Jennifer Giffen, RN is our first clinical HealthTrust Hero! Jennifer currently works in the ER at the Heart Hospital of Austin and has been a registered number for nine years.
“It is a very rewarding profession,” Jennifer says. “Being able to give back is the best gift there is and will leave you with the best sense of accomplishment.”
An avid world traveler, Jennifer received her nomination after providing compassionate care to a suicide patient. Suicide patients are rare at the Heart Hospital, and Jennifer was eager to do what she could to help this person in need.
“I always try to put myself in my patients’ shoes. I try to speak to them from the heart and in a calm way that makes feel safe,” Jennifer says. “I aim to treat all patients with respect and in a manner that makes them feel free from any judgment. No matter what has happened to that patient that has placed them in the hospital, they deserve to leave feeling better both physically and emotionally.”
The patient also happened to come in during the Joint Commission’s survey of the facility, which prompted several questions from the surveyor regarding proper protocol. Jennifer was able to answer all questions confidentially and correctly, cementing her spot as a HealthTrust Hero.
We congratulate Jennifer Giffen as being our first clinical HealthTrust Hero!
Her nomination can be read in full below:
“At HHA we do not get a lot of suicide patients. The other day we received one and Jennifer without reservation took the patient. She was so kind and patient with her and made sure everything was done for the patient. We also had our ICM survey with Joint Commission that day. When the surveyor found out we had a suicide patient she went to Jennifer and asked a lot of question and Jennifer knew all the correct answers. The surveyor also found out Jennifer was contract labor and asked about her training before being able to come work in the ED. Again Jennifer answered with confidence and knew exactly how to answer the surveyor. When so many staff want to run from the surveyors Jennifer was willing able to speak with confident to the surveyor.”
