Christopher Grutta
December 2014
Christopher
Grutta
,
BSN, RN
7 West Hospital
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Burlington
,
MA
United States
It is necessary that I begin this nomination by stating, for confidentiality reasons; there are certain details that I am not at liberty to share. However, I hope that it will not cast any shadow of doubt that Christopher Grutta is a deserving candidate of your award.
7West recently cared for a patient after his procedure. After the procedure the patient verbalized thoughts of suicide - stating that this diagnosis was a "death sentence anyway". He also verbalized his lack of a support system since he was an only child and his parents were divorced - father living here in Massachusetts while, the patient and his mother are living in Montreal, Canada.
At this point, the decision was made by the physician group, that the patient was no longer safe to be discharged home, and was therefore admitted to 7-West with a 1:1 sitter for suicide precautions.
After assessing the patient his nurse, Katie Tauber, was sharing her concerns for this patient with her colleagues - his flat affect, wanting to commit suicide, refusing to look or speak to anyone, lack of social support, etc. Upon hearing this, Christopher asked Katie if he could possibly go in and speak with the patient - that perhaps he could help him.
After a conversation with Christopher lasting approximately 90 minutes, this patient's demeanor had changed entirely! The patient was smiling, stated that he now had hope for a future, no longer considering suicide as his only option. The patient was even able to experience four consecutive hours of sleep overnight. The following day, the patient was seen by a member of the Psychiatry Department and cleared for a safe discharge to his father's home.
Although I am unable to disclose the details of the conversation between Christopher and this patient, I want to emphasize its significance to this patient's perception of his diagnosis and prognosis. During my Leadership Round, the patient expressed to me, his debt of gratitude that Christopher had taken the time to come in and speak with him.
Christopher committed a selfless act of kindness, compassion, and empathy towards this patient - which in turn, allowed this patient to refocus his strengths and efforts from thoughts of suicide to cancer treatment and possible remission. I truly believe that Christopher may have saved this patient's life with a 90 minute conversation.
It has been a pleasure, and now and honor, to work with Christopher Grutta!
7West recently cared for a patient after his procedure. After the procedure the patient verbalized thoughts of suicide - stating that this diagnosis was a "death sentence anyway". He also verbalized his lack of a support system since he was an only child and his parents were divorced - father living here in Massachusetts while, the patient and his mother are living in Montreal, Canada.
At this point, the decision was made by the physician group, that the patient was no longer safe to be discharged home, and was therefore admitted to 7-West with a 1:1 sitter for suicide precautions.
After assessing the patient his nurse, Katie Tauber, was sharing her concerns for this patient with her colleagues - his flat affect, wanting to commit suicide, refusing to look or speak to anyone, lack of social support, etc. Upon hearing this, Christopher asked Katie if he could possibly go in and speak with the patient - that perhaps he could help him.
After a conversation with Christopher lasting approximately 90 minutes, this patient's demeanor had changed entirely! The patient was smiling, stated that he now had hope for a future, no longer considering suicide as his only option. The patient was even able to experience four consecutive hours of sleep overnight. The following day, the patient was seen by a member of the Psychiatry Department and cleared for a safe discharge to his father's home.
Although I am unable to disclose the details of the conversation between Christopher and this patient, I want to emphasize its significance to this patient's perception of his diagnosis and prognosis. During my Leadership Round, the patient expressed to me, his debt of gratitude that Christopher had taken the time to come in and speak with him.
Christopher committed a selfless act of kindness, compassion, and empathy towards this patient - which in turn, allowed this patient to refocus his strengths and efforts from thoughts of suicide to cancer treatment and possible remission. I truly believe that Christopher may have saved this patient's life with a 90 minute conversation.
It has been a pleasure, and now and honor, to work with Christopher Grutta!