Katie Sterling
February 2019
Katie
Sterling
,
RN
Surgical Services
Central Vermont Medical Center
Berlin
,
VT
United States

 

 

 

During the admission process Katie learned that this patient was supposed to be on home O2 but didn't have it upon admission, she stated she was homeless. patient's O2 SAT upon admission was 82%. Katie placed her on our wall O2, the patient also had an elevated blood sugar of 402. Katie contacted the surgeon. The surgeon ordered patient their home insulin dose, Katie administered promptly. Katie continued to advocate for the patient regarding the travel O2 and called care management who informed her that because she had existing home oxygen that they could send her home with a tank. Thanks to Katie's perseverance, this patient did not end up in the emergency room due to her lack of oxygen or her elevated blood sugar. The patient instead left with a travel O2 tank and more controlled blood sugar. Katie pushed her lunch off until she made sure the patient's needs were all taken care of and escorted the patient to her car.