Kim Blair has been a part of the Outpatient Infusion Clinic for the past five years. While she is an M-Staffer, you would never know that her FTE is not a part of our staff. She is committed and dedicated to providing phenomenal care to our patients. On a regular basis she goes above and beyond to make sure that our outpatients are being cared for while in the hospital and in the community.

Just recently, Kim was an integral part in improving a patient's care - significantly! The patient is diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis; she has been in the ED and hospitalized numerous times in the past three years. This is a life threatening problem that requires immediate venous access. She currently has a port in place but was directed by her Kaiser physicians not to keep it accessed. While Kim and the patient were discussing her concerns of multiple IV sticks, lab draws and the ability for staff to access her port they decided that the patient would benefit from more education. Kim organized for the young patient and her mother to meet with our Oncology CNS for additional education. This education was beneficial to both of them. Keeping a port accessed can be done safely and is followed by many oncology patients.

After a recent hospitalization, Kim went to this patient's room and accessed her port so that it could be used instead of endless pokes as the patient was getting labs frequently. This positive relationship between the patient and nurse has enabled the patient to feel empowered to take control of her care. By using Kim's advice, the patient asked for a case manager to assist with her concerns of getting port access when she is at Memorial North. Her inpatient MD also encouraged this and through this process her Kaiser doctors agreed that she can safely leave her port accessed and come to the infusion clinic for needle and dressing changes. This has been a huge stress taken from the patient and her mother as port access has been a consistent worry for the patient. The patient will now have access readily available when she has an emergent situation.

This is only one example of the positive impact Kim has had on our patients and their families. She is truly an asset to the Outpatient Infusion Unit and a remarkable representative of a nurse at UC Health.