February 2012
Heidi
Rittenour
,
RN
Rapid Response Team
Camden Clark Medical Center
Parkersburg
,
WV
United States

 

 

 

Nomination from a patient family:

In November, my mother was a patient in Heidi’s care on the third floor of your hospital CCMC. She had been experiencing a number of health problems over the past months and was now faced with the low red blood cell count. To us, this was a critical issue because Mom is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and in accordance with the Bible’s teaching in Acts 15:29 and in Gen. 9:4, she does not accept blood transfusions. Because of this, it was decided by her doctor that she be sent to OSU medical center for further medical care. It was after these arrangements had been set in motion that she spoke with me and suggested that she could be sent to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio which she knew was a blood conservative hospital and that they were better equipped to handle patients with Mom’s issues.

In the late hours of the evening, after speaking with family and at our request, she took the initiative to contact and even wake up all the necessary personnel in order to have Mom taken to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio instead of the OSU Medical center. At this point, I, as well as all other members of my family, am convinced that this change literally saved my Mother’s life. Because of the thoroughness and aggressiveness of the medical personnel at Grant Hospital, Mom’s red blood cell count was brought back to normal levels without the use of a blood transfusion.

When I spoke with Heidi on November 30th and thanked her for all of her efforts, she assured me that she had done nothing special. However, as far as our family is concerned, her efforts and concern are far above special. She did not have to make us aware of an alternative facility, nor did she have to get on the phone to wake people up at night, or make all the necessary arrangements for this change to take place. Her efforts in this matter were more than special.

To our family Heidi’s efforts were spectacular. She is very much appreciated and her care and consideration will always be remembered.