Laurie Stuart, the assistant nurse manager of our 25 chair 149 patient unit, is a great nurse.
She pursued her CNN certification for her own personal satisfaction and encourages others in our facility to do the same. She attends local ANNA education days, vendor education programs and webinars as well as keeps up with current journal articles. She then uses these topics at staff meetings or with specific staff members to discuss the pros and cons of trying changes or to further support changes that were made. Examples of the changes are using Chloraprep for site cleaning instead of betadine, using transparent dressings instead of gauze, consistent taping procedures to prevent needle dislodgement during treatments, etc.

She searches for information and resources about new aspects of dialysis care such as using sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of calciphylaxis. She tries to bring in speakers to provide more complete information for all of the staff to get a better understanding of the various topics and complex aspects of dialysis.

She is very open to discuss situations and concerns with members of our team, including our physicians, as well as people from other centers either by phone, in meetings, or on the Specialty Practice Network. She is very cognizant of staff skills and level of practice. She uses this information to make the patient/staff assignments for in-center care. She is quick to notice and reinforce best practice methods being followed.

She also makes good use of educational opportunities that present themselves, for instance, a patient passed out during treatment recently which led to a review of the rapid blood return procedure at the next staff meeting. She makes use of the hospital learning network to present educational power points she creates for staff on topics such as pyrogen reaction, water treatment, hemolysis, etc. The information that is gathered from the various resources and then in turn presented to the staff is used to provide better explanations/education for our patients and to provide the best care possible with the information that is available.

Laurie has a wonderful relationship with our patient population and their families. She is always in the patient treatment area during changeover to help anywhere there is a need. She applauds a patient for making even small steps to improve him or herself i.e. better medication compliance, more reasonable UF goals and doesn't belittle the patient when labs, weights, etc. just aren't improving. She tries to get to know the patients personally and encourages them and their families to be involved and to understand what is going on and what to expect. She works hard to be flexible with patient appointments to allow patients to participate in family activities and not feel so isolated by this disease. This has become much more challenging the last couple of months because of the near absence of any empty appointment slots. She ends up having to negotiate with multiple patients to switch their appointments to meet the requests.

Laurie is very involved in the annual Kidney Walk and encourages the participation of coworkers, patients, and families. She has even provided transportation for a nursing home patient who routinely raised several hundred dollars a year for the cause, so that he could also participate. She is also very involved with our annual holiday party that we throw for the patients and their families.

Laurie Stuart is a great provider of quality care that leads by example as well as through education of staff that enables staff to teach patients and to provide the best care possible.