January 2015
Gina
Sabatini
,
RN
Clinial Observation Unit
St. Vincent Hospital
Worcester
,
MA
United States
I have traveled all over the country for 25 years and have been witness to many nurses in many hospitals - they just don't have it all - they don't have the pride and honor that Gina Sabatini does. She is a very caring Lady. Her personality and kindness represent the hospital with true professionalism.
...
There was a patient who came in because he was no longer able to care for himself, he lived alone. He had macular degeneration and only had peripheral vision out of one of his eyes. The other eye had an infection that he let go and didn't have any vision in that one at all. He was a hoarder and lived in squalor. He came in confused and unkempt; hair matted, toenails too long, filthy beard. He wasn't eating or drinking at home due to confusion, and no teeth. He was just not sure how to do his ADLS any more.
During his stay, the staff was able to spend time with him and in speaking to him were able to find out that he was a photographer in WWII, stationed in Burma for awhile. He said he took pictures from planes that skimmed the ground. His roommate confirmed that this might be true and accurate information after hearing us speak with him.
Following morning rounds, they called me into the room and I couldn't believe my eyes. This patient was all shaved and his skin was glistening. All the dirt embedded in his beard was gone. Podiatry took care of his toenails so he could wear shoes. He was placed on a healthy diet. He looked and felt like a New Man.
Suspecting his story about being a photographer was true, Gina Sabatini looked on the internet to try and find something about him. She was able to find photos that he took and published in the war and an article that he wrote. She even found a picture of him with a camera in his hand, standing in front of a WWII plane. Gina even discovered that he had written a 44 page book about his experiences in the war and she went further to print it and read to him excerpts from it. She sent with him the complete article to rehab so he could have something to remember his past by. She showed him the picture of himself which he was able to recognize out of the corner of his good eye. He was thrilled to be able to remember these events.
So often we take care of patients and don't know anything about their past, we don't get to know the person. Our patients touch us in so many ways and I am certain that this patient was touched by the kindness of this extraordinary Nurse, Gina Sabatini.
...
There was a patient who came in because he was no longer able to care for himself, he lived alone. He had macular degeneration and only had peripheral vision out of one of his eyes. The other eye had an infection that he let go and didn't have any vision in that one at all. He was a hoarder and lived in squalor. He came in confused and unkempt; hair matted, toenails too long, filthy beard. He wasn't eating or drinking at home due to confusion, and no teeth. He was just not sure how to do his ADLS any more.
During his stay, the staff was able to spend time with him and in speaking to him were able to find out that he was a photographer in WWII, stationed in Burma for awhile. He said he took pictures from planes that skimmed the ground. His roommate confirmed that this might be true and accurate information after hearing us speak with him.
Following morning rounds, they called me into the room and I couldn't believe my eyes. This patient was all shaved and his skin was glistening. All the dirt embedded in his beard was gone. Podiatry took care of his toenails so he could wear shoes. He was placed on a healthy diet. He looked and felt like a New Man.
Suspecting his story about being a photographer was true, Gina Sabatini looked on the internet to try and find something about him. She was able to find photos that he took and published in the war and an article that he wrote. She even found a picture of him with a camera in his hand, standing in front of a WWII plane. Gina even discovered that he had written a 44 page book about his experiences in the war and she went further to print it and read to him excerpts from it. She sent with him the complete article to rehab so he could have something to remember his past by. She showed him the picture of himself which he was able to recognize out of the corner of his good eye. He was thrilled to be able to remember these events.
So often we take care of patients and don't know anything about their past, we don't get to know the person. Our patients touch us in so many ways and I am certain that this patient was touched by the kindness of this extraordinary Nurse, Gina Sabatini.