Matt Crockett
June 2025
Matt
Crockett
,
RN
Nursing Float Pool SGF
Cox Health - Cox Medical Centers - Cox South
Springfield
,
MO
United States
We had spent all night supporting the family, but Matt was able to connect with them in a way that allowed them to make such a difficult decision.
While working in the ICU, Matt was a huge asset to Barton County. He was a resource for multiple nurses during a patient’s intubation and guided them through initiating and titrating vasopressors, as well as a physician during RSI and post-intubation. Matt was so professional while handling a delicate and stressful situation. Not only was he a huge asset to his Barton County co-workers, but he was also a wonderful advocate for the patients they were treating.
***
We had a patient in NTICU who had been here for a few weeks, who, despite all efforts, was slowly decompensating. The patient’s family was struggling with the situation, still wanting him to be a full code and determined to try everything. The patient did code, we were able to get him back, but we knew he would code again soon.
Matt had been caring for this patient for many days and just came in for his shift shortly after this occurred. The patient’s wife was on the phone with family, trying to make decisions on their loved one’s care. We heard her say, “I just don’t want to give up on him.” We were all devastated for the family and at a loss for words to help them.
Matt stepped over to the patient’s wife, placed his hands on her shoulder, and said, “You would not be giving up on him. You would be changing your goals of care for him. Our goals of care for him would be that he would be comfortable and surrounded by loved ones during his last moments of life.” He continued to talk to the wife and family on the phone. Matt’s compassion allowed them to come to the decision to change the patient’s goals of care to allow him a peaceful passing. Matt spoke with such empathy that it brought tears to my eyes. I think I can speak for the entire room when I say it was beautiful how he handled the situation with such kindness. We had spent all night supporting the family, but Matt was able to connect with them in a way that allowed them to make such a difficult decision.
***
We had a patient in NTICU who had been here for a few weeks, who, despite all efforts, was slowly decompensating. The patient’s family was struggling with the situation, still wanting him to be a full code and determined to try everything. The patient did code, we were able to get him back, but we knew he would code again soon.
Matt had been caring for this patient for many days and just came in for his shift shortly after this occurred. The patient’s wife was on the phone with family, trying to make decisions on their loved one’s care. We heard her say, “I just don’t want to give up on him.” We were all devastated for the family and at a loss for words to help them.
Matt stepped over to the patient’s wife, placed his hands on her shoulder, and said, “You would not be giving up on him. You would be changing your goals of care for him. Our goals of care for him would be that he would be comfortable and surrounded by loved ones during his last moments of life.” He continued to talk to the wife and family on the phone. Matt’s compassion allowed them to come to the decision to change the patient’s goals of care to allow him a peaceful passing. Matt spoke with such empathy that it brought tears to my eyes. I think I can speak for the entire room when I say it was beautiful how he handled the situation with such kindness. We had spent all night supporting the family, but Matt was able to connect with them in a way that allowed them to make such a difficult decision.