CFMH Pre-surgical Testing Great Catches

Melissa is our Pre-Surgical Testing nurse for the OR at CFMH and ensures all of our patients have the required lab work and tests completed for there specific surgery. Her job is vital because she is our first line of contact with our surgical patients. She notifies the surgeon, anesthesia, and staff of any potential issues. Two prime examples were this past Friday when she had not one, but TWO great catches. The first patient was still taking her Plavix and she notified the surgeon so that her surgery could be rescheduled safely. The second patient had a procedure scheduled that required him to have an EKG done. Upon reading the EKG it was shown that the patient was having a myocardial infarction. This patient was notified and was asymptomatic but was encouraged by the physician to go to the Emergency Department. The patient's troponins were elevated and he was sent to Roanoke where he underwent a cardiac catheterization. Had Melissa not ordered these tests the patients may have had a much different outcome. Thank you Melissa for always putting our patients safety first!

Shannon Crouse, RN