This team made a difference in a family's life recently. Our patient was in the hospital after a severe stroke and this particular Sunday was his 80th birthday. His wife called and was very concerned about her husband. She was not able to come in as she cannot drive "in the city." She actually bought a birthday cake for him, while knowing that she had no way to get here.
The staff went into action. They set up an Uber trip to transport the wife from her home in Oakmont to Presby. They pooled money to make it happen. She was concerned about how she would get home and the staff assured her that they would make sure she got there, one way or another. The lead nurse called the Uber driver directly to explain the situation. He expressed concern as to whether the woman would be able to get in his truck. The staff really didn't know this answer, but they explained the situation and the importance of making it happen.
When the wife arrived, with the cake, all the staff, including the dietary aid, sang 'Happy Birthday' and made a big deal to make this gentleman and his wife feel special.
The wife was driven home by one of the nurses at the end of her shift, who went out of her way to ensure she was safely home.
On a side note, the Uber driver has developed a friendship with this woman and they meet occasionally at a bakery for coffee/dessert.
This is a prime example of what I see so often on this unit, a staff who really cares about patients and goes above the call of duty to ensure that their special needs are cared for. In this particular instance, the kindness went beyond 'just' the patient and impacted several lives for the positive.