In the past 24 hours, Barb has twice partnered with me in creatively staffing the CICU. The CICU went to the 0500 staffing meeting on June 11 needing six additional nurses. Although NICU was not required to send NICU ECMO nurses to the CICU, Barb offered the staff in an effort to meet overall patient needs. Barb's actions were appreciated by everyone on the day shift in the CICU. This evening (June 11), Barb has again far exceeded my expectations! Shortly into the night shift, one of the CICU ECMO nurses became ill and needed to be leave. When I asked Barb if she had any available staff, she considered the request, and within a couple minutes, had made arrangement to change four NICU nurse's assignments in order to free up an NICU ECMO nurse, who was then able to pick up the CICU ECMO assignment.

Thanks to Barb, emphasis on patient care needs and her willingness to partner with other departments, the care provided to the CICU was seamless and all CICU staff overjoyed with Barb's actions.

Tuesday morning, Barb's approach to staffing permitted the patients in the CICU to receive optimal care while ensuring NICU staff had opportunity to work within their FTE and not take unscheduled ETO and assisted in decreasing the amount of overtime involved in the CICU during this busy time. Tuesday evening, Barb's thoughtful staffing arrangement allowed the CICU patients to continue receiving outstanding care, while permitting an ill employee to leave work without infecting others.