Jennifer Houck
June 2015
Jennifer
Houck
,
BSN, RN
Pulmonary Cardiac Telemetry
Lancaster General Health
Lancaster
,
PA
United States
Submitted by the physician:
Patient HH was in the hospital for her cardiac disease when she had a sudden change consistent with an acute CVA. Neurology was asked to see the patient in a routine manner however Jennifer called in the consult stat; she gave a great detailed history and the patient was transferred to the TNU where she was given tPA in a timely fashion. Jennifer's concern and care for her patient permitted the best treatment for her patient.
I want to tell each of you about a story that just happened on 4 West this past week and remind each of you that you play a critical role in each patient's stay here at Lancaster General Hospital, it gives me chills as I read this story.
Submitted by the Nurse Manager:
Jennifer Houck on 4 West arrived to the unit just like she had many other days. However this nurse was provided care for a patient, HH, who had a history of afib and was admitted with chest pain and rapid afib. On April 8th HH had a cardiac catheterization that showed mild non-occlusive CAD and we were going to perform medical management and she was set for a possible discharge the next morning. Around half way through Jen's shift, she found the patient to be less responsive and a flaccid right side. Jen was very concerned and paged the CRNP. This particular nurse ensured the consult to neurology was performed stat as that was appropriate for her patient.
Jen decided to call in the consult as stat and obtain a head CT for the patient. The head CT was negative for a bleed, however showed evidence of a clot in the left MCA. Due to the rapid assessment and interventions performed by Jen, this patient was within her window of time for tPA treatment and received this tPA (a clot busting agent) within a short period of time in the TNU. The repeat head CT showed an acute left MCA infarct for this particular patient. Dr. M (Neurologist) clearly dictates that without this intervention and no treatment to the patient, this patient would have suffered a massive stroke.
I know each day to be a struggle and at times we may leave our work frustrated. Each of you are providing superior care to your patients and you need to realize you are saving lives each day. I want to commend each of you for your hard work and dedication, but also I would like to particularly call out Jennifer Houck, BSN, RNIII, for her expertise and rapid interventions that saved this woman from suffering a massive stroke. Our patients trust the care that each of you provide and I commend each of you for all your hard work that you perform on a daily basis. I am proud and humbled to be called your Nurse Manager.
Patient HH was in the hospital for her cardiac disease when she had a sudden change consistent with an acute CVA. Neurology was asked to see the patient in a routine manner however Jennifer called in the consult stat; she gave a great detailed history and the patient was transferred to the TNU where she was given tPA in a timely fashion. Jennifer's concern and care for her patient permitted the best treatment for her patient.
I want to tell each of you about a story that just happened on 4 West this past week and remind each of you that you play a critical role in each patient's stay here at Lancaster General Hospital, it gives me chills as I read this story.
Submitted by the Nurse Manager:
Jennifer Houck on 4 West arrived to the unit just like she had many other days. However this nurse was provided care for a patient, HH, who had a history of afib and was admitted with chest pain and rapid afib. On April 8th HH had a cardiac catheterization that showed mild non-occlusive CAD and we were going to perform medical management and she was set for a possible discharge the next morning. Around half way through Jen's shift, she found the patient to be less responsive and a flaccid right side. Jen was very concerned and paged the CRNP. This particular nurse ensured the consult to neurology was performed stat as that was appropriate for her patient.
Jen decided to call in the consult as stat and obtain a head CT for the patient. The head CT was negative for a bleed, however showed evidence of a clot in the left MCA. Due to the rapid assessment and interventions performed by Jen, this patient was within her window of time for tPA treatment and received this tPA (a clot busting agent) within a short period of time in the TNU. The repeat head CT showed an acute left MCA infarct for this particular patient. Dr. M (Neurologist) clearly dictates that without this intervention and no treatment to the patient, this patient would have suffered a massive stroke.
I know each day to be a struggle and at times we may leave our work frustrated. Each of you are providing superior care to your patients and you need to realize you are saving lives each day. I want to commend each of you for your hard work and dedication, but also I would like to particularly call out Jennifer Houck, BSN, RNIII, for her expertise and rapid interventions that saved this woman from suffering a massive stroke. Our patients trust the care that each of you provide and I commend each of you for all your hard work that you perform on a daily basis. I am proud and humbled to be called your Nurse Manager.