Published: February 4, 2025
LANSING, Mich. – A registered nurse at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing has been honored with the health system’s Speak Up Award for taking quick action to protect the safety of a patient with a pacemaker who was scheduled for an MRI.
Ashley Grissom, R.N., who works in the hospital’s neurophysiology neuroscience unit, raised alarms when she learned her patient was scheduled for an imaging test despite having a pacemaker. After consulting with the MRI tech, stroke team and cardiology, and reviewing a chest X-ray that revealed an abandoned pacemaker lead, it was determined that the patient was ineligible for the test.
Grissom's quick thinking and determination ensured the patient received appropriate care, possibly saving their life.
“Speaking up is crucial to patient safety,” Grissom said. “When you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, it’s imperative to double, even triple-check. Stay true to the gut feelings that you get and follow them through.”
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing neuroscience nurse Ashley Grissom, R.N., proudly celebrates receiving the Speak Up Award for advocating for her patients.
Grissom, who has been a nurse at UM Health-Sparrow since May 2017, exemplifies the values of the Speak Up Award, which is given quarterly to team members who raise concerns to prevent patient harm.
“Ashley is a fantastic example of placing the patient at the center of the care we provide by ensuring that the patient is safety cared for and speaking up when she had a concern that something was not right,” said Heather Githu, director of patient safety, UM Health-Sparrow.
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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.