Witnessing Steve's caring approach towards his patients tugs at my heart. This is just one example of the kind of nurse that Steve Hammons is. He has a calming and soothing demeanor that fosters a sense of safety and peace for his patients. Creating this kind of atmosphere is no small feat in the MICU! Ours tends to be an intense environment, particularly for patients and families new to inpatient hospitalization and admission to the critical care realm. Aside from the severity of the patient's illness, there are sights and sounds and equipment that is truly intimidating to patient and family alike. A nurse who is able to balance nursing as an art, with astute clinical and critical thinking skills is truly an asset.
Recently, Steve cared for a patient who was facing significant changes in his health, which included worsening breathing difficulties, irregular heart rhythms, weakness, and infection. This patient had come to our facility for a second opinion, after being hospitalized at two other facilities. His world and that of his family was turned upside down with new diagnoses and new treatments, as well as multiple diagnostic tests. The patient had challenging complications, limiting his mobility, decreasing his tolerance for activity, and causing him to experience panic and the fear that "something bad" would happen.
To assuage the fears of his patient, Steve stayed with him throughout the night. As the patient shared with me, "he (Steve) made me feel safe…he sat right there in that chair and watched me…and I could relax". Steve explained the care that he administered, answered any questions that the patient or family asked, and kept his promise to be present for them. During the nights that he was responsible for this patient, Steve made sure to reinforce that he was closely monitoring the patient. When the patient started to feel panicked, Steve was able to calm him. I witnessed Steve standing outside of the room, where the patient could see him, while the physician assessed the patient.
The patient expressed deep gratitude for Steve's compassion, encouragement, and care. His daughter shared this gratitude. He went on to tell me that just seeing her dad bathed, with his face shaved and his hair washed and combed, when she came to visit in the morning, made her feel that Steve really cared for him. This is the standard of care that he delivers to each of his patients and their families. He reminds us that caring for our patient population goes beyond procedures and tasks and documentation, that it encompasses compassion and kindness and heart.