December 2014
Pam
Waterbury
,
ADN RN
Acuity Adaptable Cardiac/Renal Step Down Unit
Mercy Health Saint Mary's
Grand Rapids
,
MI
United States

 

 

 

Pam demonstrated excellent nursing care one night while taking care of a patient whose condition had declined over the past 24 hours. She advocated for her patient throughout the shift and was not satisfied until an answer was found. When Pam came on the shift the patient was drowsy and difficult to arouse, when awakened she was confused. Her heart rate had become irregular and more bradycardic with pauses that were occurring. As the patient's condition worsened, Pam advocated for her patient and made numerous calls to the covering physicians asking them to come see the patient. Pam began searching through the patient's chart to try to find clues that would explain what was going on. Pam's ceaseless detective work led to the patient's labs. Here she found a potential abnormal lab that she suspected was the cause of the patient's problems. She shared her findings with the physician and labs were repeated to verify the issue. The patient was then promptly treated.

Pam's advocacy and dedication to this patient is just one example of the excellent nursing care she gives to her patients.