R is a 43-year-old admitted with Pseudomonas and a history of ALS. He is trached and on a home ventilator. He is unable to speak and is completely paralyzed. He was diagnosed with ALS 3 years ago and during this hospitalization, he found out that some of the few delights he had left (Mountain Dew, cookies and ice cream!) were silently aspirating into his lungs.
Very disappointed and bereft in the few pleasures that he can still take delight in, he confided in me that he wanted to be home in time for his little boy's birthday that would take place in a few days after the 4th of July. He would have to go home on IV antibiotics for the Pseudomonas. Every day, he kept asking me if he could go home for his son's birthday. Working tirelessly to make this possible, staff had him transferred to 6D Neuro-Trauma stepdown in preparation for going home. On the holiday weekend of July 1st, Kris, charge nurse on 6D worked tirelessly to have him discharged even when encountering every possible obstacle.
The only agency that accommodated home ventilators was trying to drop R from service because they were not willing to provide adequate follow-up services to appropriately administer the IV antibiotics as recommended.
Kris not only advocated and spelled out the plan of care for R several times to the agency, but when the agency stated that they would drop R from their service, Kris rallied and called the manager and supervisor on call, pleading R's plan of care and providing that R had appropriate caregivers already in place to supplement his care. Kris took no prisoners!
The family and I heard her on the phone not giving up or letting them drop R from their care because she knew that their agency was the primary agency in the area that could provide service unique to R's care needs. Kris also went the extra mile to make sure that he had an adequate supply of tube feeding to go with him and to be delivered to the home prior to his arrival as well.
Kris kept R and the family informed every chance she could but, mostly remained on the phone relaying information with both the agency and another care provider, or staff members, keeping everyone informed of R's plan to get out that day.
She made it a point to get him discharged that day as the doctor had entered a discharge order. She worked vigorously even after report was given for the next shift until she clocked out making sure all bases were covered with R's discharge.
I am proud to work alongside Kris. She was relentless in her pursuit to help R get home.
It's nurses like Kris who show uncompromising persistence, grit (and grace) with a lot of know-how and advocate for their patients and families that make me proud to work at Mercy Springfield!
R was extremely excited to be home to celebrate his son's birthday and he is so thankful to the staff and to Kris for giving him this gift.