Brian was the nurse for one of my patients that I admitted with angioedema. The patient was scoped every two hours by ENT and it is a very unpleasant experience. The patient has numbing medication squirted in her nose but it tastes bad, the procedure is still uncomfortable and it constantly makes one feel like they're gagging/going to throw up. She was a trooper throughout the night. When ENT made the decision that her angioedema was getting worse and required intubation, anesthesia was called. There was a prolonged discussion between consultants and it resulted in the patient getting scoped SIX MORE TIMES (which means she was scoped 12 times in total throughout the night) in succession. She was gagging, eyes watering and clearly uncomfortable but we couldn't sedate her given her severe angioedema. Nurse Brian was excellent throughout this entire experience. He was down on the floor in the patient's room, in between all of these consults, holding her hand and talking her through each and every scope and reassuring her constantly. I witnessed the whole thing and was so impressed at how much Brian cared and how much the patient appreciated his support. They maintained eye contact and I know that he was the only reason that the patient kept being so agreeable to our medical interventions that were so far from pleasant. When the patient was getting ready to be discharged, she wanted us all to know what a great nurse Brian was and how much he helped her in the time she needed him. I couldn't agree more because I know if Brian would not have been there the night would not have gone as well and I can say without doubt that because of him the patient did well.
Brian has taken care of many of other patients I have cared for in the MICU, and he is so well loved by all of them that I am glad I have a specific story to share. He is one of the best out there and deserves to be commended on his excellent bedside manner and hard work.