Kristina Gallaway
May 2021
Kristina
Gallaway
,
RN- C
Neonatal ICU
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown
,
NJ
United States
The emotional support provided during this time was invaluable to this family during the bereavement process. Kristina’s spectacular communication with this family let the entire team know what this family desired for their baby.
On the second floor of MMC building there is a special place where few witness the fighting chance at life that the sickest babies are given. The NICU is home to many miracles and unfortunately some Cherubs (baby angels). It is a place where life can be measured in hours and where life can change on a moment’s notice. Kristina has shown patients and families in our NICU exceptional care for seven years.
Most recently Kristina had two difficult bereavement cases which were unexpected and sudden. Kristina guided these families through the bereavement process with compassion while using interdisciplinary, and family-centered care. The first bereavement case was a twin who suddenly declined and had an inoperable diagnosis. It was sudden and unexpected given how stable the patient was during the previous shift. Kristina asked the appropriate questions and involved the Physicians, pastoral care, and other key members of the NICU team. Kristina made sure the baby was not in pain before performing any care. While the father held the baby, pastoral care facilitated the mother in baptizing their son. Kristina facilitated the parents holding their twins together. She performed the baby's last bath with the family and made a beautiful memory box. The emotional support provided during this time was invaluable to this family during the bereavement process. Kristina’s spectacular communication with this family let the entire team know what this family desired for their baby.
The second bereavement case was also sudden and unexpected for another patient and family. It also occurred very quickly after the first bereavement case. It takes a lot of bravery and strength to guide a family through the bereavement process and to give this to two families back to back can be emotionally exhausting. Kristina never showed this to anyone and kept an extremely professional demeanor. Again, using a team approach Kristina kept pastoral care, MDs, and other nursing staff, informed of the end-of-life care choices the parents desired. Explanation and education on what and why were very important to this family. Kristina demonstrated extraordinary care of this family’s emotional needs by taking time to explain and guide them through dressing the patient for the last time.
Kristina has given families in the NICU closure on the most difficult day of their life. While the family may not remember her name, I know these families will remember feeling safe, feeling their wishes were met, and feeling their family member was given exceptional care.
Most recently Kristina had two difficult bereavement cases which were unexpected and sudden. Kristina guided these families through the bereavement process with compassion while using interdisciplinary, and family-centered care. The first bereavement case was a twin who suddenly declined and had an inoperable diagnosis. It was sudden and unexpected given how stable the patient was during the previous shift. Kristina asked the appropriate questions and involved the Physicians, pastoral care, and other key members of the NICU team. Kristina made sure the baby was not in pain before performing any care. While the father held the baby, pastoral care facilitated the mother in baptizing their son. Kristina facilitated the parents holding their twins together. She performed the baby's last bath with the family and made a beautiful memory box. The emotional support provided during this time was invaluable to this family during the bereavement process. Kristina’s spectacular communication with this family let the entire team know what this family desired for their baby.
The second bereavement case was also sudden and unexpected for another patient and family. It also occurred very quickly after the first bereavement case. It takes a lot of bravery and strength to guide a family through the bereavement process and to give this to two families back to back can be emotionally exhausting. Kristina never showed this to anyone and kept an extremely professional demeanor. Again, using a team approach Kristina kept pastoral care, MDs, and other nursing staff, informed of the end-of-life care choices the parents desired. Explanation and education on what and why were very important to this family. Kristina demonstrated extraordinary care of this family’s emotional needs by taking time to explain and guide them through dressing the patient for the last time.
Kristina has given families in the NICU closure on the most difficult day of their life. While the family may not remember her name, I know these families will remember feeling safe, feeling their wishes were met, and feeling their family member was given exceptional care.