The patient was court committed to an inpatient psych unit and had an extended inpatient LOS. The patient's case was both psychiatrically and medically complex which posed a barrier for viable disposition options that would meet the patient's needs holistically. From a behavioral health perspective, the patient was frequently verbally and physically aggressive towards others (especially employees) and the inpatient psych unit experienced a significant increase in workplace violence because of such behaviors. Employees encountered both physical and emotional fatigue for quite some time.
Unfortunately, the patient became medically unstable and the medical needs ultimately outweighed the behavioral health needs. Thus, the patient was discharged to a medical unit for continued medical and end of life care.
This did not stop the care provided by the BH team. After the patient transferred, BH employees continued to provide compassionate care to the patient and support to the newly assigned clinical team. Employees visited the patient daily; sat at the patient's bedside; talked with and listened to the patient; laughed with the patient; encouraged meal and fluid intake; assisted with cleaning, baths, and linen changes, etc. Employees developed a therapeutic rapport with the patient that helped decrease behavioral emergency response calls for this patient. Employees utilized training and expertise while displaying trauma-informed, compassionate care.
It is believed that this service made a difference in the life of both the patient as end of life neared and the employees. The patient was surrounded by familiar, respected, and trusted faces at a time that was possibly most frightening. To employees, it was an act of kindness and collaboration to help maintain a safe environment for all and to provide safe, quality patient care.
Here is an email to the manager:
I am one of the nurses on 12 General. I just wanted to shoot you a quick email regarding your staff. We recently received a patient from your unit to ours for End of Life Care. Patient JW was on your unit for longer than a year and has developed a rapport and relationship with the staff. Your staff has shown genuine compassion and immense affection to a dying soul.
I am so impressed by their unchanging compassion towards this patient even after discharging her from your unit. They often come to visit the patient, clean, change, talk to and at times listen to the patient. Though the patient is hard to deal with at times, they still bear with her and laugh at her not so pleasant comments. We on 12 Gen are very grateful to your staff for helping with the patient and providing the comfort measure the patient needs. You have a great staff that deserves acknowledgment.
I'm sure JW appreciates the love and attention she is receiving from your staff at End of Life. Please do thank your staff for portraying the Parkland Value of providing Excellence.