I am a nurse at Mercy General Hospital on the Cardiac Intervention Unit (CIU) floor.  I am working with a new grad nurse resident named K for orientation to CIU. K and I were assigned a patient who would be transferred to us from the VA ED. When we were informed that we would be getting this patient, we did our usual research.  The patient did not have a very extensive health history, just osteoarthritis. We could see from the “community view” of the patient’s chart that he had a DVT and saddle PE. At the VA ED, the patient was placed on a heparin drip and was to be transferred to MGH for a thrombectomy.  

Our break RN took a report from the VA RN. The break RN informed us that the doctor at the VA intended to stop the heparin drip for transportation. This is not the usual practice, but the transferring facility was unable to get a CCRT ambulance.  I hastily asked Robin, the nurse calling the report, if I could call back because  I wanted to inform the accepting physician that the heparin drip would be stopped for transport. I informed the physician who confirmed that it was not appropriate to stop the drip for transport.  I informed Robin.  Robin was able to facilitate a conversion between the MGH physician and the physician from the VA.  She patiently waited for the physicians to speak and determine how the transport would proceed.  I say Robin waited “patiently” in contrast to my own reaction, I was very concerned for the patient’s safety and starting to behave, I’m embarrassed to admit, like a stressed out nurse.  Robin kindly said, “I hear you, and I understand your concern,” she told me the patient was being placed on the gurney by EMTs.  

K and I proceeded to prepare the room for the patient.  We notified everyone, we were not sure what condition the patient would be in when he arrived.  However, when the patient was wheeled up by the EMTs, I noticed that he was still on the heparin gtt. I was so relieved and so happy to see the smiling, cheerful patient chatting with Robin. I said, “Oh, the patient is still on the heparin gtt?!?”  Robin, who has the composure of an experienced and knowledgeable nurse, calmly and reassuringly replied, “I heard your concern, and I asked my manager if I could come with the patient so we didn’t have to stop the drip.” I was a little embarrassed because I was not sure how intense I must have sounded on the phone. But when I saw her, all I could say was, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”  

The amount of respect I have for Robin, a nurse I met so briefly but who had such a profound impact on her patient’s safety (not to mention my mental health, lol, is immense. Even though the encounter was brief, she will always be an inspiration to me and my nursing practice, and it was certainly a valuable lesson for K, the nurse resident, as well. 

I would also like to thank the unit manager for allowing Robin to put her patient’s safety first, and the nurses of the ED because they had to take many urgent phone calls from me about this patient.  You must have a great team that promotes support and trust.  I wish you all the very best; keep up the great work!