Amber Sweeten
October 2018
Amber
Sweeten
,
RN
Acute Care Medicine
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St. Louis
,
MO
United States
My 94-year-old mother was a patient at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Though she died, she noted several times, "I can't live forever!", I still want to let you and the executive staff know about the extraordinary care that she received.
My sister is a retired BJC nurse who floated on all of the general-medicine floors. She says that she always thought that the staff on 1100 was among the best in the hospital. We were comfortable leaving Mom there at night because we were confident the care would be top-notch, and that we would be called if Mom took a turn for the worse.
The nursing care was exceptional by all of the nurses on all of the shifts. I want to give special recognition to a nurse named Amber who cared for Mom on her last day of life. The floor was full and there were many demands on Amber's time and energy. But she still made time for Mom. She was cheerful every time she entered the room. She took care to closely monitor Mom's deteriorating condition. She went above and beyond to bring Mom comfort, even tenderly massaging her back when Mom simply couldn't get comfortable. Amber was responsive to our questions and concerns; she called the hospitalist when she noticed changes, and when we wanted more information. After Mom died I asked Amber to read a prayer that my niece had written for Mom, but I knew I couldn't read aloud without losing my composure. Amber read the loving remarks in a firm, clear voice.
In most hospital experiences, it is the nurses who patients remember most, for better or worse, because they usually have the most contact with patients and their families. My sister and I will never forget Amber's competence, sensitivity, tenderness, and good cheer. I wish all hospital patients had an Amber caring for them.
Every minute we were in the hospital with Mom was painful. Yet, Amber and our doctor made a solemn and sad experience peaceful for Mom and us. l wish you could use their faces and voices in posters and videos to advertise what patients deserve and can receive in a hospital experience. It was surprising and extraordinary.
My sister is a retired BJC nurse who floated on all of the general-medicine floors. She says that she always thought that the staff on 1100 was among the best in the hospital. We were comfortable leaving Mom there at night because we were confident the care would be top-notch, and that we would be called if Mom took a turn for the worse.
The nursing care was exceptional by all of the nurses on all of the shifts. I want to give special recognition to a nurse named Amber who cared for Mom on her last day of life. The floor was full and there were many demands on Amber's time and energy. But she still made time for Mom. She was cheerful every time she entered the room. She took care to closely monitor Mom's deteriorating condition. She went above and beyond to bring Mom comfort, even tenderly massaging her back when Mom simply couldn't get comfortable. Amber was responsive to our questions and concerns; she called the hospitalist when she noticed changes, and when we wanted more information. After Mom died I asked Amber to read a prayer that my niece had written for Mom, but I knew I couldn't read aloud without losing my composure. Amber read the loving remarks in a firm, clear voice.
In most hospital experiences, it is the nurses who patients remember most, for better or worse, because they usually have the most contact with patients and their families. My sister and I will never forget Amber's competence, sensitivity, tenderness, and good cheer. I wish all hospital patients had an Amber caring for them.
Every minute we were in the hospital with Mom was painful. Yet, Amber and our doctor made a solemn and sad experience peaceful for Mom and us. l wish you could use their faces and voices in posters and videos to advertise what patients deserve and can receive in a hospital experience. It was surprising and extraordinary.