March 2023
Shannon
Brown
,
RN
Cardiology
Essentia Health West Ambulatory
Fargo
,
ND
United States
Shannon had a standing phone date with the daughter once a week at a scheduled time for many months. The daughter slowly became less anxious and developed a very strong bond and trust with the CHF clinic, especially Shannon.
Working in the CHF clinic, Shannon cares for patients with chronic heart failure, often through the phone. With a chronic disease like CHF, our patients, and their families often have depression and anxiety around their health status. One particular time that stands out is in 2021 when we had a patient who was in end-stage heart failure and the patient's daughter was very anxious about her mother's health status. She would call the clinic multiple times a week with varying concerns and questions and was always very anxious. The daughter and family did not feel ready for hospice yet and really wanted to continue care with the CHF clinic, so we supported their decision. This was during the many waves of COVID and the daughter did not want to bring her mother in for many appointments as she was very weak and high risk. It was eventually decided that a weekly phone call check-in with the daughter was the best way to head off multiple phone calls, monitor the patient safely, and reassure the daughter of her many concerns regarding her mom. Shannon had a standing phone date with the daughter once a week at a scheduled time for many months. The daughter slowly became less anxious and developed a very strong bond and trust with the CHF clinic, especially Shannon. Eventually, the patient went on hospice. Usually, the CHF clinic signs off at that point, however, Shannon had such a strong connection with the daughter that the daughter insisted on still checking in with Shannon. Shannon graciously took a few more phone calls and listened to the daughter's updates and helped her process the progression of her mother's impending death. Shannon helped guide the daughter through their worries along the way. Shannon goes the extra mile for patients and listens to their concerns and cares compassionately for the patients.