This team of nurses collectively made sure that baby K who has never left the hospital since birth made the IMCU a home for her and her mommy. It was discovered after her birth that baby K was born with only one very small kidney and she would not be able to sustain life without peritoneal dialysis. The baby was transferred to our hospital, a one hour drive from her home. Since she was going to be with us for a while, after a long admission to the PICU, the IMCU peritoneal dialysis nurses made sure that her time in our unit made it feel like home. From the moment she woke up in the morning, she was greeted with a routine of smiles and laughter from all the nurses as she was taken off of her PD circuit to share morning coffee with the group. She was awake and dressed, ready for the day. When it was time for rounds, K would sometimes join in her wagon so she could have the interaction with many faces and language interactions. Naptime was the same time every day. Her crib was made to be as cozy as possible with her favorite soft pink blankets and soothing sounds. The nurses read her stories and made sure she was meeting her milestones.

It was the goal of our unit to have as many nurses achieve competency in the care of the peritoneal dialysis patient so that we could all safely and adequately care for baby K. Prior to her arrival from PICU, many of the nurses prepared themselves by participating and completing educational models and mock hands-on training with the PD cycler. Once baby K arrived, the team was ready to go.

During baby K’s time with on the unit, her mom experienced some heartbreak and worry about her ability to take baby K home. Again, the nurses took the extra time to form a friendship and bond with mom like no other. They made sure her bed was fresh and brought lavender pillow sprays so she could rest comfortably knowing baby K was going to be well cared for. Before she left, the nurses got together to assemble a gift basket for mom with gift cards and pampering items to let her know what a special mom and friend she had become to the staff. When it was time to leave, the nurses shared a tearful goodbye and even walked baby K over to her new home at the clubhouse. To let mom know, that she and baby K will always hold a special place in the IMCU.