I work in the Emergency Department and had a patient arrive to us with a new colostomy secondary to a new diagnosis of cancer. The family was sent home with colostomy bags but none that fit over the top of her stoma. The family was told that she will just have to lay an absorbent cloth over the top of the stoma until she could be seen, at the earliest, Tuesday of the next week (this was Sunday). None of the colostomy wafers or bags that the hospital stocked were big enough to go over the stoma. I went to several inpatient nursing units looking for supplies and explain my situation, with some suggestions I ended up in the ICU to see if anyone had any suggestions or solutions, while I was explaining my needs along came Gretchen. She started to tell me what I needed to do to help the patient and how to do it, and said, "...you know what, never mind - I'll just come down and show you." Not only did she figure out a way to create an improvised colostomy, using a wound bag, and cutting off the bottom and applying a clamp so the family could easily empty it, but she came down to the ER to impart her wisdom.
Even though she had her own patients back on her home unit, Gretchen sat at the bedside, taking the time to show the patient and her family the proper application and care of the new bag. She explained things like how to "burb" the bag, how to apply it to her skin, how to tuck it into her clothes. Gretchen asked the patient how she wanted to position the bag - giving suggestions so the patient can make a decision based on her lifestyle... up and down versus off to the side... As she sat at the bedside discussing the process, I could see, not only the patient, but the family as well begin to open up to her. They asked numerous questions, watched carefully over Gretchen as she applied the new device, voiced numerous concerns about caring for this new and scary change to their lives. Gretchen was so unbelievably relaxed and reassuring! In fact, with each question, the family and patient asked, you could visibly watch the apprehension leave each of them with each answer she gave. What started as a room of scared family members turned into smiles and calm.
This may seem like something any nurse can do, change a colostomy. But what makes Gretchen so worthy of this award is that she was able to use her ingenuity to create a useful solution to an issue. You could visibly watch the apprehension leave each of them with each answer she gave. But the most amazing thing, she was willing to do this for another unit. Gretchen was able to provide her experience and reassurance, not only to a patient that was not hers but to a patient on another unit. Gretchen embodies what nursing should be, kindness, compassion and the ability to leave your mark in this world in a positive way!