Heather Leach RN

My job as an RN at Healthy Connections includes obtaining a complete pre-op medical & surgical history for each patient as well as preop teaching. It is vital to ensure that patients understand all preop instructions to prevent surgery cancellation.

My job includes total care of critically injured patients. This requires hourly or more frequent monitoring of various vital signs, ventilator management, as well as hourly intracranial pressure monitoring & hourly neurological assessments. I frequently assist the Trauma Surgeons and PA's with bedside procedures. I manage chest tubes, wound vacs and various other drains. I frequently manage patients for Southwest Transplant Alliance during the organ donation process. I work closely with Physicians, Respiratory therapists, Physical & Occupational Therapists, wound care, infection control, Case management as well as patients and family members, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients.

I prepped and recovered Patients undergoing a heart catheterization, Transesophageal echocardiogram, Cardioversion and Pacemaker/defibrillator insertions just to name a few. I started IV's, collected blood to send to lab, Reviewed medications and obtained patient medical history. I was responsible for pulling groin sheaths and holding manual pressure to groin sites as well as troubleshooting any problems that arose with groin sites and bleeding. I cared for patients after heart cath with radial artery access and trouble shooting any complications. With this job, one must be very vigilant with frequent assessments and get patients back to cath lab quickly if necessary. I was also responsible for all home care teaching.

In Post-cath/IR my duties included caring for stage 2 recovery patients, pulling groin sheaths and holding manual pressure to groin sites as well as troubleshooting any problems that arise with groin sites and bleeding, caring for patient after heart cath with radial artery access and trouble shooting any complications. It was imperative to be very vigilant with frequent assessments and get patients back to cath lab quickly if necessary. I was responsible for all home care teaching, scheduling follow up visits & post op phone calls. In cath procedure room I was responsible for conscious sedation, as well as continuous telemetry monitoring to notify the MD immediately if the patients are having rhythm changes during procedure.

In Pre-Cath/IR my duties included obtaining an accurate medical history, starting an iv & drawing labs on every patient, performing EKG,s, careful screening of all medications, particularly blood thinners, administering IV antiobiotics, pre-op teaching, working closely with physicians for the best outcome of the patient. I was also responsible for pre-op phone calls.

I prepped & recovered all Radiology patients including Myelograms, Arthrograms, Joint injections, Conscious Sedations & Dobutamine Stress tests. I started IV's, drew blood & operated the I-stat machine to obtain lab results on all patients receiving IV contrast (approximately 15 per day).

I prepped, sedated & recovered conscious sedation patients for MRI claustrophobia.

I prepped, administered IV Dobutamine & provided cardiac monitoring & recovery of Dobutamine Stress Tests.

I was also responsible for Pre & Post procedure patient education as well as follow up calls. I worked very closely with the Radiologists & Radiology Technicians and was frequently in contact with multiple Physician's offices.

In Pre-Pain & Pre-op my duties included Obtaining an accurate medical history; careful screening of all medications; starting IV's; drawing Pre-op labs & operating I-stat machine to get lab results; performing EKG's: administering IV antibiotics & medications; assisting Physicians with removal of casts & splints as well as all Patient & family education.

In Pain recovery & PACU I recovered stage 1 & stage 2 recovery patients age 6 months old & older. I was also responsible for post surgical instructions & follow up calls.

Approximately 50% of our patient population were ages 6 months-15 yrs old. It included various orthopedic surgeries; various ENT surgeries; oral rehab surgeries; gynecological & urological surgeries as well as various pain management procedures.

My job included Total Care of critically ill & critically injured patients. Hourly or more frequent if necessary Vital signs; intracranial pressure monitoring & Neurological assessments. Assisted Physicians daily with bedside procedures including Tracheotomy insertions; central venous line & arterial line insertions; Ventriculostomy insertions & management; chest tube insertions & management & extensive dressing changes including burn care. Managed wound care & infection control.  Frequently managed CVVHD.  Managed patients through the organ donation process. Worked very closely with Physicians; Family members; Physical & occupational therapists; Respiratory therapists & case managers for the best possible patient outcome.