Working in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) is challenging and demanding. Despite these challenges, the MICU nursing team (27 Registered Nurses and 5 Nursing Assistants) continues to provide unwavering holistic care to our Veterans in the pursuit of high-quality patient-centered care outcomes while exceeding the ICARE VA core values. Being present, doing for patients and forming a connection embodies the caring profession of the MICU team.
Over the past two and a half years, the team has been committed to providing exceptional care to a Veteran who was admitted for the management of acute respiratory failure after an attempted suicide leading to a vegetative state. The excellent quality of nursing care that the MICU team has provided to the Veteran over the past two and a half years not only can be seen through the absence of hospital-acquired infections (i.e. zero CLABSI, VAE, MRSA, and C. diff acquisitions) and no skin breakdown, but can also be seen daily through their dedication in providing holistic care. On the night shift, he is provided a serenade by one of the nurses who sings to him while performing her daily assessment and always ensures he receives his monthly haircut. In which his family, has said she has a wonderful voice and would hire her to cut their hair if they could. The team also throws him a birthday celebration every year, decorates his room for every holiday, and has created a music playlist with his favorite music that they play for him every day. The Veteran has become an integral part of the team. He is not just a patient, but one of the family.
The MICU team has demonstrated time and time again their commitment to serving our Veterans through the embodiment of the ICARE values.