We received a patient who would be with us for nearly 42 days. 42 days is not only a long time to be in the hospital for anyone, but for a patient that has to be confined in isolation to a single room for this amount of time, must have felt like a lifetime. Despite the language barrier our staff had to overcome to communicate with this patient, the rapport that the staff was able to build with the patient was remarkable. One nurse who cared for the patient sticks out in my mind. Kayla Johnson truly went above and beyond every time she was assigned to take care of this patient. Unfortunately, this patient was forced to spend her birthday in the hospital. Kayla recognized and empathized with the patient. Kayla took it upon herself to find a way to make the patient feel special on her birthday. She searched translations to make the patient a birthday card. When the card was presented to the patient, Kayla wasn't sure how the patient was going to respond. She remembers the patient getting her glasses, reading the card, and sitting silently. It wasn't until the patient looked back up to Kayla with tears in her eyes, that Kayla knew how much the patient appreciated her efforts.
As the patient approached day 41 in the same room, Kayla stepped up to the plate again when she was assigned to take care of the patient. Kayla connected with the patient and recognized how the patient must have felt having to be confined to her hospital room for so long. She thought about how depressing it must have to be for anyone to have to be in such a situation. Kayla kept in contact with Infection Control and Infectious Disease. When Kayla found out the patient could safely and briefly leave her isolated room, Kayla began planning a mini fieldtrip for the patient. Although Kayla had several other patients she was caring for in addition to this patient, she managed to set time aside and cater to her patient. Kayla followed the recommendation given to her for the patient to come out of her room. Although the patient was wearing a mask as they paraded up and down the hallway, no one could miss the expression of gratitude the patient had. It was obvious that there was a smile hidden behind the mask she was required to wear.
On this mini field trip Kayla took her patient outside. I cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be able to physically be outside and not looking through a window. Kayla let her patient pick flowers and enjoy the outdoors momentarily before heading to the gift shop. As Kayla and her patient proceeded back to our unit, the smile behind the mask still had not faded as she walked towards the nurses station with a pink St. Elizabeth Healthcare t-shirt over her hospital gown with a flower and balloon in hand. Staff interacted with the patient as they expressed excitement for and with the patient. The language barrier that existed became irrelevant. Although there are many times Kayla is trying to find ways to personally connect with patients and make them feel special, this on sticks out in my mind the most.
Kayla's generosity and caring nature is something we can all learn from. Kayla's acts of kindness come without hesitation. At times, it doesn't even seem like Kayla recognizes the impact her care has on her patients, but her co-workers do.