Above And Beyond

Above And Beyond

FREMONT, Mich. – A Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial employee who has worked for 20 years at the hospital’s kitchen was recognized Tuesday, July 19, for going above and beyond to keep patients safe as part of Spectrum

  Health’s commemoration of National Patient Safety Awareness Week.
 
In May, Elaine Everding was in a patient’s room to take his order, asking if he wanted dinner. The patient slowly turned his head and closed his eyes without responding, Everding recalled.
 
“I remember asking him, ‘Do you want a sandwich or some soup?’ but he didn’t say anything, and I thought that was strange,” Everding said. “So I went to tell a nurse...​

...right away.”

 The patient was diabetic, and Everding said she later found out that he was being treated at the ICU. The nurse told Everding that her quick action was critical in getting the patient time-sensitive treatment and care.
 
Everding’s story is a Top 20 patient safety story that Spectrum Health is recognizing this week to highlight its employees’ commitment to the care of their patients and how safety behaviors are successfully keeping Spectrum patients safe. Spectrum Health gathered more than 100 safety stories from throughout its 12 hospitals and 140-plus service locations across Michigan. Everding and the other 19 Spectrum employees recognized Tuesday were awarded gifts.