Jasmine Jones
May 2023
Jasmine
Jones
,
BSN, RN
Northside Hospital Gwinnett
Lawrenceville
,
GA
United States
The attentiveness, kindness, and patience Jasmine showed toward this patient are all extraordinary examples of how impactful the role of the nurse is in our care delivery processes.
A patient was admitted to intensive care as a pedestrian who had been struck by a car while walking down the road. He was mentally altered, not verbally responding to commands, impulsive upon arrival and was intubated in the Emergency Department. His assessment revealed head trauma, including multiple cerebral bleeds. The ID card he was carrying indicated he was not from Georgia, and as such, no family could be located, even with the assistance of the police and our Social Services Department.
Six days into his admission, the patient continued to be minimally responsive on the ventilator. His altered mental status was attributed to his head injuries, and the decision was made for the patient to undergo a tracheostomy and PEG tube placement due to his failure to progress. The tentative long-term plan was to discharge him to an LTAC for continued care. However, the day before the trach was scheduled to be completed, Nurse Jasmine’s keen assessment skills revealed the patient seemingly trying to assist during one of his turns at the end of her shift. She thought this was out of the ordinary for a patient who could not follow verbal commands due to neurological injuries and deficits.
The following morning, Jasmine assessed that he was making what seemed to be purposeful movements with his fingers. She knew that this was not typical of similar patients for whom she had cared in the past and questioned if he truly did have a devastating neurological injury. Based on her exam findings, she wondered if he could be deaf, especially given the weak, yet purposeful movements of his fingers. Her attention to detail and intuition ended up being correct—the patient was, indeed, deaf. Once this was discovered, the team was able to accommodate him with appropriate translation services, determined that he was truly neurologically intact, and extubated him quickly. Thanks to her astute care, courageous actions, and demonstration of compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes associated with this patient, this nurse was able to prevent an unnecessary tracheostomy and impending discharge to a LTAC.
One can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for the patient to be unaware of what was happening to him for days, and there is no telling if anyone else would have even noticed these subtle signs that led her to believe the patient might have been deaf. The attentiveness, kindness, and patience Jasmine showed toward this patient are all extraordinary examples of how impactful the role of the nurse is in our care delivery processes, and how crucial the physical assessment is in the treatment and interventions we provide to our patients. She is a wonderful reminder of the authority and accountability we possess as practicing nursing professionals, and the responsibility we have to shape the outcomes of those who trust us with their care. As we all endeavor to protect the human welfare of every patient we touch and to courageously advocate for those in our care, let us be reminded of our duty to promote and protect the rights, health, and safety of every patient we serve. The DAISY Award for Ethics in Clinical Practice was designed to recognize nurses whose clinical practice exemplifies the importance of human values and ethics in nursing. Jasmine truly deserves to be celebrated for her compassionate care and is deserving of this DAISY Award for Ethics in Clinical Practice
Six days into his admission, the patient continued to be minimally responsive on the ventilator. His altered mental status was attributed to his head injuries, and the decision was made for the patient to undergo a tracheostomy and PEG tube placement due to his failure to progress. The tentative long-term plan was to discharge him to an LTAC for continued care. However, the day before the trach was scheduled to be completed, Nurse Jasmine’s keen assessment skills revealed the patient seemingly trying to assist during one of his turns at the end of her shift. She thought this was out of the ordinary for a patient who could not follow verbal commands due to neurological injuries and deficits.
The following morning, Jasmine assessed that he was making what seemed to be purposeful movements with his fingers. She knew that this was not typical of similar patients for whom she had cared in the past and questioned if he truly did have a devastating neurological injury. Based on her exam findings, she wondered if he could be deaf, especially given the weak, yet purposeful movements of his fingers. Her attention to detail and intuition ended up being correct—the patient was, indeed, deaf. Once this was discovered, the team was able to accommodate him with appropriate translation services, determined that he was truly neurologically intact, and extubated him quickly. Thanks to her astute care, courageous actions, and demonstration of compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes associated with this patient, this nurse was able to prevent an unnecessary tracheostomy and impending discharge to a LTAC.
One can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for the patient to be unaware of what was happening to him for days, and there is no telling if anyone else would have even noticed these subtle signs that led her to believe the patient might have been deaf. The attentiveness, kindness, and patience Jasmine showed toward this patient are all extraordinary examples of how impactful the role of the nurse is in our care delivery processes, and how crucial the physical assessment is in the treatment and interventions we provide to our patients. She is a wonderful reminder of the authority and accountability we possess as practicing nursing professionals, and the responsibility we have to shape the outcomes of those who trust us with their care. As we all endeavor to protect the human welfare of every patient we touch and to courageously advocate for those in our care, let us be reminded of our duty to promote and protect the rights, health, and safety of every patient we serve. The DAISY Award for Ethics in Clinical Practice was designed to recognize nurses whose clinical practice exemplifies the importance of human values and ethics in nursing. Jasmine truly deserves to be celebrated for her compassionate care and is deserving of this DAISY Award for Ethics in Clinical Practice