March 2024 VUH Healthcare Heroes
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Nurse Leader of the Quarter: DeOnna Anderson-Washington, Nurse Manager – Radiology Nursing & Vascular Access - From DeOnna’s nomination: Patient for MRI under GA was already intubated and about to go into the scanner when it was discovered her weave had metal clips (cannot go into the scanner)! A decision was made to proceed and remove the weave and somehow DeOnna was made aware. She arrived quickly and began to examine the lady's head. After scrubbing w alcohol and adhesive remover (this took several minutes), DeOnna was able to remove the hair piece and metal attachments so the MRI could safely proceed. When the patient was awakened, she cried joyfully because not only did the weave process cost her more than $800, she did it to attend a very special social engagement in the following days. The alternative would have cost her much more and very likely would not have been possible given the timeline. DeOnna was a true hero to this lady and to the team. DeOnna is always supporting the team, but the incident above prevented many team members from MR, anesthesia, and ROCU from having to face a very disappointed patient. Role modeling the philosophy of every patient every time no matter the circumstances is profoundly important for a leader.
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Nurse of the Quarter: Aneli Lefiti, RN – C-POD - From Aneli’s nomination: Aneli provided exceptional patient care to a patient came in by EMS over a holiday weekend and was initially in the ED before moving to C-Pod since she had a young daughter with her and being over here allowed them to be more comfortable and not separated. By the time Aneli came on shift the patient had already been here for 35 hours. At this point, no one had taken the time to get an appropriate translator for her and understand what was actually going on. She spoke Kurdish but a certain dialect that made it difficult to get a translator for. Aneli sat on hold for 45 minutes the first time while patiently waiting for a translator and then made an appointment to speak with the translator again once the psychiatrist could be at bedside. The entire reason the patient was brought to the ED was misunderstood. EMS believed her to be trying to commit suicide by placing her hands in a choking position on her neck en route to the ED and the story spiraled from there but the patient actually was having flashbacks of when her brother tried to strangle her a few months prior and she now has PTSD and relives this scene over and over which she was trying to explain, however could not explain this in English. In addition to her being strangled, her husband and four other children were murdered and her last daughter and her were able to get away and come to the United States. The psych team initially decided that the patient would need involuntary admission which would mean the daughter would be taken away from her and placed with social services. Aneli did such a great job and took the time to sit down with her and hear her story and ask pertinent questions as to why she was here and what happened. She also spoke up when necessary to make sure she was properly evaluated and received the care she decided. Because of Aneli’s efforts, the patient was ultimately able to be discharged home with her daughter. The patient was so thankful to Aneli and said she took wonderful care of her.
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Ancillary Staff Member of the Quarter: Jeffrey Holston, Assistant Manager – Transport Services - From Jeffrey’s nomination: Jeff embodies the spirit and credo of Vanderbilt. He is so incredibly kind and always says hello in the hallway EVERY SINGLE TIME. He takes the time to specifically learn people's names and is so kind to patients. One specific time he went above and beyond was when we had had an internal mass casualty. He responded to the ED and C pod, jumping in to help however he could and never once complained or said anything uncredo. He was proactive in helping with patient movement and elevated appropriately to his leadership which got us more resources. Jeff gives everyone he encounters the respect and empathy they deserve while also putting a smile on their face. I have witnessed him many times connecting with patients and making them laugh, even if he is only with them for a brief time during transport.
VUH Healthcare Hero Past Recipients
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