September 2023
Teagan
Fitzgerald
,
RN
Surgical and Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (SNICU)
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Iowa City
,
IA
United States
Teagan spent extra time with this patient the day before organ donation by putting on a movie, washing and brushing the patient’s hair, and painting her fingernails and toenails.
Teagan was caring for a patient who had been declared and was being worked up for organ donation. The patient did not have family present at the bedside as they had said their goodbyes, as the patient had a prolonged work-up before donation. Teagan spent extra time with this patient the day before organ donation by putting on a movie, washing and brushing the patient’s hair, and painting her fingernails and toenails. She also picked up an extra shift so that the patient was not alone when she went for donation, as the family had expressed concern that the patient would be alone in her last moments. Teagan went above and beyond to support the family’s wishes and to give the patient dignity and compassion in her final days. She is an excellent nurse, and we are lucky to have her work by her side!