We had a child from the Bay Area admitted to our unit who was a Type 1 diabetic. This particular patient was considered a "brittle" diabetic because of broad, unexplained changes in their blood glucose concentrations and because of unexpected medical emergencies in the past related to their condition. This patient was on a strict insulin regimen and additionally had a complicated interventional carbohydrate count to insulin ratio that had to be administered with each meal and snack. The patient's parents were absolutely terrified because their child was in a psychiatric crisis and so far away from home, and to make matters even worse--that their child was so far away from their endocrinologist and care team that they had in place for them in the Bay Area. 

Alex C. was assigned to this patient, and part of her nursing duties were to carefully monitor this patient for episodes of hypo/hyperglycemia as well as monitoring her blood glucose and administering medications as ordered. During the shift, her patient was quite unstable, and Alex had to make multiple assessments and phone calls to coordinate care with the Bay Area endocrinology team, while keeping the patient's parents in the loop, relaying all information, and obtaining/implementing orders from our SCP medical doctor, calling our house supervisor to give them updates, and on top of all that, taking care of this child's emotional and physical well being. Not to mention, she had to document everything that she did and all the care she performed! Needless to say, her communication between the care teams and her coordination of care was amazing. I could realistically say it took hours of her time to accomplish this feat (and remember she had other patients to care for!!).

Listening to Alex reassure the patient's mother and also her utmost professionalism and knowledge when speaking to other team members was really incredible. Alex even took the time to help the child make their own food selections for their meal, and to make them feel welcomed and a part of the milieu. Alex assessed her patient throughout the shift to stay proactive in best practice nursing care. 

Ultimately, Alex was able to effectively keep her patient safe throughout the shift that evening, and on the other days that she willingly assumed care of this particular child. The patient's parents were extremely thankful to our staff, and especially Alex, for the care that their child received during their hospitalization! I believe that because of Alex and the exemplary nursing care of her patient, the hospitalization of this child had the best outcome possible.