A patient from a nursing home was scheduled for surgery and was on a ventilator. When this patient arrived at the surgical pavilion for surgery, none of the staff was notified ahead of time to arrange the ventilator for this patient. Mai Khuat, the nurse at the moment received the patient. Our department was not aware in advance.

Usually in this situation, the ventilator would need to be reserved, and a respiratory therapist would need to stay with the patient. The respiratory therapist set up the ventilator but could not stay with the patient due to his busy schedule in the emergency room. Mai Khuat, the preop nurse, had to stay with the patient. Thank goodness, Mai has ventilator experience from working on the 5W respiratory floor. She was able to monitor the patient, provide tracheostomy care, suction, and made sure the patient was stable respiratory-wise prior to going to the operating room. She understood how to manage the vent and suction when the vent alarms would go off.

This was a very sudden situation that required immediate attention due to it being a respiratory/airway situation. Mai Khuat took the initiative to take over and handle the situation in a calm and assertive manner. The patient felt safe, and less anxious prior to surgery. Mai Khuat updated his family on this situation. She also gave an update and communicated respiratory status and ventilator settings with the anesthesiologist. Mai Khuat showed valued qualities such as excellent assessment skills, excellent decision-making capabilities, and excellent clinical skills. She focused on Patient & Family-Centered Care and collaborated well with Physicians and all members of the healthcare team.