M was a patient who was homeless and had not showered for 5 years. After another AN II had given M an awesome haircut, Cheryl Patzer our charge nurse, knew what was missing from the patient's new look; a well-deserved shower. The patient had expressed that it was 5 years since he had showered because he was homeless and due to other circumstances. Everyone knows Cheryl is one of the most thoughtful and kindhearted nurses, that always makes the impossible-possible!
Unfortunately, the patient did not fit in our showers on our unit. That did not stop Cheryl; she made arrangements with East 5 Neuro to bring the patient there to be showered as they had larger shower areas. She took him and showered him; regardless of the odor of not showering in 5 years, there was no judgment, only compassion was displayed. The patient was very happy and stated he felt and smelled like a different person and did not expect such treatment.
After being in our unit for a couple more days, the patient was transferred to a skilled nursing facility, and he told transporters everything we did for him, and how grateful he was and how he did not expect to receive this type of care in a hospital stay. He was very emotional upon leaving and made sure we knew how much he appreciated what was done on Tower 8 for him. This is an excellent example of the care patients should receive when staying here at UC Davis Medical Center.