Erica Krug, RN

My patient was a cancer patient who had really no options left for treatment. Her husband had been struggling with her code status. She was a full code. Erica Krug spent extra time with the husband, helping him to make some difficult decisions about his wife.

After he decided to make her a DNR, he then made her a hospice patient. She was admitted as an inpatient hospice that day. When I was initiating her medication (the husband had gone home), Erica sat beside her and held her hand. She spoke softly to her. She put the TV on our soft music station. Erica stayed with her, holding her hand until she had relaxed and was able to stop moaning from her pain. She then let her hand go, said goodbye, and left the room. The patient looked more comfortable than she had the entire stay in the hospital. It was awesome to watch an example of such a compassionate, caring person. The patient passed away peacefully the following day.