4A Multidisciplinary MICU Team at Los Angeles General Medical Center
November 2023
4A Multidisciplinary MICU Team
at Los Angeles General Medical Center
Los Angeles General Medical Center
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States
Ross Leuterio RN
Janice Alcala RN
Dominique Dang RN
Kenneth Richard RN
Kathleen Viloria RN
Casey Yu RN
Flordeliza Sim RN
Leanne Armendariz RN
Lea Salinas NM, RN
Dr. William West MICU Fellow
Dr. Rucha Gadgil ICU Medical Director
Pamela Officer IC (intermediate clerk)
Dana Blanks IC (intermediate clerk)
Caesar Robles CSW (community social worker)
Tamara Grace Chaplain
Janice Alcala RN
Dominique Dang RN
Kenneth Richard RN
Kathleen Viloria RN
Casey Yu RN
Flordeliza Sim RN
Leanne Armendariz RN
Lea Salinas NM, RN
Dr. William West MICU Fellow
Dr. Rucha Gadgil ICU Medical Director
Pamela Officer IC (intermediate clerk)
Dana Blanks IC (intermediate clerk)
Caesar Robles CSW (community social worker)
Tamara Grace Chaplain
We have a patient in the MICU with end-stage lung disease who is hospitalized with advanced respiratory failure. The team has been having conversations about goals of care with the patient as he is not a transplant candidate. The patient and his partner stated that they needed more time to think about his overall goals but wanted to be legally married as soon as possible, knowing that the end may be near for the patient. The RNs worked with social workers to arrange for a mobile notary/traveling marriage agency and our spiritual care department to organize a wedding all in one day. The Nurse Manager called PIO, had the photo consent signed by the patient, and called patient relations. After filling out all the necessary legal paperwork that afternoon, we hosted a wedding in the unit officiated jointly by a chaplain and the rep/notary from the marriage agency. The couple shared their vows, and one of our stellar RNs, Ken, served as the patient’s best man and the couple’s witness. Decorations, cake, and flowers were provided by MICU staff.
***
As a PFM and House Supervisor, I have witnessed firsthand the commitment and dedication each nurse in 4A provides to care for their patients. Their commitment to go above and beyond for their patients is truly remarkable and truly symbolizes LA General's vision to provide world class care for our patients and community. They are committed to the well-being of their patients, as evidenced by the DAISY Award nominations and recipients they've received in the past few months. They organized a wedding in their unit for one of their patients in July of this year, where the staff and management team spent countless hours planning a special event for a patient who was critically ill in hopes he could marry the woman of his dreams. The staff decorated the ICU room with flowers and balloons, organized a groomsman and bridesmaid entrance, and presided on sending a very special event for the happy couple. They are truly a remarkable unit and deserve recognition!
***
One of our patients was unfortunately given a time frame of life and expressed his last request to marry his long-term partner. Due to his medical condition and he had been in and out of the hospital, planning their ideal wedding was a challenge. Upon hearing this, the primary and charge nurse along with team worked with him and his fiancé to make this wish come true. They expeditiously organized everything needed for the following day, which included contacting an outside justice of the peace, decorations, wedding cake, photos, video, and flower bouquet for the bride-to-be, among other things. The patient and fiancé were so appreciative of the staff that they included some of them to be part of the ceremony as a flower girl and ring bearer. It truly was a family affair.
***
The 4A nursing staff are some of the most exceptional nursing staff in this hospital. I have worked here at Los Angeles General for approx. 5 years, I have worked in different areas of the hospital, and this is the most dedicated group of individuals that I have encountered. During the COVID pandemic, they went above and beyond to help accommodate everyone’s needs, from patients to staff. These nurses constantly support each other during trying times, they do things for patients and family’s that go above and beyond what words can convey.
The 4A nursing staff has combined service of over 100 years. This is knowledge and experience that cannot be taught in a school or training. I have firsthand witnessed them save countless lives, and I have also witnessed them go to great lengths to provide support to the families that have lost loved ones.
One knows that the medical field is not easy, it comes with extreme challenges that only those that have worked it in can describe their feelings. This staff shares emotional scars that no one outside their friends or family will ever understand. Despite the difficult days that they face daily with challenging cases, they still come to work the following day ready to do it all over again.
After I have already thought they have done everything, something new always seems to arise; they’ve held wedding ceremonies for patients, they’ve held spiritual ceremonies for those patients that are no longer with us, they have lifted family members off the ground, and most importantly they are always there to pick each other up.
***
As a PFM and House Supervisor, I have witnessed firsthand the commitment and dedication each nurse in 4A provides to care for their patients. Their commitment to go above and beyond for their patients is truly remarkable and truly symbolizes LA General's vision to provide world class care for our patients and community. They are committed to the well-being of their patients, as evidenced by the DAISY Award nominations and recipients they've received in the past few months. They organized a wedding in their unit for one of their patients in July of this year, where the staff and management team spent countless hours planning a special event for a patient who was critically ill in hopes he could marry the woman of his dreams. The staff decorated the ICU room with flowers and balloons, organized a groomsman and bridesmaid entrance, and presided on sending a very special event for the happy couple. They are truly a remarkable unit and deserve recognition!
***
One of our patients was unfortunately given a time frame of life and expressed his last request to marry his long-term partner. Due to his medical condition and he had been in and out of the hospital, planning their ideal wedding was a challenge. Upon hearing this, the primary and charge nurse along with team worked with him and his fiancé to make this wish come true. They expeditiously organized everything needed for the following day, which included contacting an outside justice of the peace, decorations, wedding cake, photos, video, and flower bouquet for the bride-to-be, among other things. The patient and fiancé were so appreciative of the staff that they included some of them to be part of the ceremony as a flower girl and ring bearer. It truly was a family affair.
***
The 4A nursing staff are some of the most exceptional nursing staff in this hospital. I have worked here at Los Angeles General for approx. 5 years, I have worked in different areas of the hospital, and this is the most dedicated group of individuals that I have encountered. During the COVID pandemic, they went above and beyond to help accommodate everyone’s needs, from patients to staff. These nurses constantly support each other during trying times, they do things for patients and family’s that go above and beyond what words can convey.
The 4A nursing staff has combined service of over 100 years. This is knowledge and experience that cannot be taught in a school or training. I have firsthand witnessed them save countless lives, and I have also witnessed them go to great lengths to provide support to the families that have lost loved ones.
One knows that the medical field is not easy, it comes with extreme challenges that only those that have worked it in can describe their feelings. This staff shares emotional scars that no one outside their friends or family will ever understand. Despite the difficult days that they face daily with challenging cases, they still come to work the following day ready to do it all over again.
After I have already thought they have done everything, something new always seems to arise; they’ve held wedding ceremonies for patients, they’ve held spiritual ceremonies for those patients that are no longer with us, they have lifted family members off the ground, and most importantly they are always there to pick each other up.