Megan Kershner, BSN, RN

A patient was transported to our PACU for close observation from the ambulatory surgery center after experiencing an unanticipated acute hypoxic respiratory failure during a routine procedure. Megan assumed care and immediately established rapport, recognizing a significant disparity in this patient's healthcare. This patient had been recently released from incarceration and was hospitalized shortly thereafter due to discontinuity of medical care precipitating a life-threatening condition. Although stabilized and discharged from this hospitalization, the patient did not quite understand the severity of his condition or appropriate measures to intervene and make strides towards improvement in his health. In my experience, I feel there is a looming subconscious bias against patients who have been incarcerated, and this, too many times, leads to preventable disparities in health outcomes. Megan took the time to sit down with the patient, understand the timeline of events that led to us caring for him in the PACU, and explain in layman's terms what happened and what next steps he needs for follow-up and treatment. By taking the time to explain these things with compassion and a sense of urgency, Megan helped educate and empower this patient to take charge of his health where others have fallen short for him in the past, and I believe as a direct consequence of her effort, this patient has a real chance of changing his course and making a meaningful recovery instead of continuing to deteriorate and progress to life-threatening chronic health problems. In doing so, she went far above and beyond what her job required and demonstrated an admirable sense of motivation and patient advocacy that I found very moving.