Registered Nurse Level 1 Trauma Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.1688

Education

1986, Associate of Science (RN), Macon State College, College Station Drive, Georgia, Major:  Nursing, Dean’s List

2000, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN –BSN), Georgia College & State University, Major:  Nursing Institutional GPA: 3.84

Employment

12/03-present, Staff Nurse- Emergency Room, A Medical Center in Georgia
Level I Trauma Center - Emergency Room. Treat emergency room patients i.e. critical care / trauma.
PACU – Recover surgery patients

7/03-11/03, Staff Nurse - PRN - Part Time, Beaufort Naval Hospital, South Carolina
Emergency Room R.N. Triage and treat patients of all age groups, initiating treatments to include IV therapy, drawing blood, administering medications, monitoring and continuous evaluation of patients presenting with chest pain, trauma, abdominal complaints, orthopedic injuries, fever of unknown origin, etc.

2002-2003, Staff Nurse - Nursing Agency, Alternative Care Providers, South Carolina
Contract R.N. working at Hilton Head Medical Center in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room.  Shifts and hours are variable and on contract basis.

2002-2003, Staff Nurse - PRN - Part Time, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, South Carolina
Emergency Room R.N. on part time as needed basis.  Triage and treat patients of all age groups,  IV therapy, drawing blood, administering medications, monitoring and continuous evaluation of patients.

1997-present, Chief Executive Officer - Legal Nurse Consulting Firm, Georgia
Consult to review, evaluate, and analyze the health care rendered.  Provide opinions for attorneys and insurance companies regarding the delivery and outcomes of the  health care for medical / nursing malpractice, personal injury, product liability, toxic torts, neglect, worker=s compensation, utilization review, quality and risk management.  Provide research regarding applicable standards and guidelines.  Prepare deposition questions for physicians, nurses, and other health care providers.  Attend depositions and trials to collaborate with attorneys, bringing specialized education and clinical expertise to the medically related issues of the litigation process. 

1997, Quality Management Coordinator
1997, Mother/Baby Staff Nurse - Cross Training - L&D
1992-1997, Relief Hospital Nursing Supervisor
1992-1997, Emergency Dept RN/QI Coordinator

Coordinate hospital QM and Risk Management Departments, Hospital Advisory Board, and all medical Macon Northside Hospital, Macon, GAQuality Management Coordinator - staff activities and committees.  Develop/review/update Performance Improvement/Risk Management policies.  Develop job descriptions, competency tests.  Assist hospital Medical Director for JCAHO audit preparations and other hospital surveys.  Maintain records of Hospital Advisory Board including Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations.  Coordinate and communicate with hospital legal counsel.

Emergency Department RN/Quality Improvement Coordinator - Emergency Room Staff Nurse and coordinated quality improvement processes.  Initiated studies involving ER processes and CQI.  Gathered and compiled study results of CQI data and reported quarterly to the Hospital Performance Improvement Committee.

Mother/Baby Staff Nurse - Cross Training - L&D - Newborn nursery nurse and postpartum.

Relief Hospital Nursing Supervisor - Responsible for overall hospital patient functions, personnel, and visitors.  Ensured adequate staffing according to patient’s needs.  Activate disaster plans, as needed, and coordinate with Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer, and Supportive Community Services.

1996-1997, Health Services Administrator, Prison Health Services, Men’s State Prison, Georgia
Managed and evaluated the medical program activities of 650+ chronically ill inmates according to AMA standards and contractual obligations.  Liaison between correctional officials, public agencies, and contracted company.  Ensured implementation of all contractual services.  Developed, revised, interpreted, and ensured compliance with policies, procedures, budget, aims and philosophy of company.  Human resources - managed hires, transfers, lay offs, recalls, recruits, and orients.  Supervised and evaluated staff of 2 physicians, 2 physician assistants, 35 nursing staff to include counseling, disciplining, suspending and/or terminating employees who violated policies established by institution or company.  Audited medical charts, weekly logs/accounts payable, and payroll.  Established and maintained multi-million dollar annual budget.  Created and instituted cost saving strategies for Men’s State Prison and submitted statewide healthcare cost saving procedures.

1989-1993, Registered Nurse – Corrections, ARA/Correctional Medical Systems, Georgia
Responsible for providing health care for 650+ chronically ill inmates.  Assessment of patients to include determining level of care/treatment needed, providing treatment, i.e. EKG=s, starting IV=s, drawing blood, administering ordered medication/treatments, stabilizing patients, and arranging transport.  Only health care provider on premises; (Baylor - worked weekends only).

1986-1989, Registered Nurse - Neonatal ICU & Emergency Department, Medical Center of Central Georgia
Responsible for care of patients, stabilizing and executing physician=s orders.  Emergency Center (Level 2 Trauma Center) - Relief Charge Nurse on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Emergency nursing duties including nurse/ancillary staff assignments, triaged ambulance patients and made room assignments according to severity of injury / illness.

20 years combined, Business Owner
Medical Transcription Service - Contracted medical transcription services.
Central Security Alarms - Marketing and public relations.
Legal Nurse Consulting  - Contract with attorneys and insurance companies to abstract medical records, research, and provide written reports / affidavits / depositions, and collaboration during depositions and trials.

Presentations / Associations / Certifications / Skills

2001 Georgia Bar Annual Meeting – Speaker – “Trial Preparation: Are All Jurors from the Show Me State?”

November, 2000, Legal Nurse Consultants Seminar - Winning Medical Cases: Strategies for Success – Panel Discussion - The LNC as a Secret Weapon on your Litigation Team

Computer software - WordPerfect, Presentations, Quattro Pro, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Works, PowerPoint Presentations, Calendar Creator, Lotus, Visio, Microsoft Publisher

Typing Skills - 100-120 wpm

Certified Emergency Nurse, (CEN) Certification

Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care - Basic Life Support

Emergency Nurses Association Member

Georgia Hospital Association - Member Georgia Association of Healthcare Quality

American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) Member

AALNC - Atlanta Chapter Board Member - Programs Director

Bibb County, Georgia, Child Fatality Review Committee Member

Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society Member

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Member

Legal Nurse Consultant Certified, Certification

“Legal aspects of Nursing” - invited speaker to RN-BSN and new RN students at Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Georgia