Our team in ICU participates in many traumatic scenarios. Critical care nurses are expected to respond to RRTs, codes, traumas, and emergent situations in all departments. They witness traumatic events and collaborate with many team members throughout our facility here at GWV. One situation, in particular, we can remember very clearly; we had a very sad situation regarding an OB patient whom cardiac arrested on the floor (and again in ICU), received the Mass Transfusion Protocol (MTP), was cannulated for ECMO and received an impella. We want to recognize some amazing teamwork we witnessed between nursing and critical care. Among a staffing challenge, a separate code a few hours prior, and several admissions, the cohesiveness and true concern for this patient was very apparent. This was a particularly horrific event; we would even venture to say it was among the worst scenarios we have witnessed in our 10-12 years in the ICU. Despite the gravity of the situation, everyone played a key role in doing everything we could for the patient. Up until the time of the patient’s transfer to GMC’s ECMO unit, the coordination of care between the multidisciplinary teams was unmatched. The entire immediate family was given the meditation space to themselves, where they could support one another and take care of the patient’s other very young child. The MSICU nursing leader collaborated with the PEDS department to retrieve diapers. Pastoral care was immediately responsive to the needs of the family and all staff. We witnessed a huddle between nurses and physicians that were genuinely concerned and offered their support. Additionally, a few of the many people were involved: Haley M and Haleigh L, Jess, Maddi G, Bryan, Sara, Amie, Charlie, Cindy, Sami and Dave P. The critical care providers were Donna, Trish, Cory, and Dr. Shariff, Dr. Arkless, and Dr. Stella. Everyone involved deserves a pat on the back.

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I would like to nominate the ICU for the DAISY Team Award. The team goes above and beyond daily. The team realizes families are here when their loved ones are at their worst. We do our best to comfort them, keep them up to date in their loved one's care, and ease their pain. Our team has gone through many rough days ourselves over the past year. Many staff members have lost loved ones, parents, brothers, sons, and nephews. These terrible days have brought us closer together as a team and have made us put ourselves in the shoes of our patients' families. When I tell my patient's mother, I know what you are going through, I really mean it. I feel her pain and suffering. When I tell her I will pray for her when I go home, I really go home and say a prayer that she finds comfort. When I tell her how I can relate to the tragedy she is experiencing, I can see some pain be relieved in her eyes as we cry together. This is only my experience. I know as my colleagues relate to the children whose parents are dying just as they lost their mother a month before, there is an instant connection felt between them. Same as when my colleagues connect with a brother or sister who is losing a sibling. These are all conversations that nurses will never forget and that strangers will never forget. We all are here for one another, our patients, and our families. You will not find a more caring and kinder team.

As a team, we respond to all Rapid response calls, codes, and traumas. I have responded to many myself. I have heard this many, many times before. “Ok, ICU is here.” The floors have respect for our CRNs and are more comfortable in stressful situations when we arrive. Yes, many situations occur on the floor whether it is a situation that occurred on 6th floor, 5th floor, or any floor. These situations become a concern of ours the moment we respond, till the time the patient is transferred to us, cared for by our team, and till hopefully discharged or transferred back in better health. There are a few situations that our entire team worked tirelessly throughout the day or night, to stabilize a patient to be transferred to Geisinger Medical Center also many where our entire team worked tirelessly going through hours of CPR, mass transfusions, and exhausted all options and the patient passes at the end. These are all moments that leave an empty space in our hearts and we will never forget these patients. It is our goal in the ICU to make sure all families know we are there for them as well as the patients. It is not uncommon daily to see nurses just chatting with family members in the rooms, pulling up a chair next to them just to make them feel more at ease. By the number of cards, gifts, snacks, etc. that we receive, we know we are making a difference.

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The past two years have been extremely difficult in the ICU both professionally and personally. Working through a pandemic our ICU Family also suffered some very difficult personal losses. Last year, my sister (who also works in the ICU with me) and my entire family experienced a devastating loss in our family. My ICU family was there for love, support, and anything else we needed. This year to honor my nephew, Z, we are holding a Memorial Golf Tournament in Z’s name to continue to spread Z’s smile and kindness to others. My ICU family without hesitating or even having to be asking, signed up to sponsor holes for the tournament, made baskets, offered to volunteer the day of the benefit, bought t-shirts, and signed up to golf in the tournament. One nurse even donated the money she was going to use for favors for guests at her wedding reception. Her wedding guests will receive a note stating a donation has been made in their name to the Zr Memorial Scholarship Fund. The thing about my ICU family is we don’t only show this kind of love for each other, we show it to our patients and their families as well.

We currently have a patient who is from out of state and his sister would like him transferred to New Jersey. The sister is currently driving every day from New Jersey or paying to stay in a hotel room to be at her brother's bedside. The sister will have to pay out of pocket for her brother's transfer out of state. The ICU nurses are currently thinking of ways to help the patient’s sister raise money, so the patient can be transferred to a New Jersey hospital. These are just two examples. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things the ICU Team does every day for their fellow co-workers, patients, and their families. The ICU Team spreads smiles and kindness every day!!

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My mother was admitted to the ICU from PCU. During her stay, she received terrific care. Every nurse, provider, and tech was amazing! My mom required a lot of care between her volume overload and acute medical issues. The CRNP Donna always kept me updated every step of the way with testing and consults. The nurses, Beth, Ryan, Alex, and Steve were fantastic. They tended to all of my mother's needs and made sure she was as comfortable as possible. My mom was readmitted to ICU a week later with several complications. When she was RRT on MS6 CRNP Donna rushed down to make sure my mother was stabilized and received the best care. She pulled me aside and assured me she was in good hands and would be taken care of. Again back in ICU Ryan took amazing care of my mom making sure all her needs were being met. Donna CRNP again gave amazing care to my mom. She assured my mom she would be in great hands and not to worry about anything. My mom started to decline and we decided to transition her to IP Hospice. Donna made sure to give my mom extra fluids and medication to make the transition. She did a terrific job as when my mom reached hospice she was as perky as ever and was able to see all of her dogs, eat, and enjoy our company one last time.