October 2011
Kim
Washam
,
RN
med/surg
Bethesda North Hospital
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

Kim was the nurse for a patient in June. When she came in on shift and began her assessment of the patient, she noted the patient to be tachycardiac and hypoxic requiring oxygen to keep saturation up. She immediately informed the attending physician and a stat CT scan of the chest was ordered and obtained which confirmed bilateral pulmonary emboli. She continued her anticoagulant treatment and was subsequently discharged. She called back after discharge to thank the nurse who was caring for her as she felt that nurse “saved her life.” Kim’s excellent assessment skills and instincts led to the discovery of this potential life threatening condition. Kim is an asset to this unit and to TriHealth!

Additional nomination same nurse
Dear Kim I need to say “thank you” for helping me on 6/23. I was a complete knee replacement patient and you were my night nurse. Late that night you saw something you didn’t like and phoned my doctor for advice. They found blood clots in my lungs that might have been missed had I moved the next day, as planned. You have virtually saved my life and I just want you to know how much I appreciate you for what you did for me. I hope Bethesda appreciates what a good nurse they have in you. I thank God that you were my nurse.