Dyan Woolman
August 2024
Dyan
Woolman
,
RN
Specialty Clinic
Battle Creek VA Medical Center
Battle Creek
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Dyan's critical thinking skills and quick intervention may have clearly saved this gentleman's life.
Veteran arrived to the Urology clinic alone for a scheduled injection. Upon arrival, Dyan took the veteran's vital signs and noticed he was slightly hypertensive, blood pressure 144/93 and a slightly elevated heart rate of 115. The veteran dismissed his slightly abnormal vital signs and told the nurse it was a result of recent exercise/ambulation. Dyan had previous experience with the veteran and was aware that he had a cardiac history and was on a beta blocker. She investigated the symptoms further and discovered the veteran had been experiencing chest pain for approximately one week after suffering a fall at home. She got an order to perform an EKG and the veteran was found to have sinus tachycardia, with a 2nd degree AV block. Medical emergency was called and the veteran was transported to hospital and admitted. While inpatient the veteran got two stents and a pacemaker placed. I nominated Dyan for her willingness to go the extra mile and lean into her knowledge and expertise. She was not willing to accept the veteran's interpretation for the cause of his symptoms and took the necessary steps to identify any underlying health complications. Dyan's critical thinking skills and quick intervention may have clearly saved this gentleman's life.