ruptured. The patient coded while in CT but because radiology is right next to the trauma bay, they received immediate care and lived. The doctor was so impressed by Sarah's autonomy, advocacy, and collaboration that he said she very likely saved the patient's life.

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Sarah noted the change in clinical status of her patient, a previously healthy teenager, and vociferously advocated for the patient to get the care he needed. While initial assessments were falsely reassuring, Sarah worked for 2 hours to escalate care. When the patient arrived at the step-down unit, the patient rapidly decompensated. The patient eventually underwent, successfully, a code and was found to have a ruptured spleen, a highly emergent surgical pathology. Saray Conroy's insistence on advocating for her patient has likely saved a child's life or given him a chance at recovery. I believe her actions also demonstrate her exemplary practice in the art of nursing and the integrity to do the utmost for her patients.