I recently witnessed an interaction that touched my heart. This was an interaction between David and a very special pediatric patient. Nurses in the Emergency Department are often challenged with competing priorities while creating an exceptional experience and being mindful of throughput. David was able to manage this very delicate situation with grace, compassion, and utmost respect for the special needs of this child. This was an autistic, non-verbal child who David was able to form a bond with. David took the time to make the patient his first priority and addressed the needs of the parents as well. David demonstrated the qualities of a Child Life superhero. He kept the parents informed, he communicated a plan of care with the multidisciplinary team and support staff. David talked to the child at eye level, set expectations with the patient and family, and walked the hallways to make him feel at ease.
Upon discharge, David walked to the door holding the little boy's hand with his family and the father turned to me and said, "this visit was unbelievable. This could have gone much worse, as it usually does in the healthcare environment. We are so appreciative of David.
I am so proud of David and the way in which he managed this situation. He made a difference tor this patient and his family. David embodied each and every NM Nurse Attribute with the patient interaction; Knowledge of his special needs; Collaborative with the multidisciplinary team; Compassion for the patient and family; Advocate for an appropriate plan of care while being utmost professional.
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I wanted to share with you an absolutely amazing encounter that was just witnessed in the emergency department involving a child with developmental delays and a nurse by the name of David Lamb. I have been a child life specialist for a VERY long time and feel honored to have witnessed the professional and keenly appropriate interactions that David had with his very young (11-year-old patient). David walked hand in hand with him to CT scan, knelt next to him throughout the testing, spoke quietly and calmly to him throughout the procedure and provided a gentle high-five upon completion. When returning to the emergency department David knelt next to this patient gently holding his arm and providing comfort and explanation to this patient while the IV therapist successfully placed the IV. I am proud to work with professionals who provide such wonderful care to children, especially those with special challenges.