Debbie Fox
June 2018
Debbie
Fox
,
RN
Endoscopy
Covenant Health Lubbock
Lubbock
,
TX
United States
Debbie was having a typical day in the Endoscopy Department, being pulled in many directions while attempting to please everyone. Endoscopy nurses measure patient care delays by the second. We are continuously looking for efficiency opportunities. We are often tempted to cut corners, a common problem we all face in healthcare.
While working through the pre-procedure workflow, Debbie came to the standard self-harm questions. Behavior health questions are not in the endoscopy nurses comfort zone. In fact, we typically feel unprepared to manage a positive self-harm screening. Why not skip the questions altogether? This thought crosses every nurse's mind. Debbie chose to pause and take the time to ask the patient, "Do you have a plan to harm yourself or someone else?"
Debbie immediately recognized how the question emotionally impacted the patient and family member. The patient took a deep breath and answered "No". Tears began to fill the eyes of the young woman at the bedside. The young woman came to support her mother during the procedure. As chance would have it, Debbie was pulled from the assignment to start another patient's procedure. She could have let the whole situation go, but instead, she chose a different approach.
As soon as Debbie's assignment ended, Debbie intentionally went looking for the patient. She worried that she missed her opportunity. She wanted to close the communication loop. She was unsure if she had offended the patient earlier that morning. She wanted to explain the rationale behind her questions. What she found was surprising.
The patient lost her husband to suicide and the family was still grieving. The young woman at the bedside was the daughter, playing the supportive role in her father's place. Recognizing the opportunity to show the heart of nursing, Debbie embraced the patient and daughter. She took the time to discuss and honor the lost family member. They all cried! Debbie walked away making a difference that day and re-energized her nursing passion. Most importantly, she reminded herself that pausing for a moment will make a difference for our patient's experience!
While working through the pre-procedure workflow, Debbie came to the standard self-harm questions. Behavior health questions are not in the endoscopy nurses comfort zone. In fact, we typically feel unprepared to manage a positive self-harm screening. Why not skip the questions altogether? This thought crosses every nurse's mind. Debbie chose to pause and take the time to ask the patient, "Do you have a plan to harm yourself or someone else?"
Debbie immediately recognized how the question emotionally impacted the patient and family member. The patient took a deep breath and answered "No". Tears began to fill the eyes of the young woman at the bedside. The young woman came to support her mother during the procedure. As chance would have it, Debbie was pulled from the assignment to start another patient's procedure. She could have let the whole situation go, but instead, she chose a different approach.
As soon as Debbie's assignment ended, Debbie intentionally went looking for the patient. She worried that she missed her opportunity. She wanted to close the communication loop. She was unsure if she had offended the patient earlier that morning. She wanted to explain the rationale behind her questions. What she found was surprising.
The patient lost her husband to suicide and the family was still grieving. The young woman at the bedside was the daughter, playing the supportive role in her father's place. Recognizing the opportunity to show the heart of nursing, Debbie embraced the patient and daughter. She took the time to discuss and honor the lost family member. They all cried! Debbie walked away making a difference that day and re-energized her nursing passion. Most importantly, she reminded herself that pausing for a moment will make a difference for our patient's experience!