Kathryn Czaplinski
/ Categories: NEWS, 2024

SVMC recognizes nurses for exceptional patient care and compassion

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, honored four nurses with DAISY awards this fall, recognizing exceptional care provided to patients.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. Nurses are nominated by patients, families or colleagues and SVMC surprises the recipients with the honor. Awards are given out monthly.

Below are the most recent honorees and the submission SVMC received from their nominators.

Alexandra Martinez, BSN, RN – Medical-Surgical Unit

 “Multiple individuals across the departments wanted to recognize this nurse as they cared for a patient with prolonged hospitalization and an unfortunate poor prognosis. The patient’s birthday occurred while in hospital, and this RN worked to ensure that his birthday was celebrated as best as possible. This RN coordinated with multiple staff across departments to obtain small gift items, wrapped them, printed a card, obtained fresh cut flowers, had the kitchen bring up the patient’s favorite meal and a special dessert. In addition, This RN gathered many different staff members who came in to help present items to the patient. This RN was determined to ensure this man was celebrated. Thank you to this RN for providing this level of care, compassion and dedication. The patient and his family were extremely touched by this gesture. We are very fortunate to have this RN as part of our team role modeling excellence!”

Jaclyn Hoag, BSN, RN – Endoscopy

 “I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy today. My nurse noticed what appeared to be a discrepancy in my report of my medication. This prompted her to take deep dive into my gastroenterological record, in search of the correct dosage and prescribing doctor. While doing that, she asked additional medical history questions that I had not previously been asked, and looking even further into the record was able to find notations of a specific procedure that was recommended following my last scope, three years ago. Because this nurse took the time to consider something as simple as my report of my medication regiment, she was able to discover an important piece of my gastroenterological health that did not appear to be on anyone else’s radar, including my own.  I’ll now be able to get appropriate attention for that condition. Because of her professionalism, attention to detail, and helpful bedside manner, I would like to nominate her for this recognition.”

Megen Niquette, BSN, RN – Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

 “Recently, my husband was in the hospital for procedure with Dr. S. His nurse while in recovery was one of the most compassionate and caring individuals, I have ever had the good fortune of meeting. She had explained to both my husband and I that she recently has the same procedure done herself.  She shared the dos and don’ts and what to expect, etc. Her first-hand account will no doubt, reduce post-op worries and it will lead to a speedy recovery. We have always had positive experiences at SVMC, but this nurse made this most recent experience so much more special because of the way she connected with us on a personal level. I also very much appreciate her willingness to share her story. SVMC is very fortunate to have nurses like her.”

Rosemary “Ro” Walsh, BSN, RN - Medical Surgical Unit

 “In January, I was hospitalized for 2 weeks prior to and following emergency surgery for a perforated bowel.  This nurse cared for me for several nights during the last and most emotional and physically difficult stage of the hospitalization. I was in pain, scared, angry, and ashamed of my body which I had little control over; in short, I was a mess. I remember feeling relief every time I heard that she would be my nurse, because I knew that I could rely on her to be comforting and supportive and to provide the care I needed.  One thing she did that was so helpful was with my wife, they gave me a bedtime routine that relaxed me and get me ready for to sleep for the night. Also, when I had difficulty with PT activities, she encouraged me by reminding me how far I had come which made me want to continue.  I feel like my description doesn’t do her justice, she was a lighthouse during a storm…A positive guide I could rely on when my life and body felt like a scary disaster.”

Pictured: Left to right: Alexandra Martinez, BSN, RN,  Jaclyn Hoag, BSN, RN,  Megen Niquette, BSN, RN,  Rosemary “Ro” Walsh, BSN, RN.

 

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COVID-19 Scams

Scams are almost as old as time. They always take advantage of our vulnerabilities and fears. So in times of mass panic, like has been caused by COVID-19, opportunities for scammers increase, said Southwestern Vermont Health Care's Information Technology Security Engineer Geoffrey Mazanec.

IT experts noted a 667 percent increase in malicious phishing e-mails as of the end of last month. Security firm Barracuda Networks identified 137 coronavirus-related phishing emails in January, 1,188 in February, and more than 9,000 in March. 

There are most likely several reasons for the increase.

  • First, many scams exploit our fears. As fear increases, so to opportunities for scammers. Many scams have been tweaked to include a reference to COVID-19, which may cause people to react more quickly and without thinking.
  • Scammers also exploit our desires to be good people—to pay our bills on time and follow directions—which could also be heightened during a crisis.
  • During COVID-19, everyone is conducting more business remotely. In the effort to keep all of our online activities straight, we may lose track of who is on the other end of the phone line or e-mail.
  • Mazanec notes that, with so many people out of work, scammers may have taken what had been a part-time swindling gig full time.

These startling statistics and our increased vulnerability make it a great time for a refresher about how scammers attack and how to avoid getting caught in a scheme.

Phishing. The most common way scammers operate is by phishing. They call or e-mail, usually posing to be a company or organization that you trust: the IRS, Medicare or Medicaid, or a company that you have done business with before. And they are crafty. They can even make it look as if they are calling from a business you recognize. They are counting on your thinking that they are the real thing.

"Lots of people, looking for protective equipment, for instance, are purchasing from companies that they have not dealt with in the past," Mazanec said. "Scammers want you to believe that you have purchased from them, when you have not."

They might send you an "invoice due" message with a .pdf attachment, or they might provide a link for you to click and log in. They want you to do one of two things: (1) Give up your personal information, either over the phone or by logging in to a fake sign-in page or (2) click on a .pdf or website that will infect your system.

So what can you do? Mazanec recommends not clicking. "If you don’t recognize it, don't open it. Instead, always question whether it is legitimate. And, no matter who it is, don't give anyone usernames or passwords."

Disconnect the call or delete the e-mail and call the company directly. If you don't have their number on hand, you can find it using a Google search. If you ask them whether they just called or e-mailed you, you will likely find that they have not. Congratulations. You’ve just avoided a scam.

Too good to be true. Some scammers are also selling fake products. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued warnings to seven companies selling fraudulent products that claim to test for, prevent, or treat COVID-19. Some even claimed to be approved by the FDA! Other companies are taking personal information in exchange for being added to a fake list for early access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no valid at-home test for COVID-19 and no viable at-home treatments, unless you count rest and plenty of fluids for mild cases. Consult with your local healthcare provider before taking any testing or treatment action, as some can be harmful or even deadly.

To avoid scams like this one, read, watch, and listen to reputable news sources. If there is a legitimate at-home test, treatment, or vaccine, you will hear reports about it from your state's department of health and other official organizations.

More information about scams related to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/media/phishing.html and https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice.

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