2024 Biggest Catch Award to UF Health Urology!

On Wednesday August 7th, 2024, a patient presented to the UF Health Urology practice located at the Shands Medical Plaza (SMP) for a follow-up office visit with Katherine “Katie” Lopez, APRN. On that day, when staff were unable to obtain the patient’s vital signs with an automatic monitor, Katie was immediately notified prior to entering the room.

Upon entering the patient room, Katie observed the patient appeared to be in distress, as evidenced by paleness and thought diaphoresis (excessive sweating due to an underlying health condition or a medication). Katie became concerned when after obtaining vital signs that were outside normal limits, thready radial impulses, and verbal complaints of chest and jaw pain. Around this same time, the patient began to experience episodes of emesis. Knowing this was a medical emergency, Katie quickly elicited help in calling 911 from practice staff. After the call to 911 was placed, Katie, with help from Jakerria Carter, LPN and Jared Kellogg, MA provided interim care to the patient.

In recalling this event, Kelly Branham (Practice Manager, UF Health Urology @ SMP ) shared “The patient was experiencing more immediate symptoms than our clinic could provide for; the medical team responded quickly and the patient was transported to a higher level of care.” While Emely Haviaras (RN Supervisor, UF Health Urology @ SMP) shared, “I had the privilege of providing training and help to staff in contacting EMS and I remained on standby to assist the team with whatever was needed.” When learning of this event,  Dr. Larry Yeung (Medical Director, UF Health Urology @ SMP) shared, “Kudos to Katie Lopez, APRN for rapidly identifying the patient had abnormal vital signs. The nursing team who cared for the patient acted swiftly and calmly and took the appropriate action to get the patient safely to the ER.” When sharing her personal recount of  the occurrence, Katie shared, “Nursing staff were awesome in their display of teamwork; helping me obtain supplies for blood glucose and the call to EMS; and these staff stayed with the patient while awaiting EMS arrival. I would not have been able to care for that patient alone and nursing staff made the patient’s care, quick smooth and safe. ”

Undoubtedly, this event serves as an example of our health system’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of safe treatment services. With this, UFHP Quality & Safety is proud to present the 2024 Third Quarter UF Health Physicians Biggest Catch Award to UF Health Urology @ SMP- job well done!

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