I would like to recognize ten incredible emergency department team members for their heroic efforts and compassionate care that they provided to a family after a traumatic arrest. Being a part of an arrest is never easy, but when it is unexpected and tragic, it makes it more difficult. This team of nurses, physicians, and advanced patient care technicians were faced with a traumatic arrest with a short window of notification. They were able to quickly congregate and develop a plan of care for this patient. Even though the outcome was not what everyone would have hoped for, the team then faced a family who had no idea of the child's severity and outcome. This team was able to deliver news to about 20+ family members and provide them with the support that they needed. The next two paragraphs are letters from the EMS crew that brought the child to the ED and the child's Aunt.
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Thank you to both of you for all you did for our crews, and the family involved in yesterday's deadly trauma. It was so reassuring when I saw you at the ER doors waiting for our arrival. I have been to your location on numerous occasions and our crews have waited to hear the outcome, but I have never stayed beyond that point. Yesterday was truly a learning experience for me, as to what your team does to comfort a family. The doctors, nurses, security, chaplain, child life specialists, registration, etc., were all so wonderful and compassionate and supportive of the family. I also appreciate your referral to the County CISM team. At this point, my staff is doing okay. We will continue to talk and analyze individual's needs for additional support from CISM and/or EAP. Having known the step-mom and her family made this a difficult call for me. On behalf of P.H. EMS and the family, please extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all involved in yesterday's incident. I can't even fathom how your staff deals with sick and dying children on a regular basis. God bless to all!
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I am C's aunt. Last Tuesday all of you interacted with my family at our darkest hour. We lost C in a tragic ATV accident. You all were there with C and with us, as one by one, his closest relatives came face to face with the news that we had lost him. As we walked around in shock and tried to shoulder our grief we were lost. You all were there with a cold drink, a patient explanation, a kind word and a perfect balance between giving us space and not leaving us alone. I know we asked the same questions over and over, we were slow and confusing with our answers, we were not quick to get out of your way or to leave our C so you guys could finish your jobs. So please David Rausch, RN, Emily Shawley, RN, Erika Lenzner, RN, Melony Wilhelm, RN, Heather Markley, RN, Addie Conner, RN, Marie Antonucci, MD, Ryan Marino, MD, Alex Sossong, MD, Allison Sundin, APCT, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I want you all to know that we realize you have an incredibly difficult job. I couldn't imagine facing this each day with new people and having to remain professional but you do, and not just that you are incredibly gracious and compassionate and I am writing this to make sure you each know that it matters. The patience and compassion you showed us matters. Most of the day was a blur, but as my family and I spoke of the day we lost C we always come back to how great you all were to us. I am sure I muttered a thank you out of habit and manners as we interacted, but that is not enough. You all deserve so much more than that. I do not have the words, all I can say is sincerely thank you for the way you treated us at a time when we were broken.
Team Members honored with this DAISY TEAM Award:
David Rausch, MSN, RN
Emily Shawley, MSN, RN, CPEN
Erica Lenzner, BSN, RN
Melony Wilhelm, BSN, RN
Heather Wolmeldorff, BSN, CPEN, CPN
Addie Conner, BSN, RN
Maria Antonucci, MD
Ryan Marino, MD