Sarah McIntosh
Lawrence,KS
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Nurse Coordinator with extensive experience at The University of Kansas Health System, excelling in care coordination and patient education. Proven track record in enhancing patient outcomes through effective discharge planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Strong clinical judgment and leadership skills contributed to improved patient satisfaction and reduced readmission rates.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Nurse Coordinator-Neurological Surgery
The University of Kansas Health System
11.2018 - Current
- Manage inpatient Neurosurgery service list, serving 13 Neurosurgeons. Coordinate specialties & referrals for continued patient care & treatment. Arrange follow up in clinic for post operative care pathway. Prepare disease pathway specific discharge education materials including recommendations from other internal hospital specialists (Plastics, ENT, Wound, Trauma, Endocrinology, Oncology). Provide bedside, family centered, education specific to neurosurgical disease process for optimal recovery, surgical outcomes, therein reducing number of re-admissions and post-surgical complications.
- Coordinated seamless transitions of care across various healthcare settings by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Facilitated timely discharge planning by collaborating with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
- Provided comprehensive patient education on disease management, medication administration, and self-care techniques.
- Contributed to quality improvement initiatives through data collection, analysis, and implementation of best practices. Utilized and trained Vizient data collection.
- Increased patient satisfaction scores through the implementation of evidence-based nursing practices focused on meeting individual needs.
- Created educational materials for staff and patients based on evidence based nursing interventions.
- Expert in Neurosurgical population, interventions, treatments and goals to improve outcomes.
Clinical Nurse CNII-CA7 Neurosurgery/Surgical Onc
The Univeristy of Kansas Health System
11.2017 - 11.2018
- Administered medications and treatments to manage patient's condition.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering professional growth and team building within the unit.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify early indications of deterioration in a patient''s condition, enabling prompt intervention when needed.
- Ensured accurate documentation of all patient records, contributing to improved quality assurance measures.
- Monitored patients, evaluated results, and recommended further courses of treatment to quickly improve patient outcomes.
- Acted as a clinical resource for colleagues seeking guidance on best practices or challenging cases, contributing to a supportive learning environment within the unit.
- Provided wound care to promote healing and prevent infection.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of complex medical conditions, facilitating timely interventions to prevent complications.
- Provided specialized care for critically ill patients requiring advanced monitoring and interventions.
- Administered medications and treatments to patients, contributing to their overall well-being and recovery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop comprehensive care plans for patients.
- Improved team efficiency by mentoring new nurses, sharing expertise and fostering supportive work environment.
Clinical Nurse CNII-NEP Neurosurgery/ENT/Epilepsy
The University of Kansas Health System
11.2013 - 11.2017
- Progressive Care/Step Down Certified RN managing care for the populations of Neurology, Neurosurgery, ENT and Epilepsy Services.
- Served as Charge RN for 32 bed unit, managed 15 staff member assignments/duties.
- Facilitated and attended interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient care.
- Responded to medical emergencies with prompt and decisive action, minimizing patient risk and improving outcomes.
- Provided specialized care for critically ill patients requiring advanced monitoring and interventions.
- Utilized advanced assessment skills to identify early indications of deterioration in a patient''s condition, enabling prompt intervention when needed.
- Mentored new nursing staff, fostering professional growth and team building within the unit.
- Telemetry certified, ACLS certified.
- Phase I & II Epilepsy Certified RN in epilepsy monitoring, seizure detection/prevention.
- Competent in Movement disorders and Autoimmune diseases surgical interventions, medication management for Gillian-Barre, Myasthenia Gravis, ALS, and Multiple Sclerosis.
- Complex head/neck/throat skills related to tracheostomies, laryngectomies, feeding tube management and drain management.
- Stroke NIH certified for Comprehensive Stroke Care Unit, post stroke pathway, advanced stroke intervention therapies.
- Step down trained for arterial line management, tissue transfer doppler monitoring, multiple drain management, high level IV infusions.
Clinical Nurse CN-I Unit 61/62 Neurosurgery ICU
The University of Kansas Health System
06.2008 - 11.2013
- Cared for variety of patients with Neurological/Neurosurgical disorders including brain/spine tumors, aneurysms, neuromuscular diseases, traumatic brain injury, spine cord injury, spine surgery, hydrocephalus and stroke.
- Intracranial Pressure Monitoring, ICP management
- Phillips Cardiac Monitoring/hemodynamic systems
- Pupillometer readings and cranial nerve assessment
- Intracranial Electrode Seizure Monitoring-trained in seizure detection/prevention
- Acute Stroke Response Team, NIH certified
- Acute Ischemic and Hemorrhagic stroke management
- Rapid Response Team trained
- Mechanical ventilation and support
Education
Associate of Science - Nursing
Johnson County Community College
Kansas City, KS05-2008
Skills
- Care Coordination, Discharge planning
- Clinical assessment, clinical documentation
- Nursing leadership, Staff Education
- Patient health education
- Create Educational materials for patient and staff
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Strong clinical judgment
- Patient and family advocacy
- Clinical quality improvement
- Nursing leadership
Accomplishments
Daisy Award Recipient Unit 62 2012, 2011, 2009
Daisy Award Recipient Unit NEP 2017, 2016, 2014
Department of Nursing Excellence Award Nomination-Nurse Preceptor 2016
Daisy Award Recipient Neurosurgery CNC 2024, 2023
Timeline
Clinical Nurse Coordinator-Neurological Surgery
The University of Kansas Health System
11.2018 - Current
Clinical Nurse CNII-CA7 Neurosurgery/Surgical Onc
The Univeristy of Kansas Health System
11.2017 - 11.2018
Clinical Nurse CNII-NEP Neurosurgery/ENT/Epilepsy
The University of Kansas Health System
11.2013 - 11.2017
Clinical Nurse CN-I Unit 61/62 Neurosurgery ICU
The University of Kansas Health System
06.2008 - 11.2013
Associate of Science - Nursing
Johnson County Community College
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