Nurses play a key role in not only the care of their patient but also in lending a hand when time is of the essence. Drita Useni, RN had been caring for a terminally ill female who was on the organ donor list. This patient shared that her last wish was to give someone else the gift of life through her organ donation.
To honor this patient's wish, Drita remained present with the patient from transport to the operating room and throughout the organ donation procedure. Upon arrival, she took on the role of second circulator RN and volunteered to help as needed. The pace in the OR was urgent and Drita quickly recognized that the primary circulating nurse needed help. Drita sprang into action. Without hesitation, she assisted with blood transport to the ICU Respiratory Therapist multiple times to aid in timely lab test results to assure that the organs would remain viable for transplant in the recipient patient. Time is essential for transplant success.
Drita's assistance in the OR was recognized by both the Donation Coordinator and the Organ Recovery Coordinator. Her dedication provided her patient with compassionate support throughout her transition from life into death. She provided excellent care and was instrumental in helping this patient to achieve her final wish, to give the gift of life to someone else through organ donation.