I am an emergency medicine resident currently working in the Surgical ICU. Lauryn and I took care of a very ill patient who came in with necrotizing pancreatitis. The patient was critically ill, on multiple vasopressors, undergoing CRRT dialysis, and not responding. Not only did Lauryn take wonderful care of the patient, staying on top of all of her lines, drips, etc., but she also took phone calls from her children every 1-2 hours giving the most up to date information.
However, there was one action that really stood out above the rest. When it became clear that the patient was not going to survive, Lauryn arranged for the patient to be taken out to the healing garden to pass outside with her family surrounding her. Visitor restriction due to COVID-19 has limited the amount of family that can be present for the end of life. The daughters were able to arrange for additional family members to come to the hospital and Lauryn arranged for the patient to be brought out to the healing garden with her vasopressors running while support was given by respiratory therapists.
When finally outside, we stopped respiratory support and turned off the vasopressors so she could pass with her family around her. It was a very touching, moving moment after watching this patient suffer for quite some time. The fact that Lauryn was able to think of something as special as that was impressive. She executed it tactfully and made the best out of a family's nightmare.