October 2010
Amy
Carmichael
,
RN
Labor & Delivery
The Christ Hospital Health Network
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States
The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
Amy took remarkable care of a patient and of her family on 9/2/2010. This patient came to Labor & Delivery with a history of being a gestational diabetic having had a C-section with her first child due to fetal distress and now was laboring with her second child. This patient was from Ethiopia and in her culture, a vaginal delivery was very important so she and her husband had decided that they wanted a vaginal delivery.
As the patient was laboring, her tracing became non-reassuring and it was the recommendation of her physician to have a repeat C-section. The patient and her husband refused this stating, “We want a vaginal delivery a friend of ours had a C-section with her first child and then did deliver vaginally for her second.” The physician continued to allow the patient to labor but was keeping a watchful eye on the tracing. The tracing continued to get worse throughout the evening. The physician again spoke with the patient and her husband informing them of the possible risk to the infant if a C-section was not done. The physician told the couple that the baby could end up with brain damage, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and even could die. The family still refused a C-section. Amy was this patient’s nurse. Amy remained at her bedside throughout the labor. Amy talked to the couple about the possible risks in a very professional yet respectful manner. Amy showed compassion and support to the couple while watching this tracing and worrying about the outcome of the infant. Amy demonstrated effective communication skills by keeping the charge nurse informed at all times and by initiating the Chain of Command along with the physician. Amy held this patient’s hand, rubbed her back, prayed with her and gave her support during this most difficult assignment.
Thankfully, this patient ended up having a vaginal delivery and the baby seemed to be doing well. Amy is the kind of nurse that patients, families and co-workers consider the best of the best.
Nomination was submitted by a peer from Labor & Delivery
Amy took remarkable care of a patient and of her family on 9/2/2010. This patient came to Labor & Delivery with a history of being a gestational diabetic having had a C-section with her first child due to fetal distress and now was laboring with her second child. This patient was from Ethiopia and in her culture, a vaginal delivery was very important so she and her husband had decided that they wanted a vaginal delivery.
As the patient was laboring, her tracing became non-reassuring and it was the recommendation of her physician to have a repeat C-section. The patient and her husband refused this stating, “We want a vaginal delivery a friend of ours had a C-section with her first child and then did deliver vaginally for her second.” The physician continued to allow the patient to labor but was keeping a watchful eye on the tracing. The tracing continued to get worse throughout the evening. The physician again spoke with the patient and her husband informing them of the possible risk to the infant if a C-section was not done. The physician told the couple that the baby could end up with brain damage, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and even could die. The family still refused a C-section. Amy was this patient’s nurse. Amy remained at her bedside throughout the labor. Amy talked to the couple about the possible risks in a very professional yet respectful manner. Amy showed compassion and support to the couple while watching this tracing and worrying about the outcome of the infant. Amy demonstrated effective communication skills by keeping the charge nurse informed at all times and by initiating the Chain of Command along with the physician. Amy held this patient’s hand, rubbed her back, prayed with her and gave her support during this most difficult assignment.
Thankfully, this patient ended up having a vaginal delivery and the baby seemed to be doing well. Amy is the kind of nurse that patients, families and co-workers consider the best of the best.
Nomination was submitted by a peer from Labor & Delivery