ICU Strong - December Winners
We are now halfway through the ICU Strong Campaign, and it looks like we have a shakeup in who won overall in December! Winners for last month are:
Overall ICU Strong Trophy/Banner Winner - PICU
Overall ICU Strong 2nd Place - 8 MTN ICU
Overall ICU Strong 3rd Place - 7 SICU
Most ICU Strong Story Submissions - PICU
Most Great Catch/Near Miss Report Submissions, 1st Place - NICU
Most Great Catch/Near Miss Report Submissions, 2nd Place - 8 CST ICU
Top Quality Points Earned - 9 MTN ICU and 9 CST ICU
Increased ICU Strong Story Submissions, November into December - 8 MTN ICU, 9 SICU, PICU, and 7 SICU
We have also highlighted a random ICU Strong Story of the Month from each ICU unit that submitted stories - please read and enjoy the camaraderie!
10 MTN ICU - I’d like to give a sincere shout-out and thank you to the 10MICU team for their outstanding teamwork and collaboration yesterday (12/30/2025). Two critically ill trauma patients arrived simultaneously, and both required ICU admission at the same time. With the ED in Code Yellow and the only available Trauma ICU beds located in 10MTN ICU, the staff and leadership stepped up without hesitation. Both patients were accepted in rapid succession, helping to support the ED and expedite high-quality care. Thank you, 10MTN, for consistently going above and beyond and for providing extraordinary care to our trauma patients!
4 CST ICU - As I came onto shift, an ECMO patient was decompensating. Katelin Walls, RN stayed late from her shift to make sure bases were covered for night shift. She drew ISTAT labs, helped to troubleshoot, and PerfectServed perfusion to update. After settling down in my room, I realize that Morgan Shoun, RN had also stayed to help on the unit. And Kyle Tompkins, RN came from PACU area to lend a helping hand as well. This is one of many examples I could give regarding the commitment and teamwork from CSICU.
7 SICU - Liz took the time to listen to the patient and her family about how the patient felt unheard by the care team when they would come to give updates. Liz took the time to communicate this concern to the various teams as they rounded so that they could enhance provider-patient communication. Thank you, Liz, for taking to the time to communicate her concerns to the teams.
8 MTN ICU - Last week at the Giles Board meeting, one of our Board members wanted to share a praise for Dr. Davis and Melissa Bittner, RN, for the care they provided to one of his family members. He spoke so highly of each of these individuals, and he said the care provided could not have been better. He wanted to ensure that each of you know what a difference you made in the life of his family member and the care of his family. Thank you both so much for living our Carilion values! ~ Kristi Hall DNP, NEA-BC, RN-BC, CHEC, CLNC, Senior Director of Nursing Western Region.
9 CST ICU - Bed 11 was an intricate case and everyone knew it. There was a lot going on with family and their religious beliefs and being able to incorporate that into his care plan at the time of his passing. When LifeNet was cancelled at the last-minute, Katie helped facilitate a Muslim spokesperson and provide prayer during the 4 hours along, with expediting the medical examiners case to be moved up to be done within 24 which coincided with their Muslim practice. Katie was gracious enough to spend an extra almost 2 hours after her shift to be able to handle this project, because she did not want to hand that off to another nurse. Katie went above the call of duty and displayed compassion, dedication to patient care/follow through, and teamwork! Great job, I know myself, and the family was grateful for your actions that shift. Thank you so much!
9 MTN ICU - Carolyn assisted getting 974 in the chair today. Her husband thanked her and said he didn’t know it was possible. In the 42 days she has been in the hospital, that is only the second time she has been able to do that!
9 SICU - I rounded on this unit on all 4 of their CRRT patients. I looked at the history on the machines and all 4 looked like CRRT had been running smoothly. Also, all of the central lines had perfect bundle compliance. Thank you for your excellent attention to detail and for keeping our patients safe, especially when your unit is currently at such a high acuity. Great job!
NICU - Cindy Johnson, our unit director, is likely the most hands-on and helpful director in the hospital. She works alongside her staff and helps us feel supported.
PICU - This morning, in the PICU, we were tasked with arranging a procedural sedation for an important biopsy to be completed in the afternoon, on a Sunday! With five RNs for a critical and full ICU, we needed help! We collaborated with the Peds ED to provide a skilled RN to sedate this young patient. Completing the procedure today was what he and his family needed so he may be home before Santa. Looked like a Christmas miracle to me! Thank you to Jaclyn and Allison from Peds ED for being available to help. Thank you to Dr. Paulson and Dr. Edwards. And, thank you to Hannah for providing excellent care to the patient!
