Elana Fuchs
July 2013
Elana
Fuchs
,
RN, BSN
Surgical Services
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

My husband is a cardiac patient who has been admitted in Maimonides hospital countless times. He suffers from CHF and to prevent this from occurring, he is on high dosages of furosemide. Elana (as well as most nurses) found it difficult to believe my husband would be on such a high dosage. To ensure the safety and comfort of her patient, she requested to be present when my husband and I conferenced with his cardiologist who visits every day. She wanted to learn first-hand from my husband's physician about my husband's cardiac condition so she could give him the best possible care. We were so impressed by this young lady's willingness to take time to be part of our conference time.

In addition to attending to his medical needs, Elana personally saw to his physical comfort also. My husband finds it difficult to stay in bed; it's very uncomfortable. He was sitting in an upholstered chair which was not a recliner. His ankles were extremely swollen. Elana took it upon herself to locate and bring into the room a recliner so my husband could be comfortable and have his legs in an upright position to ease the swelling.

All of the above occurred on Sunday. I'm usually by my husband's side day and night but on this day, I had to leave at 2:00pm to attend a wedding. My children were coming to cover for me and I was concerned about leaving. I mentioned my concerns to Elana and she assured me that she would check on him frequently and that he was in good hands. I called her my angel.

Elana exudes warmth, caring and sincerity towards her patients and patient's families. I saw her extend the same caring towards the patient in the next bed in my husband's room.