October 15, 2013

Colleen Richter, RN, PACU, Good Samaritan, was named the Good Samaritan Firestarters Team Member of the Month for August.

Colleen has worked with other departments to develop a database to identify risk factors for corneal abrasion. Using that data, she developed an intervention.

Colleen's research database and follow-up analysis has resulted in a dramatic decrease in corneal abrasions after general anesthesia.

In addition, Colleen has been active in nurse education and carried her nursing excellence into the community. While on vacation in West Virginia, she gave chest compressions to a waiter who went into cardiac arrest. The waiter survived and was able to thank her for her life-saving action.

The evening in the PACU is often a place where patient conditions change rapidly. Colleen's commitment to patient care and safety and her willingness to go the extra mile have resulted in superior patient care. She has saved lives in her years in the PACU.

Congratulations to Colleen and thanks for demonstrating Service Excellence.