Allison Blank
December 2023
Allison
Blank
,
MSN, RN
Mother Baby
Wellstar Douglas Hospital
Douglasville
,
GA
United States
Allison’s care of this grieving family was inspiring as she addressed the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of a mother unable to hold her babies in her arms. In addition, Allison’s consideration and concern for the pain and grief of the care team were admirable.
A mother pregnant with twins at 23-weeks gestation presented in labor at WDH. This patient, immediately upon arrival, was rushed to surgery and twin babies were delivered. Both babies required significant resuscitation upon delivery. Despite the best efforts of the team, one of the twins passed away here at Douglas shortly after delivery but, the second twin was able to be resuscitated and transferred to the Cobb Hospital NICU. Allison facilitated the baby’s transfer and informed the Cobb Hospital NICU Director of the situation. Twenty-four hours later, the second twin ultimately passed away in the Cobb NICU.
Upon learning that the second baby had passed away, Allison immediately reached out to the Cobb Hospital leadership team to inquire if they would be open to having the second twin transferred back to Douglas. This would enable the grieving mother to have both of her babies here with her and have pictures taken of the twins together. After arranging with Cobb, Allison contacted the funeral home the patient had chosen directly and arranged with the funeral home to transport the second baby back to Douglas. The funeral home agreed and went to Cobb to pick up the second baby and brought her back to Douglas. The mother was able to have both of her babies here together and pictures were made with the babies together. After a couple of days, the funeral home returned to Douglas to take both babies together at the time of mom’s discharge.
In the meantime, Allison arranged for the Cares Team to support the staff with a debriefing session and included every staff member being personally checked on for emotional support needs. Allison ensured that available resources, such as grief counseling, were communicated to each team member involved in this case.
Allison’s care of this grieving family was inspiring as she addressed the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of a mother unable to hold her babies in her arms. In addition, Allison’s consideration and concern for the pain and grief of the care team were admirable. Through her skilled communication, exemplary care coordination, and compassionate care, Allison deserves recognition and appreciation for the positive impact she made for all involved.
Upon learning that the second baby had passed away, Allison immediately reached out to the Cobb Hospital leadership team to inquire if they would be open to having the second twin transferred back to Douglas. This would enable the grieving mother to have both of her babies here with her and have pictures taken of the twins together. After arranging with Cobb, Allison contacted the funeral home the patient had chosen directly and arranged with the funeral home to transport the second baby back to Douglas. The funeral home agreed and went to Cobb to pick up the second baby and brought her back to Douglas. The mother was able to have both of her babies here together and pictures were made with the babies together. After a couple of days, the funeral home returned to Douglas to take both babies together at the time of mom’s discharge.
In the meantime, Allison arranged for the Cares Team to support the staff with a debriefing session and included every staff member being personally checked on for emotional support needs. Allison ensured that available resources, such as grief counseling, were communicated to each team member involved in this case.
Allison’s care of this grieving family was inspiring as she addressed the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of a mother unable to hold her babies in her arms. In addition, Allison’s consideration and concern for the pain and grief of the care team were admirable. Through her skilled communication, exemplary care coordination, and compassionate care, Allison deserves recognition and appreciation for the positive impact she made for all involved.