I want to recognize Anne Tropp for saving a life. A patient came to LFH for a routine outpatient EGD and Colonoscopy for iron deficiency anemia. Anne was doing a pre-procedural evaluation and recognized that the patient appeared very ill and debilitated. She promptly asked the Anesthesiologist and me to evaluate the patient at the bedside. As a team, we concluded it was best to cancel the procedures and have the patient evaluated in the Emergency Department. The patient was found to be in diabetic ketoacidosis and renal failure with significant uremia, hyperkalemia, and other metabolic abnormalities. Patient was admitted to the ICU and treated for these conditions.

Anne saved a patient's life by recognizing early that there was something wrong and expressing concern about the safety of pursuing elective GI procedures. I want to recognize her thoughtfulness, clinical intuition, and excellent communication skills. We are fortunate to have such a talented nurse in our department.