May 2021
Alyssa
Spangler
,
RN
ICU
Wayne UNC Health Care
Goldsboro
,
NC
With the blessing of the physician, Alyssa went into action to coordinate her move outside on a vent with suction and IVs.
The ICU received a 40-year-old patient with COVID. After her transfer, she was intubated. We had difficulty weaning her from the vent. Fast forward after being 2 months on the vent. Options for long-term care were discussed with the patient and husband related to trach, but she was not a candidate for this related to her oxygen demand. This brave patient and her husband made the difficult decision to come off life support.
Alyssa was her nurse many times during her stay, and they developed a bond around children and music. The patient and family had a last request to go outside to see her entire family. With the blessing of the physician, Alyssa went into action to coordinate her move outside on a vent with suction and IVs. She worked with Cardiopulmonary and the other ICU nurses to plan this detailed move throughout the day. The team successfully made the transfer outside to be met by a big bright sun and her family including the family dog. Three days later the nurses, family, and pastor welcomed the patient home to her Lord, Jesus. The patient also was a nurse.
Alyssa was her nurse many times during her stay, and they developed a bond around children and music. The patient and family had a last request to go outside to see her entire family. With the blessing of the physician, Alyssa went into action to coordinate her move outside on a vent with suction and IVs. She worked with Cardiopulmonary and the other ICU nurses to plan this detailed move throughout the day. The team successfully made the transfer outside to be met by a big bright sun and her family including the family dog. Three days later the nurses, family, and pastor welcomed the patient home to her Lord, Jesus. The patient also was a nurse.