There was a nurse caring for a patient that came to Endo for an upper endoscopy with a feeding tube placement last week. I really did not have more than a minute to say "thank you for helping out,” but what she did was beyond helping out.
Melissa West began her day trying to get signed orders for this patient's pre-antibiotics (which are mandated surgical quality measures). She worked on this for 2-3 hours, due to the multiple road blocks. After finally getting orders, we were able to accept this patient. He was a very sick man who needed a lot of care. I was the lunch relief nurse who took him in to the procedure room to circulate.
Quickly, I was overwhelmed with the surgeons asking for supplies that I did not have, needing to put his first antibiotic on hold, flush the line, and start the second antibiotic, needing to give the insulin per the sliding scale (which I didn't have), get other supplies, document, do the pre-procedure checklist, turn on the scope, etc. I called out of the room for help and for someone to get the needed supplies and insulin. What came next was a total surprise.
Melissa did not just drop off the insulin pen and go. She checked the sliding scale orders, administered the insulin, and then stayed throughout the procedure to help comfort the patient. What a sense of relief it was just to have another person there. I imagined that she must have had a full patient load upstairs and yet somehow she was staying to help out. This act of kindness was truly above and beyond. I want to commend Melissa and thank her again.