... Deb is not only an amazing nurse director she is a nurse above all else. She may be a member of multiple committees and a strong MMC leader but she always keeps the patients as a priority. We care for a unique population of patients that have a history of chronic seizures in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). Recently Deb was busy in her office but heard a commotion across the hall from her door. She responded immediately knowing that a patient was at risk. She flew into the patient's room to provide the safe efficient care needed at that moment. The patient was having a grand mal seizure while sitting up in the recliner chair. Although this was a larger gentleman Deb was able to keep the patient from sliding to the floor and incurring further injuries. She remained with the patient and worked with the assigned RN to see the patient through a frightening time. She offered reassurance to the patient reminding him that he was ok, "you're having a seizure, and we will stay with you". Deb continued to monitor the patient for several minutes and with the help of the team was able to get him safely to bed after the event ended. Many patients are very sleepy and lethargic after this event and have difficulty moving. But this didn't deter Deb from using whatever leverage she could to help support the patient and keep him from falling. Once the patient was safely in bed she stayed to be sure he felt comfortable and safe and the staff could resume the patient care. These are often very stressful times for the patient but Deb was able to provide the sensitivity that the patient needed in that moment.

After the situation was well under control Deb took the time to meet with the staff involved and used this time as a teachable moment. We routinely care for these patients that we put at risk as they are weaned from their seizure medications and it is our responsibility knowing this to keep them safe. The question explored was around the use of a recliner chair for patients at risk for seizing. Because of the potential seizure activity these patients can have we need to be extremely diligent to provide safety at all times. A decision was made to discourage the use of the recliner chair for this patient population especially in a confined space. Deb always uses the team approach to problem solve and create new guidelines for the patients we care for.

Another example of how Deb's patient focused care and sensitivity as a role model promotes practice excellence in care delivery was when a patient and her husband shared a CPAP machine that was broken while preparing for transfer to New England Rehab therefore needing eventual replacement of their personal equipment. Deb heard about the mishap and immediately went to work to resolve the situation in the best way possible. It was a difficult and tedious process that required multiple phone calls. The respiratory department was involved to identify what the patient needs were and to determine who actually needed/used the CPAP, was it the husband's or the patient's or both. What was the hospital's obligation to the patient financially? It was discovered that both the patient and her husband shared the equipment which meant that now two people were at risk for compromise. Through Deb's persistence and determination the matter was resolved and the equipment was replaced for the couple. This is another example of Deb's commitment to patient advocacy that went beyond the normal expectations.

Deb often puts herself in the place of the patient to gain a keen understanding of their experience and is able to meet patient needs in an exemplary way. She is truly empathetic and supportive of the patient and always strives to guarantee excellence through care delivery. This is Deb's practice every day.