Last night a dear friend came to my work desk crying and saying that her brother had come to the ED via EMS. EMS had told her that her brother would most likely not make it to Mission. My friend asked if I would find out his status and could she see him if he passed.

I work in the ED but in discharge. I went to the back area and found the patient; the team was working on him. I explained to the nurses caring for him why I was there, and I asked if I could update the patient's family on his status, as he had not passed. Justin Pannell, RN, was this patient's primary nurse. He gave me information to tell the family, and even though it was a very intense situation, he got my friends back to be with their brother very quickly.

He gave excellent care to the patient but still found time to do all the little things that made the family feel cared about. He put his arm around them, gave them tissues and chairs, and explained everything in a soft, very caring, and kind manner. He stayed with them answering questions. His calm and caring manner made my friends feel like they were family.

This bad situation was even more complicated by the fact that the patient's children were in Colorado and Germany. Emily Hamilton, RN, was able to give the Red Cross all the information to help get the patient's son on his way from Germany; and all while my friends were grieving and trying to talk to their brother who was non-responsive and intubated.

They were very sad that he could not respond to them, as they told him they had contacted his children. Emily told them, "He really likes it when you talk to him. Look, his oxygen levels have come up, and his heart rate has settled down. He does hear you." My friend told me that hearing what Emily said gave her so much peace.

I know that the ED has great nurses who are very skilled at handling codes, but I was very proud to know that they are also very skilled at helping distressed families as well. These two nurses, Emily Hamilton and Justin Pannell, went above giving excellent care to the patient. They also gave excellent care to the Family. I have, in my 40 years as a nurse, seen many codes. In this case, this person and his family are very dear to me. I can only say Emily and Justin added so many caring and compassionate touches to help this family, that they made them feel like they were the only ones in the ED. I know that this must be how they treat all their patients. Their compassion just flowed out of them without effort. Many thanks.