Danielle Dougherty
February 2021
Danielle
Dougherty
,
BSN, RN
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs
Danielle compassionately cared for both patients as though they were her own family and made sure they were comfortable and at peace until they passed away.
Throughout the battle with COVID, we in the ICU have experienced our fair share of loss. This past week in particular, however, was beyond trying. As a unit, we experienced 4 deaths and Danielle happened to play a part in caring for each of those individuals. Danielle provided superior care with dignity, compassion, and strength. Though she herself was crying inside (and definitely shed a few actual tears away from the unit), she was able to give these patients, and their families, the most peaceful transition possible. We are beyond blessed to have her as part of our ICU family.
***
Danielle was previously a resource pool nurse who occasionally would float to ICU to care for the less critical patients. After the changes in our staffing model in April, Danielle became a part-time core employee in ICU. She is always eager to learn and is frequently asking to care for the more challenging patients. She also is an excellent team player and her coworkers really enjoy her being part of the team.
As we have experienced our COVID surge in the last couple of weeks, Danielle has had some extremely challenging assignments. She had 2 COVID patients one day who both were moved to end of life. She compassionately cared for both patients as though they were her own family and made sure they were comfortable and at peace until they passed away. She also helped care for another patient who became end of life the following day. Losing 3 patients in a week can be challenging for the most experienced ICU nurse let alone someone who is still learning.
Two days later she was assigned an organ donation case. The patient was a 48yr old who was declared brain dead but was able to fulfill his final wish of organ donation. Danielle again cared for this patient compassionately. She took the time to help the family in his final moments and assisted in organizing a Hero's Walk for the patient. This walk is where staff members throughout the hospital line the hallways to pay respect to the patient who is being taken to surgery for organ donation. This was incredibly emotional and meaningful to the family of the patient.
Danielle had not even finished the walk to surgery with her patient when her new admit was wheeled into the ICU. This was a 38yr old who had a cardiac arrest at home and was now in the process of the targeted temperature management protocol (code chill). The patient was extremely ill and Danielle worked frantically to try to save her life. Unfortunately, the patient was found to have neurological deficits from the code and the family chose to withdrawal care. Danielle again supported the family during this decision and then made the patient comfortable as she passed away.
This was the 4th patient that she directly cared for as they passed away during the week. Through it all Danielle was professional, compassionate, and maintained complete composure with the patients and the families. Although I know this was emotionally draining for Danielle, I was so proud of how she handled her shifts and provided great care to the patients. I am so thankful that she decided to join our team.
***
Danielle was previously a resource pool nurse who occasionally would float to ICU to care for the less critical patients. After the changes in our staffing model in April, Danielle became a part-time core employee in ICU. She is always eager to learn and is frequently asking to care for the more challenging patients. She also is an excellent team player and her coworkers really enjoy her being part of the team.
As we have experienced our COVID surge in the last couple of weeks, Danielle has had some extremely challenging assignments. She had 2 COVID patients one day who both were moved to end of life. She compassionately cared for both patients as though they were her own family and made sure they were comfortable and at peace until they passed away. She also helped care for another patient who became end of life the following day. Losing 3 patients in a week can be challenging for the most experienced ICU nurse let alone someone who is still learning.
Two days later she was assigned an organ donation case. The patient was a 48yr old who was declared brain dead but was able to fulfill his final wish of organ donation. Danielle again cared for this patient compassionately. She took the time to help the family in his final moments and assisted in organizing a Hero's Walk for the patient. This walk is where staff members throughout the hospital line the hallways to pay respect to the patient who is being taken to surgery for organ donation. This was incredibly emotional and meaningful to the family of the patient.
Danielle had not even finished the walk to surgery with her patient when her new admit was wheeled into the ICU. This was a 38yr old who had a cardiac arrest at home and was now in the process of the targeted temperature management protocol (code chill). The patient was extremely ill and Danielle worked frantically to try to save her life. Unfortunately, the patient was found to have neurological deficits from the code and the family chose to withdrawal care. Danielle again supported the family during this decision and then made the patient comfortable as she passed away.
This was the 4th patient that she directly cared for as they passed away during the week. Through it all Danielle was professional, compassionate, and maintained complete composure with the patients and the families. Although I know this was emotionally draining for Danielle, I was so proud of how she handled her shifts and provided great care to the patients. I am so thankful that she decided to join our team.