The PCU team assisted a patient's family's desire to honor their dying mother's wishes and follow their traditional ways prior to coming to the USA. The family is from Vietnam, Asia and they are devout Buddhists by religious affiliation.
The patient did make it to the other life the way she wanted it with close relatives at the bedside and her customs and traditions honored and implemented. The family was incredibly grateful for the accommodation that was given at the end their mother's life, the way she wanted it, and with such dignity.
While caring for this patient until her death, the PCU was fully aware and sensitive to the fact that our patient population is diverse and have various cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, customs and family traditions. Providing culturally competent nursing care is vital to the provision of true compassionate care for the patient and their family members and that, by embracing diversity, we are able to holistically care for our patients and give them comfort and dignity even at the end of their life.