Josh
Lancaster
December 2012
Josh
Lancaster
,
RN
A500
Good Shepherd Medical Center
Longview
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

Josh had a patient who was complaining of being short of breath. He implemented position changes so the patient had necessary posture to facilitate adequate breathing. Her O2 sat increased, yet she continued to have labored breathing. He immediately called the primary physician, updated the doctor of the patient status as well as informed him of current ABG values while simultaneously monitoring vital signs. He ensured new orders were received and implemented immediately. Josh also informed not only the patient, but also the family present at the bedside of her current respiratory status, the means necessary to improve it, and also steps that may need to be taken if her breathing does not improve.

He always makes sure that the patient understands not only their condition, but also the rationale behind the actions he performs. The patient ended up having to be intubated due to declining status, but the patient was always fully informed, which decreased her anxiety levels. He is compassionate in his care he gives to every patient, but this patient in particular was so grateful of the care he gave that she told each family member what a great nurse he was.

I feel that word of mouth is very important, especially for not-for-profit hospitals and several of Josh's patients leave the Good Shepherd Health System with a positive view of not only the nurse that took such good care of them, but also GSMC as a whole.