Ashlynn Plaski
February 2017
Ashlynn
Plaski
,
RN
Emergency Department
Ascension Saint Joseph's Hospital
Marshfield
,
WI
United States

 

 

 

Ashlynn was primary nurse for a patient who arrived at the ED in cardiac arrest. The patient sadly passed away in the department. Ashlynn went above and beyond to ensure the patient's last wishes could be met. The patient's husband informed Ashlynn his wife wished to donate her body to science. Ashlynn called the Medical College of Madison, however, due to not having appropriate paperwork filled out prior to her death; her body could not be donated to the College. They then referred Ashlynn to call the Medical College of Milwaukee. Ashlynn proceeded to call the Medical College of Milwaukee and they accepted the patient's body to be donated to science, without having priorpaperwork completed. Ashlynn discussed this death with leadership that morning after her nightshift, she reported on how this was the most rewarding death she has thus experienced. She described the husband's excitement when being informed his wife's wishes were going to be met to donate her body to science. Ashlynn's ability to meet the patient's last wishes made a large impact on the patient's husband. A horrible situation of losing a loved one was made a little better by ensuring last wishes could be met. Forever, Ashlynn has made a lasting impact for this patient and her husband. Thank you for the great care provided.