Pam Kean
December 2021
Pam
Kean
,
CRNA, RN
PACU
UW Medical Center - Northwest
Seattle
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

Pam models professionalism, a passion for patient care, an endless drive to better herself and her anesthesia practice, and a commitment to working effectively as a positive team member.
Pam has been the lead CRNA since the inception of CRNA practice at NWH; this occurred in July of 2018. Since that time, our practice has increased by 325%. I have practiced anesthesia for 15 years in a variety of settings in many parts of the country, and I personally believe this group is particularly talented and cohesive. Pam models professionalism, a passion for patient care, an endless drive to better herself and her anesthesia practice, and a commitment to working effectively as a positive team member. She expects that from us as well, of course, which I believe creates a tremendously professional and motivated group. She has developed very positive relationships which I think greatly contributes to how well this anesthesia group works together. In addition, she is very proactive in solving problems or issues before they affect patient care; communicating personally with pharmacy, the various surgical teams, blood bank, EP to help navigate the management of pacemakers; the list goes on.

Pam was one of the very first instructors for moderate sedation many years ago at Montlake and has since been instrumental in incorporating this course at NWH. Pam worked tirelessly with the MD and the diabetic committee to develop new diabetic protocols that are supported by current literature and best practice for our patients. This was a huge undertaking and a very necessary update to our current practice. She worked passionately identifying and presenting the best billing practices and anesthesia care models to ensure NWH receives appropriate reimbursement for CRNA-provided anesthesia care. Pam incorporated the CRNAs into the pre-anesthesia clinic and regularly serves as a resource to the pre-anesthesia RNs. She doesn't hesitate to share her personal contact information with those who have questions or concerns regarding patient care and appropriate anesthesia work up.

At the height of covid in 2020 and the uncertainty and anxiety that surrounded that time, Pam once again was an admirable leader. She initiated communication with pulmonologists, internists, and ICU charge RNs. Pam organized and arranged for all the CRNAs to extensively shadow in the ICU with doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists. She did this prior to any request for our help from the ICU staff. As CRNAs, we are all previously trained as ICU RNs and currently practice anesthesia caring for a variety of acutely and chronically ill patients. We regularly manage airways, intubate, place invasive lines, etc. Pam knew we had the knowledge base to be invaluable if our covid numbers truly became an overwhelming crisis, and she asked all of us in the CRNA group to volunteer to function in any capacity that the ICU needed to deliver safe care for our patients in need.

As a group, it's important that we express how inspired and impressed we are with Pam as an anesthesia provider and our supervisor. We truly believe much of the success of the CRNA group at NWH is a result of her work and passion. We collectively appreciate Pam's leadership, are hopeful that she will consider staying in the position long term, and wish her to have recognition.

Note: This is Pam's 2nd DAISY Award!