Aimee Van Gundy
October 2016
Aimee
Van Gundy
,
RN, BSN, CCRN
ICU
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States
My father was a patient in your hospital and he passed away on your critical care unit.
All the nurses on that unit are deserving of recognition.The nurse practitioner,Sharon, was filled with information and willingly shared it with us while my father was on the unit.She kept us fully informed and explained drugs and procedures in detail.Estellawas efficient and professional; especially sensitive when it was evident my father was in a downward spiral.
Aimeethough, she was extraordinary! She consistently demonstrated all of the criteria for a DAISY Nurse, but what singularly made her different was the professional and tender way she took care of my dad's final ablutions.
Once the respirator was removed from my father the end was evident, and we remained in the critical care unit awaiting his transition to hospice care.It was tragic that it took longer than anticipated due to some logistics on the part of the case worker so my father died in the hospital instead of at home.
In spite of all those events, even whenAimeewas on the last hour of her shift, and she knew she would not see my dad again, she still did not stop caring.Aimeecontinued to administer to his comfort and care like he was going home tomorrow.Without prompting,Aimeecontinued to rotate my dad and adjust him in bed.She did more than required, more than necessary, and more than asked. Even after the respirator, medicines and feeding tube were removed, I watched her wash his hair, shave his face, and clean his wounds with a warm washcloth.She washed his hands and feet.After the shave and haircut,Aimeechanged him into a clean gown and daddy was ready to meet his maker.
My dad was always meticulous about his looks and personal hygiene.I am confident my dad derived great comfort in receiving these ablutions; probably as much comfort I received in seeing her administer these rituals of personal hygiene that he so loved.Aimeeknew she would not be there at the end; but we were.
The shave and haircut made him look like his real self instead of his sick self.We loved having that as our final memory.I cannot thank her enough.She made all the difference in the world.
All the nurses on that unit are deserving of recognition.The nurse practitioner,Sharon, was filled with information and willingly shared it with us while my father was on the unit.She kept us fully informed and explained drugs and procedures in detail.Estellawas efficient and professional; especially sensitive when it was evident my father was in a downward spiral.
Aimeethough, she was extraordinary! She consistently demonstrated all of the criteria for a DAISY Nurse, but what singularly made her different was the professional and tender way she took care of my dad's final ablutions.
Once the respirator was removed from my father the end was evident, and we remained in the critical care unit awaiting his transition to hospice care.It was tragic that it took longer than anticipated due to some logistics on the part of the case worker so my father died in the hospital instead of at home.
In spite of all those events, even whenAimeewas on the last hour of her shift, and she knew she would not see my dad again, she still did not stop caring.Aimeecontinued to administer to his comfort and care like he was going home tomorrow.Without prompting,Aimeecontinued to rotate my dad and adjust him in bed.She did more than required, more than necessary, and more than asked. Even after the respirator, medicines and feeding tube were removed, I watched her wash his hair, shave his face, and clean his wounds with a warm washcloth.She washed his hands and feet.After the shave and haircut,Aimeechanged him into a clean gown and daddy was ready to meet his maker.
My dad was always meticulous about his looks and personal hygiene.I am confident my dad derived great comfort in receiving these ablutions; probably as much comfort I received in seeing her administer these rituals of personal hygiene that he so loved.Aimeeknew she would not be there at the end; but we were.
The shave and haircut made him look like his real self instead of his sick self.We loved having that as our final memory.I cannot thank her enough.She made all the difference in the world.