Volume 35 Number 4 | August 2021
Laboratory Manager Recognized for her Commitment to Patient Care
April Nelsen, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Immunology/Immunohematology Scientific Assembly Chair
Jennie Riles
At Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC), the commitment to patients and residents is the first commitment within the center’s excellence standards, which are “People Quality & Safety, Service, Innovation, and Stewardship.” To commend employees “caught” going above and beyond CRMC’s value to promote patient care and satisfaction, a Trophy Fish Award is given.
Jennie Riles, recently promoted to laboratory manager at CRMC, was awarded the Trophy Fish Award for her commitment to a patient who was having a transfusion reaction. Riles was notified of a difficult antibody work up coming in, which led to a transfusion reaction. Riles stayed three hours after her shift was complete and maintained her professional and calm demeanor the entire time. She was able to identify underlying issues and helped to refer the patient to the on-call hospitalist.
Oftentimes, lab personnel go unrecognized. The compassion and professionalism shown by Ms. Riles, not knowing she would be commended for her efforts, is a call for celebration. Jennie’s knowledge, patience, and kindness helped to save a patient’s life.
April Nelsen is Clinical Coordinator and Instructor of Medical Laboratory Sciences at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.