Paula Large, BSN, RN, recognizes her unique ability to connect with people, especially those she encounters as an Emergency Room (ER) nurse, volunteer firefighter, and emergency medical technician (EMT). This is why when she responded with an EMS team to Jennifer Crow's home in April, she knew immediately that Jennifer was in desperate need of medical attention.
“I am a good people reader,” said Paula, who has worked in the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital ER since 2006.
Jennifer was recovering from a recent spinal surgery when she began to feel unwell.
“I called a friend to take me to the hospital, but I was unable to stand and was in and out of consciousness,” she said. Jennifer had been experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, and a rising temperature. Her son called 9-1-1.
Upon entering Jennifer’s home, the EMS team immediately began assessing her situation. They quickly triaged Jennifer and loaded her into the ambulance for transport.
“I did not know how sick I was,” said Jennifer, “but Paula immediately recognized my symptoms. She saw my color change and knew that it was urgent.”
Jennifer was going into septic shock which is a severe complication of sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
“Jennifer met all of the criteria for septic shock: she had a high heart rate, high respiration, she was cold, and diaphoretic (sweating excessively),” said Paula. Well-trained in recognizing sepsis, Paula quickly contacted the ER to let them know Jennifer was on her way.
“Paula just saw what was wrong with me and immediately took charge,” said Jennifer. “My ER bay was packed with people, and I remember looking up, and they had six bags of fluid going. I knew it was different, but I did not understand how serious it was. I do not think they left me alone in the bay the entire time I was in the ER.”
Jennifer was stabilized and transferred to the facility that performed her surgery where she received further treatment and antibiotics for her sepsis infection. She was moved into nursing care, but unfortunately found herself back in the ER only a short time later.
As Paula walked by Jennifer’s room, she recognized her former patient.
“I am a people person,” said Paula, “ I remember faces and I try to talk to patients as I take care of them and treat them like they are family.”
Paula was again able to help Jennifer, connecting her to additional resources to assist with her recovery.
Jennifer is grateful for the care she received from Paula and her entire medical team.
“I am moving around better and feel well enough to sit at dinner with my kids or sit outside on my lawn furniture again,” Jennifer said. “I am on the road to recovery, a little better every day.”
“Patients come in sick, they are scared, and I let them know they are not alone,” said Paula. “I think that is what makes the ER different; our patients are vulnerable, and they just want to know that you’ve got them.”