June 2024
Lucia
Bryant
,
BSN, RN
Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Tennessee Medical Center
Knoxville
,
TN
United States
I witnessed no hesitation on Lucia's behalf as she knew her attendance for this collection would ultimately be the best chance for treatment for this patient's cancer.
Lucia Bryant braved the weather by staying at the hospital overnight to prevent a cancelation of a patient procedure. As an experienced Apheresis Nurse, Lucia knew the detrimental loss that would take place if the patient who was scheduled to undergo stem cell collection had to be canceled due to staffing shortages related to weather. The stem cell collection process is only successful if the collection takes place at specific times. Otherwise, the patient would not have a successful collection of cells - thus resulting in a negative outcome in their care. Lucia stayed overnight to prevent this cancelation. She was the only Apheresis Nurse present for the collection, which shows exceptional confidence and sacrifice on her part. She remained calm and focused during the discussions around how the department would handle this conflict. I witnessed no hesitation on Lucia's behalf as she knew her attendance for this collection would ultimately be the best chance for treatment for this patient's cancer. Due to Lucia's efforts, this particular patient was able to continue with their stem cell collection and therefore go through with a successful stem cell transplant which treated their Multiple Myeloma.