Maricon went above and beyond to help her patient and his family with end-of-life decisions. The patient was from another country and came here for treatment. Unfortunately, he tested positive for COVID on admit. He required intubation and was able to be extubated. He was in respiratory distress and did not want to be intubated. His wife was trying to get here to see him from another country. The patient's cousin persuaded him to be intubated so his wife could get here to see him and say goodbye. The patient was intubated, sedated, and on pressors for vital signs. He appeared uncomfortable, his cousin visited daily. His wife finally made it here to see him on Christmas Eve. She was not ready to say goodbye. She and the children visited each day as the patient struggled. Maricon bonded with them and took excellent care of the patient. When the physicians explained that there was nothing they could do to help the patient get better and discussed comfort care and extubation the family was still not ready.
A family conference was set up and the cousin was also present. They asked Maricon to come to the meeting. She attended, answered all their questions, and assisted them in making an informed decision. They were concerned about his mouth being kept closed after his death. In their faith, if the mouth is open, spirits can get in and steal his soul. Maricon reached out to the funeral home and they agreed to meet the patient's and family's needs. She reassured them she would make sure his mouth would stay closed so the spirits would not steal his soul. The cousin told her that she got through to the family and they trusted her and decided to withdraw life support. She gave them privacy but stayed close and supportive. The patient passed very quickly. She removed the white cloth-like portion to go under the chin and around the head that supported to keep the mouth closed. The family was able to leave their husband, father, and cousin with Maricon to take care of until the funeral home picked the body up and keep the spirits out while he traveled the long journey home to his country and final resting place.
Her efforts allowed the patient to die with dignity off the ventilator he did not want to be on and meet the needs of his grieving family at the same time. She showed she cared and what they needed was important. Maricon is an excellent nurse with a big heart and an asset to nursing at Ochsner and the patients she cares for.