Michele McIntosh
June 2013
Michele
McIntosh
,
RN
Cardiovascular Stepdown
Peninsula Regional Medical Center
Salisbury
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

On March 28th of this year when I got off work at around 6:30 I decided to check on my Mother. She was located in room 3025 in the Layfield Tower. When I arrived I found Michele trying to locate the Doctor as my Mother's blood pressure was 225 over 118. She proceeded to contact the Doctor and followed his orders concerning a stat EKG and some cardiac enzymes. She stayed calm during a very stressful time for both Mom and
me. She placed all of the orders from her phone and/or the computer so that she did not have to leave my Mom's bedside. She knew that as I am a nurse I understood the gravity of the situation. My Mother's blood pressure was extremely high and her Magnesium and her Sodium were dangerously low. She coordinated the efforts of everyone involved in getting the lab results as well as the EKG and the chest X-Ray.

Since her shift ended at 7 AM, she could have handed this patient off at any time during this crisis, but she did not. She chose to stay with the patient until the Doctor arrived and decided to have my Mom moved to ICU for a Tridll drip. She assisted in the move and the whole time she was keeping my Mom calm and trying not to worry her any more than necessary. She was there for moral support for me as well. Since I was there alone her actions were greatly appreciated. It was after 8 when she finally got done with my Mom. I have no idea what time she finally got out of there that morning, but at no time did she make us feel that she wanted to be anywhere other than where she was - with us. Her demeanor and efficiency made a very difficult situation better. While attending to everything that the Doctor needed done, she also took the time to check on me and to talk to my Mom and keep Mom calm.

As a member of the nursing staff I am proud of Michele. As a family member of a patient, I am thankful that Michele was there in my time of need. I wish we could clone her. In lieu of that I would like to see her presented with the DAISY Award.