Jennifer is reliable, timely, compassionate, and a true patient advocate. Recently, Jennifer demonstrated her critical thinking skills and quick action to save a patient from having a major complication from a seemingly routine operation.
Jennifer received a total knee replacement patient from recovery. Jennifer was in the process of getting several patients with total joints so she went in to do her assessment and check the patient before moving onto her other rooms. On assessment, Jennifer noticed she could not get a pulse in the patient's operative leg. Jennifer got another RN to assess while she got the Doppler. After being unable to establish a pulse with the Doppler, she called the surgeon. Surgeon recommended loosening the dressing and to try again with Doppler and he would call back. She immediately loosened the dressing and tried again. The surgeon arrived to the unit and after another unsuccessful Doppler, had her call the vascular team. They arrived within minutes to the patient's bedside. After an assessment, the patient went to ultrasound to assess blood flow. There was no blood flow from the knee down to the patient's toes.
That evening the patient went for emergency surgery for thrombectomy and bypass graft to restore blood flow to the lower leg. The vascular surgeon stated that if any more time was lost on this patient she may have lost her leg. The patient went to the ICU over night before being transferred to the vascular unit.
Because of Jennifer's quick thinking and action, this patient has been taken to outpatient rehab and will regain all functional ability. Jennifer is the example of the critical work of the bedside RN. She is a true team leader on the unit, positive, compassionate, mindful of patient needs for the whole unit, not just limited to her assignment. She deserves recognition, not just for this example but for her continued passion and diligence to the nursing profession.