Mr. X has been a patient on the unit for over 230 days. The patient is an elderly Korean man with a history of Parkinson disease and dementia. He was originally admitted after suffering a fall. Mr. X now needs to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility for around the clock care and safety concerns. He lacks the mental capacity to understand his health care situation and make health care decisions. He does not have any family to participate in his health care decisions and is going through the process of conservatorship with the state.
Mr. X speaks Korean, has episodes of agitation, is not oriented to time, place or situation and is a wanderer. The staff on Tower 8 have collaborated together and have shown tremendous teamwork and human kindness in taking care of him. Mr. X often needs intense one on one care because he wanders into other patient's rooms and makes attempts to leave the unit. There is an order for a sitter, but a sitter is rarely available to help watch him. All staff on Tower 8 takes responsibility for Mr. X and his safety. Tower 8 staff have developed therapeutic relationships with Mr. X. and are accountable to his plan of care. The staff have communicated with the health care team and developed and implemented an individualized plan of care for Mr. X to provide the highest quality patient centered care. This is an exemplary example of true Primary Nursing at UC Davis Medical Center.
The staff on Tower 8 have also shown cultural sensitivity in their nursing practice with Mr. X. Tower 8 is blessed to have two incredible nurses who speak Korean and have been a tremendous help in providing care to Mr. X. Nurses have brought in home cooked Korean food to help with his nutritional intake. The staff include Mr. X in unit potlucks, at which he thoroughly enjoys the food. Staff have also brought him clothes and eyeglasses to make him feel more comfortable and to help him maintain a sense of independence. Some staff have learned Korean words and placed a sign of common words in his room, as well as utilized the use of Korean interpreters. The staff on Tower 8 have supplied Mr. X with multiple activities to encourage mental and sensory stimulation. We have provided coloring books with crayons and pencils, painting supplies, Korean newspapers, Korean television, puzzles, music and building blocks. Staff also encourage exercise by walking with him multiple times throughout the day. The nurses on Tower 8 have also advocated for him and his safety by providing continuity of care by successfully demonstrating to bed control and supervisors that putting another patient in the room or moving Mr. X to another unit would be unsafe and disrupt a vital component of quality patient care. Tower 8 is a closed unit and that aids in keeping Mr. X from wandering and keeping him safe. Tower 8 staff have showed extraordinary teamwork, compassion and integrity in caring for a difficult patient. The staff have taken a holistic approach in caring for Mr. X to promote comfort and healing.