May 2019
Eva
Wurdinger
,
RN
Med 2
Methodist Hospital
San Antonio
,
TX
United States
It was such a simple, powerful act I just witnessed that will change my practice forever. I was asked by Eva to look at a patient doing poorly. We verified the DNR status and it was clear that the patient was actively dying. The patient had a younger family member (daughter) with him. Eva asked if he had a religious preference. Eva then asked the family member for permission to pray the most universal prayer. The "Lord's prayer" over him. This she did holding his hand and rubbing his chest as he left to the next life. A simple, powerful act of compassion for both the patient and the family.