Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare - 3

Community Briefs

In honor of National Nurses Week, we're
sharing stories of our caregivers who are
making a difference in the lives of our patients

OnLine

in good Hands

Tell Us What
You Think

Do you have a favorite nurse or caregiver
of your own? Visit www.comhs.org,
click on the hospital of your choice and
click "Thank a Caregiver."

Persistence Pays Off
Nursing Supervisor Angela Pinta at St. Mary Medical Center is known for her excellent clinical skills and keen observations. While assessing a patient after surgery,
she found the patient's condition was not improving, despite all lab test values being
within normal limits.
"Angela does everything in her power to do what is right for the patient with the
goal to improve communication and ultimately patient outcomes," says Chief Nursing
Officer Tammie Jones, RN, MS.
Angela's follow-up with the healthcare team paid off as additional diagnostic testing
revealed previously undetected internal bleeding. Her persistence got the patient back
on the road to recovery much sooner.

Angela Pinta, RN

Just Like famiLy
During a snowstorm last January, 4N Nursing Assistant Chaka Pleasant stayed overnight following her afternoon shift at Community Hospital. She had been attending
to a patient who was not doing well and was not expected to live much longer. Chaka
had taken care of the dying patient that day as well and was a regular caregiver. As the
hospital was making sleeping arrangements for the staff, Chaka requested to stay on
the floor and sleep in the patient's room so that in the event the patient passed away in
the middle of the night, she wouldn't be alone. The patient passed away the next day.
"Chaka always demonstrates sincere care and compassion to her patients," says
Chief Nursing Officer Ronda McKay, MSN, RN, CNS. "Because of her actions, this
patient was not alone in her final hours and it gave the patient's family comfort knowing
that someone was with their loved one when they couldn't be."

Chaka Pleasant

taking care tO Heart
During financial challenges, many patients have to choose whether to purchase their
prescriptions or buy food. Scot West, RN, nurse manager of St. Catherine Hospital's
Neurobehavioral Medicine program, makes sure his patients understand the importance of taking their medication to keep them well. Many times Scot has paid for his
patients' medications out of his own pocket or has taken a collection from staff.
"Nursing in neurobehavioral medicine can be a challenge, but to have leadership
and an example like Scot helps to make the entire patient experience a positive one,"
says Paula Swenson, RN, MS, chief nursing officer. "Because of his strong leadership skills, dedication to stewardship and compassionate heart, Scot works every
day to keep our patients healthy. High cost prescription medication is a leading
reason of noncompliance and oftentimes the reason why patients are readmitted to
the hospital."

Scot West, RN

SUM MER 2014

http://www.comhs.org

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare

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