Kristina came on shift to a patient having very subtle neurological changes throughout the day along with new onset of bradycardia. Kristina quickly performed a neuro assessment with her peer and recognized something wasn't right. She had the hospitalist come to the bedside to assess the patient. This led to a STAT head CT that showed significant neurological changes. This patient ended up having emergency surgery for a craniotomy with an ICP placement.
Kristina's close attention to detail led to life saving interventions for a young mother in her 30's. The following days where touch and go for this young woman, where it was unsure if she would survive. This patient has since made a great recovery and is in the process of rehabilitation, working hard to get back home to her children.
There is no question that without Kristina following her intuition and advocating for this patient, those subtle neurological changes may have been over looked and this patient may not have survived.