Danielle was nominated for her attentive eye and for catching signs of significant health risks in a cardiovascular surgery patient. The patient was waiting for discharge in the Cardiovascular Recovery department when he began to grimace in pain. Danielle noticed and began to question the patient and observe his condition. The pain seemed to pass quickly until the patient's newly placed pacemaker fired and the patient grimaced in pain again. Danielle realized there was a significant problem.
Danielle notified the Practice Coordinator who reviewed the ECG rhythm and called the PM representative who then realized one of the leads had become detached and was in the patient's ventricle. The patient returned to the operating room and received a lead revision.
"This avoided a possible lethal arrhythmia from occurring and was a great catch," her nominator wrote. Danielle's quick actions helped to save the patient pain and protect him from further health risks. Sometimes, it truly is the little things that count!