Terri Ritterpusch
March 2013
Terri
Ritterpusch
,
RN
ICU
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Baltimore
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

Recently a 25-year-old mother was admitted to the intensive care unit after a cardiac arrest at home. She had the flu, she was trying to work through it and she continued to work and care for her 2 kids; taking Dayquil and over-the-counter drugs trying desperately to fight off the flu. She was admitted to the ICU, continued to cardiac arrest multiple times, required multiple pressors and an emergent intra-aortic balloon pump. The decision was made to transfer her to John's Hopkins for additional cardiac interventions. As the ambo crew arrived, the family gathered around her bed for a prayer. The crew secured her onto the stretcher, and with teary eyes, Terri said, "Take good care of our girl; she has 2 small children home."

Terri folded the prayer shawl and handed it to the patient's mother, hugging her as tears streamed down her face. The family had wonderful things to say about Terri and the care that she provided and her attention to detail. Upon follow-up, the patient continued to cardiac arrest that night at John's Hopkins. She later started to wean off of her pressors. Reverend Cherie called the unit later that week; she asked to speak to the family and was shocked to hear the patient on the other end of the phone.

The family also commented on Terri's dedication to her orientee. A niece was in nursing school and the patient's mother commented "watch her she knows what she is doing".

This patient was able to come back and be part of the award presentation to Terri, tears everywhere as she thanked Terri again for her wonderful work and dedication as she truly would not have known who had taken care of her if it wasn't for this award or for her own family members speaking of Terri as she was unresponsive or sedated the entire time she was at Franklin Square.