Christine Jenkins
December 2023
Christine
Jenkins
,
RN
Invasive Cardiac
UPMC Mercy
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

She could not find a pulse. She contacted the Vascular Surgeon, and they too could not find a pulse. The next day, this patient was found to have an embolus to the right popliteal & post tibial artery, which they did a thrombectomy.
Christine made a difference in the care of a patient that potential saved his life. We had an inpatient who came to us for a TEE, pretesting for a Watchman. Additionally, this patient had recently been diagnosed with vascular issues by ophthalmology and had a recent bilateral temporal artery biopsy. Post TEE procedure, patient was in holding and speaking with Christine. He was telling her how he has been having issues with his right foot, which prompted her to check it out and she found that it felt cold. She could not find a pulse. She contacted the Vascular Surgeon, and they too could not find a pulse. The next day, this patient was found to have an embolus to the right popliteal & post tibial artery, which they did a thrombectomy. I am very proud that Christine did investigate further from the vague complaints that the patient had and did not just send the patient back to his room. It was her quick response and contact with the Vascular Surgeon group that this team was able to intervene without further damage to this patient.