Velma Kelly
June 2014
Velma
Kelly
,
RN
Medical Surgical
Homestead Hospital
Homestead
,
FL
United States
On March 1, 2014, Nurse Velma Kelly had a patient in room 5021 that was very confused. This patient was so confused that he was bound to have an accident if Velma had not been extremely vigilant of him. As the morning hours passed on, the patient grew more and more confused. He was difficult to handle and care for. The PCS was notified of the need for a sitter for this patient, however at that point there was no sitter available. Velma attempted to reach the patient's family and after several attempts finally contacted the patient's spouse who agreed to remain with the patient at the bedside. In the meantime, she positioned by the patient's room as a precautionary measure and to prevent an accident or fall. Velma had the patient's safety and well being as per priority. The patient's spouse finally arrived and behold, the situation at hand was actually worse than that of the preceding situation. The patient's spouse had medical and safety issues herself. The spouse ambulated with a walker since she had recent knee surgery. She now needed to care not only for the patient but it seemed that he/she was caring for the spouse as well.
To make matters worse, the spouse informed Velma that she was diabetic and that her sugar was dropping as she had not had breakfast prior to arriving to the hospital, without hesitation got the patient's spouse a sandwich to eat and juice and that problem was solved. This was not only a busy morning with this patient, but also with all the rest of the team that she had under her care. About an hour after the sugar incident, the spouse decided that she would no longer remain at the patient's bedside due to the patient becoming abusive to her. At this point the spouse had no transportation home and Velma patiently took ownership of the situation at hand and called family members of the spouse until finally found a neighbor that was willing to pick up the patient's spouse and take her home.
Though this entire situation Velma remained calm and kept composure! She was exceptionally helpful to the family member. Velma was also capable of providing safe and quality care to the rest of his/her team. I know that Velma went above and beyond for this patient and his family member. I also know that due to her compassionate care and vigilance, she prevented what could have been a very bad outcome for her patient.
To make matters worse, the spouse informed Velma that she was diabetic and that her sugar was dropping as she had not had breakfast prior to arriving to the hospital, without hesitation got the patient's spouse a sandwich to eat and juice and that problem was solved. This was not only a busy morning with this patient, but also with all the rest of the team that she had under her care. About an hour after the sugar incident, the spouse decided that she would no longer remain at the patient's bedside due to the patient becoming abusive to her. At this point the spouse had no transportation home and Velma patiently took ownership of the situation at hand and called family members of the spouse until finally found a neighbor that was willing to pick up the patient's spouse and take her home.
Though this entire situation Velma remained calm and kept composure! She was exceptionally helpful to the family member. Velma was also capable of providing safe and quality care to the rest of his/her team. I know that Velma went above and beyond for this patient and his family member. I also know that due to her compassionate care and vigilance, she prevented what could have been a very bad outcome for her patient.