Deborah
Avalos
,
WOCN
Debbie was nominated for her professionalism and patient advocacy. This was specifically noted in January of this year when Debbie cared for a patient with a lower leg wound that had severely worsened.
While it is Debbie’s normal role to take care difficult wounds, this one was different. The wound had deteriorated very quickly and from her assessment, had become 100% nonviable. Recognizing the severity of the situation, and realizing there was no time to waste, Debbie raced into action to advocate for the patient to be considered for immediate surgery. Debbie not only contacted the administrative team but also the surgeon and the hospital bed coordinator to have the patient directly admitted into the hospital. Debbie even called the hospital after she arrived home, to make sure that the patient had been admitted. Subsequently, the patient had surgery within 24 hours of hospital admission.
Debbie’s swift actions were just in time. The patient recovered successfully and said, “Debbie has been fantastic, she really advocated for me, she saw what was going on with my leg, and took action! She has done a great job of following up with me and now I am having my graft this Friday. She is deserving of all awards that are offered.”
Thank you, Debbie!