... Noah was working as scheduled in the Emergency Department (ED) for a 7a-7p shift. In the late afternoon hours we got a patient in our ED who had suffered a cardiac arrest at home. The EMS crew had successfully resuscitated this woman although she was still critically ill. Her family arrived at the hospital and informed the medical team that the patient had completed paperwork to allow her to be a "Do Not Resuscitate". The family was tearful and expressed their concerns about her loss and managing the patient's wishes. Initially, the patient was being cared for by another ED RN who had volunteered to be part of the Code Blue team for the day. When it became apparent that we were going to begin withdrawal of care, the RN caring for this patient expressed a need to change assignments due to personal reasons. Noah volunteered to take her place. He very quickly handed off his other patients in order to relieve the RN from her duties.

Noah entered the room and introduced himself to the patient and family. By this time multiple people had arrived from this family, including her pastor. Noah discussed with the family what was happening. He administered medications to the patient to keep her very comfortable. Once the official determination and clearance from Donor Alliance were received, the patient was extubated by Respiratory Therapy.

Noah remained in the room with the patient and family - standing at either the bedside, or against the wall - wherever he was needed based on the family's needs. He answered questions, provided emotional support and discussed what was happening. We assumed that the patient would pass away within a few minutes after being extubated, but after an hour she was still hanging on. The family at one time was trying to think of hymns to sing. Noah looked for hymns on the Internet and requested from me some assistance in finding a hymnal or other spiritual music. I asked the Chaplain and we were able to find some music to play in the room. Noah made pots of coffee for the family. At this point there were close to twenty family members in the room, being together, singing and praying, talking to the patient and family. Noah remained in the room, administering medications frequently to ensure the patient was comfortable. He was in-obtrusive but present - they knew he was there if they needed him.

When it came time for Noah's shift to end, he volunteered to remain. He didn't want to hand off this family to an unknown nurse if it could be prevented. At around 9pm Noah asked that the physician request a medical bed for the patient as the patient hadn't passed away yet. Noah noted that the ED was becoming busier and noisier. He became more concerned about the comfort of the patient and family in lieu of the volume and activity in the ED. The patient was assigned a room on the medical floor and Noah moved the patient and her family upstairs. The patient died about an hour and a half after being moved to the medical floor.

Noah was an excellent advocate for this patient and family. He worked hard to do what needed to be done for them and when he realized that the ED could no longer perform the private, comforting environment that the patient needed, he advocated for the patient and family to be moved to a more suitable location. Noah acted in the best interest of the patient and her family.

While this is just one example, Noah gives patients exemplary care each and every day and deserves to be recognized.