Makenzie Garrison
October 2024
Makenzie
Garrison
,
RN
Emergency Department
Ascension St. Vincent Evansville
Evansville
,
IN
United States
When staff asked Makenzie why she prompted this arrangement, she had a pretty simple answer, "It's what I would want someone to do for me if I were that mom." Though it's a simple answer, it shows how committed Makenzie is to caring for our patients and patient families to the best of her ability.
A tragic motor vehicle accident occurred in Warrick County. Two teenage siblings were involved in the accident. Unfortunately, one sibling passed away on the scene, and the other sibling suffered significant injuries. Our Emergency Department received the patient requiring stabilization and ultimately transferred to Indianapolis for further repair of their injuries.
Makenzie was in charge when the patient arrived at the Emergency Department. She first ensured that the proper resources were available to care for the incoming patient. Many family members of the patient began to arrive at the Emergency Department. Makenzie worked with Security and Pastoral Care to ensure that the family had appropriate resources to comfort and support them as well. The patient's mother was in significant distress as she had been informed of the death of her daughter on the scene, as well as the injuries to her son. Makenzie wanted the patient's mother to be able to see her daughter before she was taken to the coroner's office. Makenzie asked Security to contact the dispatch center to get in touch with the coroner's deputy caring for the deceased daughter. Makenzie was able to get in contact with the coroner's deputy and request that the daughter be transported to the Emergency Department.
Makenzie prepared the Emergency Department SANE exam room for the daughter's body to be placed in and prepared for the mother to spend time with her. This room is designed to be more comfortable than the average Emergency Department room. Because of Makenzie's forward thinking and attentiveness to caring for the entire family in their time of tragedy, the patient's mother was able to see her daughter before needing to leave town to continue being at the bedside for her son's care. This mother had unfortunately also lost her husband in the last year. This family was suffering, and Makenzie was able to relieve at least a portion of the concerns of the patient's mother, who had asked to see her daughter. When staff asked Makenzie why she prompted this arrangement, she had a pretty simple answer, "It's what I would want someone to do for me if I were that mom." Though it's a simple answer, it shows how committed Makenzie is to caring for our patients and patient families to the best of her ability. She equally assures that her staff are cared for and supported each day as well.
I have worked with Makenzie in the ED for 3 years now. She is now our charge nurse and I could not ask for a better leader. She has taken over this role with ease (or at least she makes it look that way). I think I speak for the entire department when I say this. She goes above and beyond not only for all of us who work in the department but also for every patient who comes through this ED. She does everything with a positive attitude - I don't think I have ever seen her upset at work. I hope she knows how valued she is as a charge nurse and a friend.
Makenzie was in charge when the patient arrived at the Emergency Department. She first ensured that the proper resources were available to care for the incoming patient. Many family members of the patient began to arrive at the Emergency Department. Makenzie worked with Security and Pastoral Care to ensure that the family had appropriate resources to comfort and support them as well. The patient's mother was in significant distress as she had been informed of the death of her daughter on the scene, as well as the injuries to her son. Makenzie wanted the patient's mother to be able to see her daughter before she was taken to the coroner's office. Makenzie asked Security to contact the dispatch center to get in touch with the coroner's deputy caring for the deceased daughter. Makenzie was able to get in contact with the coroner's deputy and request that the daughter be transported to the Emergency Department.
Makenzie prepared the Emergency Department SANE exam room for the daughter's body to be placed in and prepared for the mother to spend time with her. This room is designed to be more comfortable than the average Emergency Department room. Because of Makenzie's forward thinking and attentiveness to caring for the entire family in their time of tragedy, the patient's mother was able to see her daughter before needing to leave town to continue being at the bedside for her son's care. This mother had unfortunately also lost her husband in the last year. This family was suffering, and Makenzie was able to relieve at least a portion of the concerns of the patient's mother, who had asked to see her daughter. When staff asked Makenzie why she prompted this arrangement, she had a pretty simple answer, "It's what I would want someone to do for me if I were that mom." Though it's a simple answer, it shows how committed Makenzie is to caring for our patients and patient families to the best of her ability. She equally assures that her staff are cared for and supported each day as well.
I have worked with Makenzie in the ED for 3 years now. She is now our charge nurse and I could not ask for a better leader. She has taken over this role with ease (or at least she makes it look that way). I think I speak for the entire department when I say this. She goes above and beyond not only for all of us who work in the department but also for every patient who comes through this ED. She does everything with a positive attitude - I don't think I have ever seen her upset at work. I hope she knows how valued she is as a charge nurse and a friend.