Leah Borchardt
June 2020
Leah
Borchardt
,
NP
Hospitalists- Adult
Ascension All Saints Hospital
Racine
,
WI
United States
There are too many stories to share but I would like to acknowledge Leah's hard work and dedication to our patients, ICU staff, and Ascension All Saints. I am a float pool nurse and have gotten to know and work with Leah while working in the ICU. She is always willing to educate staff and be a resource for the unit and hospital.
For example, a patient transferred to our unit on Bipap when he should have gone to the ICU. Respiratory therapy was concerned for the patient. I called Leah to come to 3C to assess the patient while I was waiting for the MD to call me back. She came to the unit, assessed and updated the MD, called the family, and treated him while the doctors were busy with their other patients. She stayed on 3C for a little bit more, but the patient suddenly changed condition. I called her and respiratory, she was there immediately and got transfer orders, the spoke to the wife and MD. The patient was transferred and emergently intubated needing Pressors. She saved his life!
The other night the ICU didn't have a charge nurse. One nurse pulled out of training early, multiple nurses with triple assignments. Leah stepped up and was the NP charge nurse, preceptor, and mentor to multiple new nurses, float staff, and travel nurses. I had two crashing patients, one needing to be emergently intubated, CRRT, 4 pressors, sodium bicarb drips, boluses, and dextrose. The plan was for this patient to have a palliative care consultation, but the family wasn't completely ready. So we got her stabilized and called the family.
Leah was able to speak with them and set up a plan. The family changed the patient to DNR code status with the plan to withdraw in the morning. The family returned in the morning, they saw Leah walking out, lunch bag and keys in hand, the daughter asked her to explain everything one more time and of course, she did! Once again, Leah's actions saved this patient from being coded and was able to pass away peacefully with her family by her side.
I just want to say thank you to Leah and show all of our appreciation. I have seen even the hospitalists ask Leah for her recommendations or hear "Is Leah there, ask her to treat," so thanks again for all your hard work and dedication.
For example, a patient transferred to our unit on Bipap when he should have gone to the ICU. Respiratory therapy was concerned for the patient. I called Leah to come to 3C to assess the patient while I was waiting for the MD to call me back. She came to the unit, assessed and updated the MD, called the family, and treated him while the doctors were busy with their other patients. She stayed on 3C for a little bit more, but the patient suddenly changed condition. I called her and respiratory, she was there immediately and got transfer orders, the spoke to the wife and MD. The patient was transferred and emergently intubated needing Pressors. She saved his life!
The other night the ICU didn't have a charge nurse. One nurse pulled out of training early, multiple nurses with triple assignments. Leah stepped up and was the NP charge nurse, preceptor, and mentor to multiple new nurses, float staff, and travel nurses. I had two crashing patients, one needing to be emergently intubated, CRRT, 4 pressors, sodium bicarb drips, boluses, and dextrose. The plan was for this patient to have a palliative care consultation, but the family wasn't completely ready. So we got her stabilized and called the family.
Leah was able to speak with them and set up a plan. The family changed the patient to DNR code status with the plan to withdraw in the morning. The family returned in the morning, they saw Leah walking out, lunch bag and keys in hand, the daughter asked her to explain everything one more time and of course, she did! Once again, Leah's actions saved this patient from being coded and was able to pass away peacefully with her family by her side.
I just want to say thank you to Leah and show all of our appreciation. I have seen even the hospitalists ask Leah for her recommendations or hear "Is Leah there, ask her to treat," so thanks again for all your hard work and dedication.