Karen Politi
April 2015
Karen
Politi
,
RN
DPC
Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital
Mayfield Heights
,
OH
United States
This story begins with a patient in DPC. She started coming as she battled recurrent breast cancer. Her procedure was scheduled monthly at first, then biweekly and then every 3-4 days. The whole staff got to know her and her family members through her brave journey. We all took special care to order her favorite breakfast to eat while she recovered for one hour after the procedure since eating was not comfortable in the days prior to coming. We collaborated with radiology to try and limit the amount of time she spent in the hospital since she was coming so often. She had an uplifting smile and laugh that even lightened up our day. We also shared in her excitement as she prepared for her first grandchild and monitored the progress of the afghan she was knitting. The baby arrived healthy, and soon after that, the chemo stopped working for her. The procedure was needed more frequently, and her strength decreased.
On last day we saw her, my co-worker, Karen Politi, made such a difference for the patient and her family. Our patient arrived in a wheelchair so weak that her family could hardly get her to the hospital. Karen saw the look in all their eyes that said, "we need help." They all knew the journey would end and talked about hospice but had not initiated it. Karen knew what they needed and used her past experience in case management to make the necessary calls to get everything set up for this family. She provided the family with a comfortable room, called the doctor and hospice. By the time our patient was finished with her procedure and recovery; hospice had set up a hospital bed at home and was present at the hospital for support to the family. This patient went home comfortably on a stretcher. We all said our goodbyes knowing her and her family had the service of hospice and all the support they needed at this time. Her battle ended less than a week later. Karen went above and beyond expediting and coordinating this care for a family in crisis. This is one example how Karen supports patients as well as co-workers in need.
On last day we saw her, my co-worker, Karen Politi, made such a difference for the patient and her family. Our patient arrived in a wheelchair so weak that her family could hardly get her to the hospital. Karen saw the look in all their eyes that said, "we need help." They all knew the journey would end and talked about hospice but had not initiated it. Karen knew what they needed and used her past experience in case management to make the necessary calls to get everything set up for this family. She provided the family with a comfortable room, called the doctor and hospice. By the time our patient was finished with her procedure and recovery; hospice had set up a hospital bed at home and was present at the hospital for support to the family. This patient went home comfortably on a stretcher. We all said our goodbyes knowing her and her family had the service of hospice and all the support they needed at this time. Her battle ended less than a week later. Karen went above and beyond expediting and coordinating this care for a family in crisis. This is one example how Karen supports patients as well as co-workers in need.