Andressa Goncalves, RN, Bridgeport Hospital Stroke Program, won the Great Catch Award for ensuring a patient received timely, evidence-based care. The patient was undergoing a routine assessment after receiving pain medication when the primary nurse noticed slurred speech, left-sided weakness and a facial droop. The nurse initiated the Rapid Response Team, which escalated to a stroke code. Goncalves, who was recently promoted to Stroke Program coordinator, arrived to help. After an initial evaluation, no acute intervention was recommended, but Goncalves believed the patient needed further assessment. After a second evaluation, the patient received thrombolytic medication for stroke and was transferred to the ICU for further care.
