Liz Hill was instrumental in saving a patient's life! Upon arriving on the neuroscience ICU, I started making rounds and while trying to be present during the bedside shift report, I was only able to hear that the patient was stable overnight without issues. However, upon walking into the room and starting my neurological assessment, this was not the case. Pupils were dilated, breathing was rapid and there was more hemiparesis then the previous day.
I quickly stepped outside the room and asked for the nurse, Liz, to come in with me to speak about the patient's assessment. Quickly asked about a follow-up CT of the head that was ordered this morning. She stated that it wasn't done yet. As a result, I asked her to please call the CT department and take the patient down right away as I felt that the patient was hemorrhaging. Liz promptly called the CT department and within 1-2 minutes she was escorting the patient with the stretcher down to imaging. CT confirmed an active hemorrhage which triggered me to activate neurosurgery which mannitol and a decompressive craniotomy was performed. Hours turned into days with the brain function improving. The patient progressively improved and was moved from the unit to the floor. Subsequently, the patient was discharged to rehab with a good prognosis of recovery.
If it wasn't for Liz jumping into action, this patient would not be here today. Nurses are a key factor in the lives of our patients. The brain is crucial to a person's wellbeing and the most minuscule difference in a patient's assessment and change in a second. I'm happy to work with such skilled and caring nurses. I'm happy and truly lucky to have such a dedicated nurse like Liz!