January 2023
Duaa
Hashm
,
RN
NSCC
Ochsner Medical Center- Main Campus New Orleans
New Orleans
,
LA
United States
Duaa sprang into action and collaborated with two other coworkers to create a fun and colorful game out of materials available on their unit (cups, markers, and discarded medication caps).
Working in the Neuro Critical Care brings its challenges. High acuity patients often need 1:1 monitoring, and nurses are always ready to jump into action to rescue a patient in distress. In caring for highly complex patients, it can be easy to lose sight of the person in the bed. Duaa Hashm, RN is a nurse in the Neurosciences Critical Care at OMC-New Orleans.
One shift, Duaa was caring for a patient who was recovering from a brain tumor resection with a pending biopsy. As any of us would, after the procedure, the patient was struggling both mentally and emotionally. The patient had left-sided neglect on top of dealing with the worry of the biopsy results. On this shift, Duaa and the patient’s daughter were concerned for the patient’s well-being and did their best to provide emotional support. In this discussion, Duaa had an idea that could bring both cheer and some much-needed rehab for this patient – a good game of cornhole! Ok, so it did not technically start as cornhole, but Duaa knew that providing activities that required the patient to incorporate his left side was vital to his rehabilitation. Sometimes simple maneuvers such as picking up small items and placing them into a cup is a beneficial exercise. Duaa sprang into action and collaborated with two other coworkers to create a fun and colorful game out of materials available on their unit (cups, markers, and discarded medication caps). The special added touch of a “points system” made this simple idea more impactful than they will ever know. As healthcare professionals, we sometimes undervalue the small efforts. Being equipped with knowledge and skill is imperative to patient outcomes, but also not losing sight of the simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference in the lives of our patients.
The patient later that day was able to move out of the ICU. Upon transfer, the patient and his daughter expressed their appreciation for Duaa’s effort and care – “Thank you for being my nurse. There is something truly special about you, my girl.” Thank you, Duaa, for your innovation and care provided. Your work is inspiring to us all!
One shift, Duaa was caring for a patient who was recovering from a brain tumor resection with a pending biopsy. As any of us would, after the procedure, the patient was struggling both mentally and emotionally. The patient had left-sided neglect on top of dealing with the worry of the biopsy results. On this shift, Duaa and the patient’s daughter were concerned for the patient’s well-being and did their best to provide emotional support. In this discussion, Duaa had an idea that could bring both cheer and some much-needed rehab for this patient – a good game of cornhole! Ok, so it did not technically start as cornhole, but Duaa knew that providing activities that required the patient to incorporate his left side was vital to his rehabilitation. Sometimes simple maneuvers such as picking up small items and placing them into a cup is a beneficial exercise. Duaa sprang into action and collaborated with two other coworkers to create a fun and colorful game out of materials available on their unit (cups, markers, and discarded medication caps). The special added touch of a “points system” made this simple idea more impactful than they will ever know. As healthcare professionals, we sometimes undervalue the small efforts. Being equipped with knowledge and skill is imperative to patient outcomes, but also not losing sight of the simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference in the lives of our patients.
The patient later that day was able to move out of the ICU. Upon transfer, the patient and his daughter expressed their appreciation for Duaa’s effort and care – “Thank you for being my nurse. There is something truly special about you, my girl.” Thank you, Duaa, for your innovation and care provided. Your work is inspiring to us all!