Anthony
Opimo
December 2013
Anthony
Opimo
,
RN, BSN, CPHON
Radiation Oncology
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States
When Radiation Oncology began a department-wide remodeling project in September 2012 to May 2013, the entire department had to move to another part of the hospital to continue providing care for cancer patients.
For eight months during the remodel, Radiation Oncology nurses took on the responsibility for inpatient transport via an ambulance and coordination of radiation treatment at the University of Los Angeles (UCLA), while continuing with oncology care at CHLA. Throughout this challenging period of renovation, Anthony was the key to smooth inpatient care.
Thamani Delgardo, BS, RN, RTT, who nominated Anthony on behalf of CHLA Radiation Oncology Department, explained, "Anthony was the de facto transport nurse for all inpatients requiring radiation therapy treatments since September 2012. He took on the role of a care manager due to the extraordinary level of coordination required to ensure patients were transported in a timely and safe fashion daily. Anthony was the coordinator between inpatient unit staff and managers, Schaeffer Ambulance service and UCLA's Radiation Oncology Department."
With such complex coordination involving multiple departments, units and teams, Anthony served as the pivotal point of communication. "The information he summarized and provided was extremely thorough, detailed and clear."
Because UCLA's Radiation Oncology Department treat very few pediatric patients, it was critical that their nurses receive training from CHLA nursing staff. Anthony was the leader in training UCLA's nursing staff on how to care for pediatric radiology oncology patients receiving treatment under anesthesia. Anthony assisted in updating and creating Radiation Oncology Department policies and procedures at CHLA, to incorporate renovated department, equipment and workflow.
While accepting the award, he humbly remarked "I thought I was just doing my job. Everyone has been eager and willing to help."
Anthony is an exemplary nurse because of the knowledge, skill and leadership that he has demonstrated. "Anthony routinely arrives early and stays late to assist patients, families, nurses, physicians and other employees."
For eight months during the remodel, Radiation Oncology nurses took on the responsibility for inpatient transport via an ambulance and coordination of radiation treatment at the University of Los Angeles (UCLA), while continuing with oncology care at CHLA. Throughout this challenging period of renovation, Anthony was the key to smooth inpatient care.
Thamani Delgardo, BS, RN, RTT, who nominated Anthony on behalf of CHLA Radiation Oncology Department, explained, "Anthony was the de facto transport nurse for all inpatients requiring radiation therapy treatments since September 2012. He took on the role of a care manager due to the extraordinary level of coordination required to ensure patients were transported in a timely and safe fashion daily. Anthony was the coordinator between inpatient unit staff and managers, Schaeffer Ambulance service and UCLA's Radiation Oncology Department."
With such complex coordination involving multiple departments, units and teams, Anthony served as the pivotal point of communication. "The information he summarized and provided was extremely thorough, detailed and clear."
Because UCLA's Radiation Oncology Department treat very few pediatric patients, it was critical that their nurses receive training from CHLA nursing staff. Anthony was the leader in training UCLA's nursing staff on how to care for pediatric radiology oncology patients receiving treatment under anesthesia. Anthony assisted in updating and creating Radiation Oncology Department policies and procedures at CHLA, to incorporate renovated department, equipment and workflow.
While accepting the award, he humbly remarked "I thought I was just doing my job. Everyone has been eager and willing to help."
Anthony is an exemplary nurse because of the knowledge, skill and leadership that he has demonstrated. "Anthony routinely arrives early and stays late to assist patients, families, nurses, physicians and other employees."