Alyssa Mooney
January 2024
Alyssa
Mooney
,
RN
PCU
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Torrance
,
CA
United States
The sudden change in mentation was baffling. Alyssa's "Firefox" brain went into overdrive, and after a review of the patient's medications, Alyssa discovered that the patient had been started on Cefepime to treat her infection.
As an RN, Alyssa wears many hats at work — floor nurse, preceptor, Relief charge, LBR, Informal mentor, PCU "Firefox brain."
She is often known to fulfill the Providence promise of — Know me, care for me, ease my way, with patients and caregivers/peers.
When someone has a question/concem - the response is often, "Ask Alyssa," as she is known to explain the rationale behind the nursing interventions, correlating it with the medical interventions in the care of the patients.
An example of Alyssa's practice that stands out amongst many occurred recently. Alyssa was caring for a 102-year-old patient who had been transferred from the ICU to PCU. Before transfer, the patient had been intubated and extubated and was alert and oriented x4. The patient's family was always around, participating in the patient's care.
Then, the patient had an acute change in mentation. She was lethargic and could not recognize her family. The sudden change in mentation was baffling. Alyssa's "Firefox" brain went into overdrive, and after a review of the patient's medications, Alyssa discovered that the patient had been started on Cefepime to treat her infection. Alyssa noted that one of the side effects of the medication is "Cefepime-induced neurotoxicity," which is rare.
Alyssa advocated for the patient and collaborated with the doctors to discontinue the medication.
When we returned to work on the next day, the patient was regaining her mentation, FaceTiming her family, and could recall the names of family members and the caregivers at the end of the day.
It is important to note that Cefepime Induced Neurotoxicity can be difficult to recognize in critically ill patients. It was a teaching moment for us (FYI — every day is a teaching moment with Alyssa),
Alyssa is a true DAISY Nurse.
She is often known to fulfill the Providence promise of — Know me, care for me, ease my way, with patients and caregivers/peers.
When someone has a question/concem - the response is often, "Ask Alyssa," as she is known to explain the rationale behind the nursing interventions, correlating it with the medical interventions in the care of the patients.
An example of Alyssa's practice that stands out amongst many occurred recently. Alyssa was caring for a 102-year-old patient who had been transferred from the ICU to PCU. Before transfer, the patient had been intubated and extubated and was alert and oriented x4. The patient's family was always around, participating in the patient's care.
Then, the patient had an acute change in mentation. She was lethargic and could not recognize her family. The sudden change in mentation was baffling. Alyssa's "Firefox" brain went into overdrive, and after a review of the patient's medications, Alyssa discovered that the patient had been started on Cefepime to treat her infection. Alyssa noted that one of the side effects of the medication is "Cefepime-induced neurotoxicity," which is rare.
Alyssa advocated for the patient and collaborated with the doctors to discontinue the medication.
When we returned to work on the next day, the patient was regaining her mentation, FaceTiming her family, and could recall the names of family members and the caregivers at the end of the day.
It is important to note that Cefepime Induced Neurotoxicity can be difficult to recognize in critically ill patients. It was a teaching moment for us (FYI — every day is a teaching moment with Alyssa),
Alyssa is a true DAISY Nurse.