(l-r): Balenda Snow, Amy Amado, Ann Margaret St. Clair, Stephen Mucher, Terra Compton, Kim Mueller, Lena Pascual
July 2013
NICU
TEAM at Boise
,
RNs
Boise NICU
St. Luke's Health System-Treasure Valley
Boise
,
ID
United States
The many acts of love and tenderness witnessed in St. Luke's Children's NICU by our staff, remind me why I am glad to be a nurse. This is the story of one dear child's life of several months in our unit. For the purposes of this story I will call him
"El". The love, kindness and compassion shown to El were beyond measure. He was a beautiful child with many complex health issues, he remained critically ill for several months. He had many ups and downs. He had a beautiful spirit that would offer a big smile for his care givers in the midst of his struggles to survive.
His family was unable to be present for the majority of his hospitalization or when his death was imminent. Through a difficult course and without our true awareness, we as colleagues became a family for this very special baby.
El had a very long critical course in the NICU. He was fortunate to have consistency in care givers including Terra Compton as his Respiratory Therapist who was a strong advocate for him throughout his stay and through his death. El knew Terra's face and responded to her voice. Terra reminded everyone who cared for him that he was a person, he didn't choose the life he was living.
El decompensated on a Saturday night and progressed through that Sunday morning. I only saw bits and pieces but will share what I saw. Terra was the RT and Lena Pascual the RN. El's heart rate began to decrease. The medical team of Erik Meyers, MD and LaResa Janousek, NNP were called to the bedside. Kim Mueller, RN stayed late into the morning after night shift to help care for and attempt to stabilize El, and the charge nurses Miranda Tweten and Jen Schow were called to the bedside.
Over the course of the hour El continued to decompensate. Jen Schow described how Terra talked to El throughout the event, offering him comfort and support. She continued to talk to him, tell him he was ok and that they were trying to help him breath. It was decided weeks before this day based on parent's wishes that the staff would continue to provide all lifesaving efforts. The team had agreed to follow NRP guidelines and stop after 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of coding it was time to stop. Terra said "I couldn't get him in my arms fast enough". Terra picked El up out of bed after he had been unable to be held for months, and she held him in her arms as he passed away. She continued to talk to him, rub his head, and give him her love. Dr. Meyers was at the bedside and gave a blessing to El before he passed. El fought a very long and difficult battle and in the end he was surrounded by those that loved and cared for him. Lena knelt by Terra's side during El's death where she spoke softly to him and offered comfort to him.
After he died Lena held him and hugged and kissed him. He had many caregivers that came to be with him. Balenda Snow, RN came in from home, held him, spoke softly to him and grieved over him. Balenda, Kim, Lena and Terra all participated in his final bath finding him nice linens and dressing him. Balenda and Lena held him while the photographer took photos for the family. They worked together and supported each other through a very difficult process. As each of the caregivers came to grieve Lena gave them an opportunity to hold El. Ann Margaret St. Clair, RN came in and held him and loved on him. Lena assured her that he died very peacefully and in loving arms. Janelle Dusky was also one of El's consistent caregivers and in the days prior to his death she was with him talking to him and providing him love.
Connie Hill Bruijn, RN, DCN made special efforts with El. She had a sign at his bedside - " Please remember to smooth my hair, and remind me that I am precious and I am loved Q 1 hour and PRN". She made special efforts to remind all who cared for him to look at the baby and to remember that he was a person. She would talk to him and coo at him.
Megan Hughes was the Patient Care Coordinator that day. Megan had a full plate between phone calls to the family and facilitating all that needed done. She did a great job.
Stephen Mucher was his nurse on nights, this situation made me proud to be a nurse and proud to work with such an amazing group. They showed so much love and compassion not only for this baby, but for each other as well.
The group that cared for him are not only everyday angels but examples to all of us for how to facilitate a dignified and compassionate death.
"El". The love, kindness and compassion shown to El were beyond measure. He was a beautiful child with many complex health issues, he remained critically ill for several months. He had many ups and downs. He had a beautiful spirit that would offer a big smile for his care givers in the midst of his struggles to survive.
His family was unable to be present for the majority of his hospitalization or when his death was imminent. Through a difficult course and without our true awareness, we as colleagues became a family for this very special baby.
El had a very long critical course in the NICU. He was fortunate to have consistency in care givers including Terra Compton as his Respiratory Therapist who was a strong advocate for him throughout his stay and through his death. El knew Terra's face and responded to her voice. Terra reminded everyone who cared for him that he was a person, he didn't choose the life he was living.
El decompensated on a Saturday night and progressed through that Sunday morning. I only saw bits and pieces but will share what I saw. Terra was the RT and Lena Pascual the RN. El's heart rate began to decrease. The medical team of Erik Meyers, MD and LaResa Janousek, NNP were called to the bedside. Kim Mueller, RN stayed late into the morning after night shift to help care for and attempt to stabilize El, and the charge nurses Miranda Tweten and Jen Schow were called to the bedside.
Over the course of the hour El continued to decompensate. Jen Schow described how Terra talked to El throughout the event, offering him comfort and support. She continued to talk to him, tell him he was ok and that they were trying to help him breath. It was decided weeks before this day based on parent's wishes that the staff would continue to provide all lifesaving efforts. The team had agreed to follow NRP guidelines and stop after 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of coding it was time to stop. Terra said "I couldn't get him in my arms fast enough". Terra picked El up out of bed after he had been unable to be held for months, and she held him in her arms as he passed away. She continued to talk to him, rub his head, and give him her love. Dr. Meyers was at the bedside and gave a blessing to El before he passed. El fought a very long and difficult battle and in the end he was surrounded by those that loved and cared for him. Lena knelt by Terra's side during El's death where she spoke softly to him and offered comfort to him.
After he died Lena held him and hugged and kissed him. He had many caregivers that came to be with him. Balenda Snow, RN came in from home, held him, spoke softly to him and grieved over him. Balenda, Kim, Lena and Terra all participated in his final bath finding him nice linens and dressing him. Balenda and Lena held him while the photographer took photos for the family. They worked together and supported each other through a very difficult process. As each of the caregivers came to grieve Lena gave them an opportunity to hold El. Ann Margaret St. Clair, RN came in and held him and loved on him. Lena assured her that he died very peacefully and in loving arms. Janelle Dusky was also one of El's consistent caregivers and in the days prior to his death she was with him talking to him and providing him love.
Connie Hill Bruijn, RN, DCN made special efforts with El. She had a sign at his bedside - " Please remember to smooth my hair, and remind me that I am precious and I am loved Q 1 hour and PRN". She made special efforts to remind all who cared for him to look at the baby and to remember that he was a person. She would talk to him and coo at him.
Megan Hughes was the Patient Care Coordinator that day. Megan had a full plate between phone calls to the family and facilitating all that needed done. She did a great job.
Stephen Mucher was his nurse on nights, this situation made me proud to be a nurse and proud to work with such an amazing group. They showed so much love and compassion not only for this baby, but for each other as well.
The group that cared for him are not only everyday angels but examples to all of us for how to facilitate a dignified and compassionate death.