Friday, Kristi and Erin exhibited an incredible act of compassion. They both worked together to see that a critical care patient was able to be visited by his wife who unfortunately was also admitted in a different facility. The wife's condition made it impossible for her to physically be able to travel by a personal vehicle. This wife would need a stretcher. Erin had been reaching out to the other facility in search of transport options for the wife earlier this same day, without success. She had also been informed that it would be almost a week before the wife could possibly be discharged and visit her husband. Up until this late afternoon, Erin had only been able to complete a FaceTime call with the wife while in the husband's room.  She and Kristi both recognized that time may not be in the couple’s favor, given the seriousness of the husband's condition. After discussing, Erin and Kristi felt that waiting around was not good enough and decided not to take no for an answer. Both placed themselves in the wife's position and couldn’t imagine not being able to see a loved one, one more time. After another call or two, Kristi reached out to the Chief Nursing Officer, explained the situation, and voiced her concerns about the seriousness of her husband’s condition. Within a short time, they received a call back from the CNO that the wife would be picked up, by non-emergent transport, from her current facility within 15 minutes and transported to SGMC Health Main to visit her husband. I understand that the wife did make it that evening and was able to spend time in the room with her husband. 

As we all know, these actions are not taught in nursing school. They are not in a policy to be followed. Nor are they on a checklist or part of a regulation to be met.  This action is from true compassion and advocating the best for another individual who can only live in the heart.  I am so proud of these nurses for going above and beyond, as I am of all of the SGMC Health nurses I encounter daily because of their drive to give their best to those entrusted in their care. May God continue to bless each of you with the eyes, ears, hearts, hands, and words to carry out your work every day! You make a difference!