Kelly Ellis
October 2018
Kelly
Ellis
,
BSN, RN
Surgical Critical Care Unit
Spectrum Health Butterworth
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Kelly has provided inspiring care to a specific patient. Her first day getting this patient and her first day full time in the SICU, she immediately got the patient into a chair from bed (first time since admission) before 8:00 am. The patient had gotten a trach the day prior. Kelly weaned the patient of propofol, fentanyl and precedex meds within her first day with the patient, and early second day with the patient.
She additionally asked me to decrease the oxycodone dose, and then the next day asked to stop scheduled oxycodone because it was too sedating. She was absolutely correct. Kelly also:
(1) Asked to move a patient early in the day to ensure it got done (she then later in the day got her up to the chair again). She additionally got a new admit and coordinated procedures with both patients.
(2) Asked to wean/stop sedating narcotics on a trach/vented patient. (We all know this should be done, but I think Kelly was more persistent than most to accomplish this).
(3) Weaned sedation/pain meds multiple times without being prompted/asked. This patient was able to come off the vent and t-piece almost solely due to Kelly's dedication to doing what was best for her patient. She clearly puts the patient first, not what is easiest for her.
Any patient who gets Kelly as their nurse, and any doctor who gets Kelly as their patient's nurse, has won the hospital lottery! She makes the physicians look great because her hard work improves the patient's chances of a quick recovery.
This patient has a chance to leave the hospital for rehab instead of LTAC, because of Kelly's hard work weaning meds and getting her up. She did all this while admitting and discharging other patients and taking great care of them as well.
She additionally helped another patient and a nurse by placing an IV that the patient's nurse could not get. She had the patient the day before and notified us that he was more confused the day prior, which led to a work up. Her work ethic and dedication to her patient's outcomes is inspirational for all caretakers (nurse techs, nurses and doctors). She is a fantastic role model for how to care for patients.