I want to recognize Johanna Ortiz for demonstrating excellence through clinical expertise. A patient admitted from the ED was found to have DVT. Heparin drip was started in the ED. The weight on the heparin drip was based on what the nurse in ED had documented, which was 54.4 kg. A few hours later, the patient was admitted in the Progressive Care unit. Johanna weighed the patient at 38.85 kg. She realized that there was a big weight discrepancy and notified pharmacy right away. The clinical pharmacist ordered PTT 2 hours earlier and it came back greater than 120. If the drip had run at a higher rate for a longer period of time, it could have potentially harmed the patient. This was a great catch by Johanna, recognizing the importance of weight-based dosing.
Johanna is not only excellent in her clinical expertise, but she's also received many core value cards from our patients for giving extraordinary and compassionate care.
Johanna is a dynamic caregiver who brings a smile every day to the unit. She has the ability to calm a high-stress situation or brighten the room with her infectious giggle. She aims to aid others in need, whether a co-worker or patient and truly demonstrates our core value of compassion.
Johanna is compassionate and caring not only to her patients but also her peers. She's dependable and never complains no matter how hectic and chaotic her shift is. She's a team player and always has a calming and positive aura. She's a gem to the PCU family. The team, including myself, adores her. She's also our awesome party planner for the unit and has given so much time and energy to make every event we have special. Johanna Ortiz, you ROCK!