Jessica Decker
July 2016
Jessica
Decker
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
UF Health - Shands
Gainesville
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

Several weeks ago a patient was admitted to the CICU with his longtime companion, Boy, who is a 60-pound rescue dog. Boy and the patient lived together in a van and split their time between Ohio and Florida. When Jessica Decker, CICU Clinical Leader, arrived in the morning she went to the bedside and saw Boy curled up on the bed with the patient. It was obvious these two had a close bond. But this was not the place for Boy, although the nurses and the support techs were doing everything they could to meet his needs. Jessica discussed the situation with the patient and they formulated a plan. Jessica drove Boy to her veterinarian's office. She arranged for a bath, vaccines and boarding. Boy stayed with Jessica's vet until the patient was ready to be discharged. To address similar situations in the future Jessica is forming a volunteer group of hospital staff who will be on call to provide hospital wide assistance.