August 2024
Sharon
Abele
,
BSN, RN
Surgical Services
Jefferson Health-East
Stratford
,
NJ
United States
Shanie reported her findings to anesthesia and the surgeon. Even though the patient was still stable, Shanie felt something was not right.
Shanie is a compassionate nurse who always wants to make sure her patients receive the best care she can provide. This particular day was no different. Shanie was covering another nurse for break in Phase II recovery. During report she was asked to check another BP before discharging the patient to home. She was informed the patient had a history of hypotension. Shanie went to check on the patient shortly after and took another set of vitals. Upon assessing the vitals, she had a gut instinct that something was not quite right and began checking vitals more often and saw the BP started to dip lower each time. While talking with the patient, the patient mentioned falling recently. Shanie reported her findings to anesthesia and the surgeon. Even though the patient was still stable, Shanie felt something was not right. Instead of letting the patient go home she called the ED and sent the patient to be evaluated. Short of the story, the patient had a bleed and was transported to Jeff Main where she was admitted to the ICU. The ED doc informed Shanie she probably saved the patient's life, and the patient barely had a BP leaving for Jeff Main. Shanie truly made a difference in the care of this patient through her thorough assessment skills, compassion, and dedication to providing the best care for her patient.