Great Catches awarded at Westerly Hospital

After reviewing a report on a patient, Jennie Lawton, RN, ARCC’ed (Ask, Request, Concern and Chain of Command) her concerns about ongoing neurological symptoms, even though symptoms had already been documented and no interventions had been ordered. Due to Lawton’s concerns and subsequent report to the licensed practitioner, the team called a stroke code. Imaging proved the patient was having a stroke, and in just over an hour was in an ambulance enroute to Yale New Haven Hospital. “Thank you, Jennie, for advocating for the patient’s safety and utilizing our policies as a guiding light to ensure safe patient care,” said Teresa Meyer, RN, Quality and Safety team specialist.

Laura Mitchell, nursing assistant, was clearing the hallway when she found Pathology specimens labeled with patient information under an empty stretcher; the specimens were obtained earlier in the day and did not get delivered to the lab. Mitchell immediately notified the lab and hand delivered the specimens to a lab technician. Her attention to detail and going above and beyond ensured the specimens were successfully processed and the patient did not need to potentially repeat a procedure. “Thank you, Laura, for practicing HRO behaviors to ensure the best outcome for our patients,” said Michelle Marsh, RN, Quality and Safety team specialist.