Nevada Craig
May 2024
Nevada
Craig
,
RN
Cardiovascular/Transplant Unit
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

Nevada went above and beyond to arrange a phone call so that the patient could speak to her husband before his passing.
Nevada Craig recently cared for a patient who underwent surgery for a bilateral lung transplant. The patient's stay was complicated by post-operative delirium, suspicion of a cerebral vascular attach (CVA), and several changes in medication management. During the patient's admission, their husband had also been admitted to the hospital. It was determined that the patient's husband had been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and only had weeks or maybe even days to live. The patient's husband had been designated as her primary care giver for after discharge and had already been educated on how to care for his wife's new lungs. This complicated the patient's discharge further, as the patient did not have anyone to care for her when she was discharged home. As a result of the patient's spouses debilitating health, the patient's children were designated to care for the patient upon discharge and underwent transplant teaching. On day of discharge, the spouse's health declined further, and he was transferred to the ICU. The patient wanted to visit her husband; however her spouse had contracted an infection, and the care team was weary to have her visit him. Instead, Nevada went above and beyond to arrange a phone call so that the patient could speak to her husband. When the patient called, her husband was intubated and was unable to engage in a conversation, however, the patient continued to talk to him so that he would know she was there. This would be the last conversation the patient would have with her spouse before his untimely passing. Nevada continued to stay with her patient and comfort her during this difficult time. The care and compassion that Nevada displayed will never be forgotten by her patient, or their family.