August 2015
Melissa
Kerr
,
RN, ADN
ICU
Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States
Melissa's patient was experiencing a complication after a procedure, but she remained calm. She contacted the physician who performed the procedure and comforted the patient while holding pressure on the surgical site. When the physician refused to come and see the patient, she escalated and involved other members of the team including the intensivist, the charge nurse, and a CVICU nurse. She calmly and firmly held her ground on the matter. Once she was able to get the physician who performed the procedure to show up, she retained her composure and calmly suggested that they step outside of the room when the physician began to berate her in front of the patient. In the face of the confrontation, she insisted on her patient's needs with the backing of the other team members and the support of the lab work. Through her efforts, she was able to overcome significant obstacles to get things done for her patient. The next day, she was right there to give the same physician an update on the patient; bright-eyed and eager to advance her care despite the conflict on the previous day.