Lindsay Angelini
October 2023
Lindsay
Angelini
,
RN,BSN,CNRN
7C-Neuro ICU
Allegheny Health Network, Allegheny General Hospital
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Lindsay developed an instant bond, advocated for the patient, and did not give up.
Imagine being in your early 30s and welcoming your second child into the world. Delivery was uncomplicated and all seemed to be going well until postpartum day 6 and suddenly everything changed. You suffer a brain bleed from a hypertensive crisis and now you are admitted to the ICU at a larger hospital; your husband is left to care for a toddler and infant while your care is entrusted to healthcare providers, not part of your normal treatment team.

Now imagine you are a nurse who has a 16-month-old at home, your delivery at first was normal and then you suffer a hemorrhage, end up in the ICU, have blood transfusions, medications, separated from your infant and your husband is devastated, fearing that he will lose you. Your road to recovery was long, but you made it. You returned to work and have been successful in caring for your ICU patients. You came into work, on a normal day and your assignment is the patient six days postpartum. At first, you are a bit apprehensive, is this too close to what you experienced? However, being the nurse that you are you step up to the plate and assume care of the patient.

Shortly after getting report, the nurse discovered that the patient wanted to breastfeed her infant all of her milk was being pumped and dumped, no real consistency with time frames. The nurse spoke with the patient and decided to call the lactation consultant at West Penn Hospital for guidance. Supplies were sent to AGH for the patient and also it was discovered that the milk was suitable for the baby. The nurse also discovered that there were no consultants from OB as part of the treatment team at AGH. The nurse asked the patient which OB group she saw and asked for permission to contact the physician to alert them of her being at AGH.

The patient's OB group had no idea that she had been admitted to AGH. The nurse worked closely with the patient and her husband to optimize her care. This nurse went above and beyond, and spent a great deal of time with the patient and her husband. She developed an instant bond, advocated for the patient, and did not give up. Displaying the professional practice model the nurse kept the patient at the center of her focus. Relationship care was evident, including the patient, husband, and the lactation consultant.

The nurse exhibits all of the Core Behaviors established by AHN. She is a trusted member of the team, collaborating with another hospital to optimize her patient's care. Purposeful execution ensures that all needs are met while also educating other staff members. This nurse is a shining example of a DAISY Honoree. She is exceptional and is not afraid to go the extra mile for a stranger. She cares for her patients as if they were her own family. She develops a rapport with the patient and family and advocates for them during her shift and beyond. She follows up with the patient during their stay even if she is not assigned to them. The nurse kept the assistant nurse manager informed of the progress she made with the patient so that we could share it with the staff should this situation arise in the future.