As a hospital Nurse Practitioner, I have always enjoyed having Brittney Curle taking care of my patients. When she has my patients she always does an amazing job, keeps me informed with what might be going on with the patient, and she has always had exemplary critical thinking skills. However, this particular patient I think she definitely went above and beyond, as well as modeled all the Sentara Customer Commitments to always keep you safe; always treat you with dignity, respect and compassion; always listen and respond to you; always keep you informed and involved; and always work together as a team to provide you quality healthcare. When I found out that Brittney was going to have one of our frequent hospital patients, I knew she was going to do her best, however, she gave way more than her best for this one.
This particular patient was readmitted after being discharged less than 24 hours prior. She went home and did not get her medication filled because she was discharged very late in the evening and her normal outpatient pharmacy was closed. Her son-in-law was supposed to fill them for her, but he got off work too late. When she got home she continued her medication she was on before admission and then subsequently ended up back in our emergency department. Brittney got the previous prescriptions from the patient and I printed out one more and we decided to have the patient fill them here, so she would have them prior to discharge. It was also this patient's birthday and Brittney took the time to decorate her hospital room, which was very sweet. The patient was scheduled to see a pulmonary specialist; however, her appointment was several weeks away. We worked together and got the patient new appointments as well as a disc of her chest x-rays and CT scans from the radiology department to take with her to that appointment. She was also set up with the CHF Clinic for close follow up. The patient was supposed to have discharged home with a Xiopatch heart monitor on her previous admission and Brittney called down to the Echo Lab to get one for her prior to discharge. Brittney talked to the patient and her daughter at length about maintaining a CHF friendly diet and watching her fluid intake. This patient disclosed that she was drinking a case of bottled water every day! When Brittney reviewed the patient's discharge instructions, she noticed that her lasix had been resumed as a PRN order rather than a scheduled dosed like she had been getting while in the hospital. Brittney and I had great communication throughout the patient's hospitalization. I'm so thankful that she was there to help manage this patient with me and to tie up loose ends!
Note: This is Brittney's 2nd DAISY Award!