Briefly, a long-term patient of the general surgery team who also underwent chemotherapy during his 9+ month admission had the great fortune of falling into Covey's care when he was transferred back to the surgical inpatient unit from the cancer care unit as he prepared for surgery following completion of chemotherapy. The transition was not an easy one; the patient had settled into many bad habits and was not fond of many caregivers prior to the transfer. He suffered from a lack of structure and did not have the constant companionship of any family member during his long hospitalization that included the holidays.
In the face of these challenges, Covey worked hard to help get him acclimated and back into a routine. What was most inspiring, however, was how she assumed this tedious, thankless role without being asked or recognized. She stepped in, as a parent would do, but while maintaining absolute professionalism. She worked diligently with one of the psychiatry consult nurses who helps to establish behavior programs for patients in his situation. Her work went above and beyond her clinical tasks, remaining involved in his plan even when she was assigned to other patients or precepting new nurses.
Ultimately, the compilation of nursing tasks she presented was accurate, organized and well-received by a multidisciplinary group of providers, therapists, social workers, teachers, and other nurses. From her compilation of important nursing tasks, a reasonable BRAP was established in a timely fashion. Through it all, Covey maintained a calm, consistent presence where expectations were identified and followed through when she cared for him. Further, she made it a point to pop in to check on him if she wasn't caring for him during a given shift so he felt cared for beyond simply being a [notoriously cantankerous] patient in a room on RC.5.
Most importantly, because of her commitment to this patient, he slowly began to settle into the routine laid out in the BRAP - a transition many were doubtful would happen before he went to the operating room. I know Covey's care and compassion for this patient extends beyond her hours at work. When I approached her to thank her for her work, she recanted how she had empathy for the patient when she thought about his circumstance and how if he were one of her family members, she would go through great feats not to leave patient and the providers regarding his needs, coordinating care that was the least interruptive as possible. Her presence on those early post-operative days helped him heal and recover and finally approach discharge.
As we all reflect on our time with this patient, I want to acknowledge all the small things Covey did for this patient, as the family nor the patient himself are not likely to acknowledge them. None of the gestures were done in hopes of recognition, which is such an admirable quality about Covey. May her compassion and patience serve as a positive example for her colleagues and the student nurses and new nurses she mentors.