Payton Knewasser
September 2020
Payton
Knewasser
,
BSN, RN
Oncology Unit
Baptist Health Louisville
Louisville
,
KY
United States
I was brought to the emergency room by ambulance for respiratory distress on Friday. I was eventually intubated for an uncontrolled asthma attack and taken to the CCU. I received incredible care from all the nurses and nursing assistants. I was transferred to Park Tower.
My first contact was with Payton. She made a brief introduction and explained she would be right back. A nursing assistant was helping me settle in and making me feel as comfortable as possible. When Payton returned, she began her detailed assessment. We made small talk which eventually led to talking about our dogs. We shared photos and "gotcha" stories. She told me she would be back the next day and to take care, knowing she would see me then.
In a nutshell, my life has been overwhelming, to say the least. My father is in a nursing home and has tested positive for COVID-19. This is my 2nd hospitalization for the very same thing that happened back in February. Payton could tell in our conversations that things in my life were tough right now. She offered encouraging remarks about my health and was very attentive to my emotional distress.
Unbeknownst to me, Payton had contacted someone from Behavioral Health suggesting that I may benefit from talking with someone. A woman came by and made her introduction. We had a very positive conversation. But this is not where Payton's compassion ends. She knew how much my dog means to me and started the process of making it possible for my fur baby to come visit. This is the highest level of knowing your patient and providing love and compassion for a patient. Payton went way above her "normal" patient care and gave me hope and brightness in what I felt was a very dark and bleak time. I just wanted you to know the loving, quality people you have that are the face of Baptist Health.
***
After the patient was discharged, I had the opportunity to speak with the patient via phone. He was still in tears over Payton's kindness. He said Payton exemplified the mission of Baptist Healthcare. The visit from his dog, which Payton made possible, made the biggest, positive difference in his mood and helped his healing.
My first contact was with Payton. She made a brief introduction and explained she would be right back. A nursing assistant was helping me settle in and making me feel as comfortable as possible. When Payton returned, she began her detailed assessment. We made small talk which eventually led to talking about our dogs. We shared photos and "gotcha" stories. She told me she would be back the next day and to take care, knowing she would see me then.
In a nutshell, my life has been overwhelming, to say the least. My father is in a nursing home and has tested positive for COVID-19. This is my 2nd hospitalization for the very same thing that happened back in February. Payton could tell in our conversations that things in my life were tough right now. She offered encouraging remarks about my health and was very attentive to my emotional distress.
Unbeknownst to me, Payton had contacted someone from Behavioral Health suggesting that I may benefit from talking with someone. A woman came by and made her introduction. We had a very positive conversation. But this is not where Payton's compassion ends. She knew how much my dog means to me and started the process of making it possible for my fur baby to come visit. This is the highest level of knowing your patient and providing love and compassion for a patient. Payton went way above her "normal" patient care and gave me hope and brightness in what I felt was a very dark and bleak time. I just wanted you to know the loving, quality people you have that are the face of Baptist Health.
***
After the patient was discharged, I had the opportunity to speak with the patient via phone. He was still in tears over Payton's kindness. He said Payton exemplified the mission of Baptist Healthcare. The visit from his dog, which Payton made possible, made the biggest, positive difference in his mood and helped his healing.