December 2019
Megan
Gerike
,
RN
Inpatient General Medical Unit
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
Battle Creek
,
MI
United States
As a hospice nurse hospital liaison, I encounter patients in hospitals across the region who are preparing to discharge from inpatient care into hospice care. Part of my role is to assure that the period of transition is as seamless as possible. While working with a patient at BBC in early September there was a particular case that went exceptionally well, mostly due to the hard work from Megan RN. I saw her not only advocate for her patient's pain control but work towards a plan of care that could be continued once discharged with hospice services. I watched her assess the patient and identify individual needs. She obtained comfort through advocating for interventions like specialty tube placement, and paracentesis just prior to discharge. She worked to ensure the patient has as much comfort as possible in her final days. I have a passion for hospice care, but understand hospice along with the associated thought processes and focus is not for everybody. I was thankful for and very impressed with Megan's ability to direct this patient's care in such a collaborative manner to align with the hospice philosophy. She is inspiring and deserves recognition for her work.