September 2013
Roshni
Patel
,
BSN, RN
General Medicine
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Park Ridge
,
IL
United States
...He was admitted to 14W for a nursing home placement. He was a down syndrome patient, and up until this point he remained under the care of his brother, who unfortunately was unable to continue to provide this care for him. His parents passed away and he presented himself as a very sad and lonely young man. It took time to attach to others and it was hard for him to let that someone go. He was afraid the person he got attached to will leave just like his parents left.
As a patient on the unit - he became attached to many staff members and he would follow those staff members around the unit happy to find a friendly soul. Even though the whole unit did an outstanding job responding to Scott, and ensuring he is well taken care of physically and emotionally - Roshni really stood out. At the end of one of her shifts when he learned she was leaving - he threw a temper tantrum the unit had not seen before. He cried, sat on a floor holding Roshni's leg, and he begged her not to leave him. He was miserable, scared, and he panicked thinking he will be alone. Staff was unable to console him; his cry was unstoppable and high pitched. Roshni attempted to manage staff for the next shift but she was unsuccessful. After finishing her work Roshni punched out and she made a promise she would stay with him.
She took the time with him to walk around the hallways holding hands, she spent time in a room consoling him, and slowly they were able to make friends with staff of an oncoming shift. Once he established rapport with the new RN and NCT and after 2 hours past Roshni`s shift had ended - Roshni was able to leave the unit leaving Scott in good hands and with a smile on his face.
The following day Roshni brought a number of toys and craft supplies for the unit to use for future patients similar to her patient, as the unit is lacking an activity cart for patients with special needs. Roshni exemplified true compassion, companionship for the lonely patient, and responsiveness to the unit`s needs for the purpose of individualized patient care. Roshni demonstrated effective relationship building with a special needs patient, she influenced his hospital stay, and she role modeled empathy, kindness, and selflessness for other staff on the unit.
As a patient on the unit - he became attached to many staff members and he would follow those staff members around the unit happy to find a friendly soul. Even though the whole unit did an outstanding job responding to Scott, and ensuring he is well taken care of physically and emotionally - Roshni really stood out. At the end of one of her shifts when he learned she was leaving - he threw a temper tantrum the unit had not seen before. He cried, sat on a floor holding Roshni's leg, and he begged her not to leave him. He was miserable, scared, and he panicked thinking he will be alone. Staff was unable to console him; his cry was unstoppable and high pitched. Roshni attempted to manage staff for the next shift but she was unsuccessful. After finishing her work Roshni punched out and she made a promise she would stay with him.
She took the time with him to walk around the hallways holding hands, she spent time in a room consoling him, and slowly they were able to make friends with staff of an oncoming shift. Once he established rapport with the new RN and NCT and after 2 hours past Roshni`s shift had ended - Roshni was able to leave the unit leaving Scott in good hands and with a smile on his face.
The following day Roshni brought a number of toys and craft supplies for the unit to use for future patients similar to her patient, as the unit is lacking an activity cart for patients with special needs. Roshni exemplified true compassion, companionship for the lonely patient, and responsiveness to the unit`s needs for the purpose of individualized patient care. Roshni demonstrated effective relationship building with a special needs patient, she influenced his hospital stay, and she role modeled empathy, kindness, and selflessness for other staff on the unit.