January 2018
Kathryn
Kerth
,
RN
Kaiser Permanente - The Appointment and Advice Call Center - Sacramento
Oakland
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

Kathryn received a call from a patient concerning a head injury. The member had a history of Coumadin use and now had a head injury. Kathryn was astute enough to know something was wrong and convinced him to act instantly. The member went to the ER that day. Per the member statement, "the doctor said she saved his life. If he had not have come in right away he would possibly be dead. The member was diagnosed with a traumatic subdural hematoma. The member reminded another nurse during his call on a later date that as we go into the future of nursing, how the call center nurses are so important. Many times, they are the first line of defense for the safety of lives. This member was very emotional and expressed how one should never underestimate the value of an advice nurse. He wanted to make sure he gave credit where credit was due and thank this nurse for her expertise and intervention, which made a difference between his life and death.