Carol Buyck
March 2019
Carol
Buyck
,
RN
Tracy Medical Center
Sanford Health Network
Sioux Falls
,
SD
United States

 

 

 

Our mother was admitted to Sanford Tracy Hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia and passed away in your facility. During our Mother's hospital stay, she had a number of qualified nurses care for her, but Carol stood out among them.
Carol was professional and always willing to take the time to answer our numerous questions. Many times, there were six or more family members in the small hospital room and Carol never showed frustration with questions, comments or having to maneuver around all of us to complete her work. She explained the course of Mother's disease, the test results, and the dying process in terms that our whole family could understand. Carol was so sweet and kind in her care for Mother - calm, soft-spoken, tender when turning/bathing, and using humor when appropriate to ease a stressful situation. Mother was alert and oriented the day prior to her death and made comments to my sisters and I such as, "Carol needs a tip," "Giver her some money - she does a good job," "You girls take care of that." Mother would smile at Carol and we could tell she felt comfortable with Carol's care.
Carol was an advocate for Mother in her collaboration with the providers (MD, NP, PA) that came in for just a few minutes each day to assess Mother's physical state. The day prior to Mother's death, the visiting MD felt Mother was more alert and hence improving and he would order physical therapy for her. Carol informed the MD of Mother's declining performance status and stated she did not feel this would be an appropriate order for Mother at this time. After further discussion and Carol providing the MD with the full scope of Mother's physical state, the MD agreed and did not order physical therapy.
My sisters and I are so grateful that Carol helped our Mother have a peaceful passing and die with dignity. When Carol came to Mother's visitation to honor her life, my sisters and I were quite impressed and brought to tears. Now that is above and beyond the call of duty!
Carol is a "gem" amongst nurses and as a fellow nursing professional, I am proud to be in her company.