Jerricca, a very special RN, lifted my spirits with her sense of humor, helped me with her instructions and probably saved me from a life-threatening hemorrhage.

I was a patient at Banner Heart Hospital undergoing a cardiac catheterization. Before the procedure, Jerricca prepared me for the procedure and was there when I returned from the cath lab. As I lay there, I suddenly experienced aching in my right forearm. The area was hard and swollen! The pain increased, and she said, “Something is not right here.” Within seconds, Jerricca rushed to my side, applied firm pressure to the area with both hands, and wrapped my forearm snuggly with cling wrap. In a few minutes, she asked other nurses to continue holding pressure while she telephoned the cardiologist. I was alarmed and anxious, but Jerricca assured me that these bleeding episodes were not extremely rare. I was reassured by her calm demeanor and her cold, soothing, gloved hands. I loved those cold hands!

Not only did Jerricca continue the outstanding nursing care with a smile, but she called the cardiologist to strongly suggest that I be admitted overnight. Jerricca told me the insertion site could possibly reopen if I tried to go home, resulting in a high risk of hemorrhage and even death! She said, “We’ve had some horror stories about patients who tried to go home in this situation.” The cardiologist admitted me, and I felt relaxed and much safer. The next morning, I was discharged home without any further complications.

Jerricca gave me excellent care, and her nursing interventions may have saved my life!