Charity Carbaugh
September 2019
Charity
Carbaugh
,
RN
RN Team Lead, Primary Care Skyline Medical Office
Kaiser Permanente Ambulatory Care: Northwest
Portland
,
OR
United States

 

 

 

As a coworker, I have seen Charity in action many times with patients, staff, and providers. She is sharp, compassionate, caring, kind, empathic, no-nonsense, and always professional. She exemplifies the core values of nursing in every interaction. Recently, I had the fortune of her caring for me as a patient. She was quick in her assessment, she knew exactly what needed to be done, and she made quick work of getting me the care I needed; when and where I needed it.
***
A 49-year-old patient was phone triaged by Charity. This member was having significant issues with increased thirst, with new-onset nausea and vomiting, in the setting of a new diagnosis of diabetes. The member wanted to come into the clinic, thinking she was dehydrated, for an IV (which would have worsened her situation). Charity promptly realized that something else was going on, presuming she was in a diabetic crisis. She consulted me and we determined she needed evaluation in the emergency department. We were able to facilitate a smooth transition to the ED through RTMC, expediting care. The member was found to be in diabetic ketoacidosis and admitted to the hospital for further care and treatment. She showed amazing skills for assessment and collaborative care to help this member in need in expediting appropriate care.