I underwent a coronary artery (to right and left) angiogram. Mike C. was my assigned RN. He calmed me with his gentle, caring manner. He explained everything from pre-op to the handover at post-op. He advocated for me when I explained, while on the Cath table, when I was awakened from conscious sedation, that I needed to use the bathroom NOW! I was not behaving in my normally patient and understanding posture. 

I needed to "go" NOW!

He was not angry but concerned, needless to say the timing couldn't have been worse. The interventionalist was still explaining to the assistant the size and nature of the LAD aneurysm, my arterial sheath was still in place. I just couldn't be still any longer. 

Loudly, I remember telling Mike I needed to get off that table before I wet all over. He told the crew that it was enough after we had a failed bedpan placement. I guess that placement was appropriate, but the patient, ME, couldn't handle it due to back pain. 

The important thing was that the procedure was successful, diagnosis with a prescribed treatment completed, no accidents throughout or even after the procedure. Sterility was maintained, and most importantly, Mike put his arms through mine while I was standing in front of him, and he ambulated quickly yet adamantly straight for the throne. He said, "I apologize wholeheartedly that I, being a man, am in the bathroom standing right over you while you do your business, but you are not going to fall."

Being that while I was employed as an RN and Clinical Nurse Specialist here at Franciscan MC for 12 years, I was the "Falls Queen". I appreciate his 'safety spiel' more than anything. 

Mike C. in Cath Lab demonstrated compassionate care, urinary urgency empathy, perfect sepsis procedures, effective patient teaching techniques, and patient safety like the PRO he is. For this (long and drawn-out) story, I nominate him for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses!

Good Luck Mike C. in Cath Lab!