When time is of the essence, a good team makes all the difference

The IU Health Bloomington Perinatal Services unit sees a lot of happy days with families meeting their youngest additions. They are also ready to jump into action when those days turn scary.

In late June, Camila Silva Rocha and Heber Rocha were in their Labor and Delivery room when the father called out to say they thought the mother’s water broke. Alexa Motter, RN, came in with her orientee Delaney Schaeffer, RN, and called for assistance immediately as she recognized the bleeding as a hemorrhage and abruption.

“I could always feel my patient and her partner’s trust in us and I'm so grateful that we had earned that before it really had to be tested,” says Motter.

Eric Overdorf, MD, was at the bedside within two minutes, saw the amount of blood and stayed calm while immediately calling for a STAT c-section.

“So many team members came to help while also ensuring that there were enough people to watch the other patients on the floor. The c-section went very well, the baby did great, and the smoothness of the emergency was commendable,” says Callie McKelvey, Certified Surgical Technologist and Certified Surgical First Assistant. “There were so many helpful hands.”

“I'm grateful for my team who helped me feel so supported running in and out of the OR for me until we knew both of our patients were stable,” says Motter.

Swift and skilled care teams are essential during time-sensitive situations like this, and everyone has their role to play. In this instance:

• Shaeffer stayed level-headed, pushing a bed running down the hall and stayed well past her shift end to see the patient through surgery
• Savannah Hauersperger, RN; Beth Spears, RNC-OB; Sierra Ryan, RN; and Danille Woods, RN, came with Motter and the patient to the OR
• Spears helped McKelvey open and ensured she had everything needed for the surgery
• Ryan scrubbed in and helped with setup and draping
• Hauersperger worked with Motter to position and prep the patient
• Alex Miller, RN, scrubbed in and helped McKelvey with stimulating and suctioning the baby after their delivery
• Anesthesiologist Victoria Gryszowka, MD, had left the hospital, but was back and ready as soon as the team was ready to start
• Spears helped anesthesia with a second IV and ensured they had what they needed

“I was so impressed with our team,” says McKelvey. “I have been in a lot of emergencies in my 16-year career, and the amount of teamwork, communication, and support I observed and felt a part of was truly amazing.”

To put everything into perspective, from the time Motter called Overdorf to baby Beatrice Silva Rocha’s delivery was only 14 minutes.

“I believe that the quick response and judgement calls of the patient’s care team are the reasons why this mother and baby did so well,” says McKelvey. “They are both healthy and safe and it’s all thanks to this team.”

“I visited with the family briefly right before they went home and they looked so fabulous,” says Motter. “It really makes you grateful when everything falls into place. Makes you remember to squeeze your own babies tight.”