Lisa was caring for a full patient assignment with admissions and discharges. One patient on the unit was disoriented and would scream, grumble, and make other sounds to indicate that she needed something. However, she was unable to communicate this need and would become agitated and aggressive when she was not understood and when she was ignored.
Lisa spent the majority of her shift in and out of this patient's room but went in every time with a smile on her face, asking the patient what was wrong, and staying with her asking 'yes' or 'no' questions to determine the patient's need. Lisa sat with the patient at mealtimes to feed the patient and was seen simply talking to her to the point where the patient grabbed Lisa's hand and started to rub it. The patient was so content with Lisa and seemed at ease when Lisa was in the room. Lisa's empathy and compassion were truly seen in the care of this patient.