“I have worked at PRHC for more than 20 years, always in the Emergency Department (ED),” says Kora Barraball, RN. “It is a unique place to work that allows you to test all of your nursing and critical thinking skills. No day is the same as the next, which is a big draw.”
Kora has recently taken on a new role at PRHC – Patient Navigator – where she works to identify barriers that might prevent patients from being discharged from the hospital; to shorten patients’ hospital stays using the “Home First” philosophy; and to improve the overall flow of patients through the ED.
A typical day for Kora includes reviewing the inpatients currently in the ED and identifying what can be done as a department to get patients home safely with the supports they need. This includes ensuring that any referrals and tests are completed in a timely manner to prevent a prolonged hospital stay.
Like most roles at PRHC, Kora’s work is very collaborative.
“I work with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, PRHC’s Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurse and Home and Community Care in order to provide a holistic approach to patient-centred care,” she says.
