Tonight I was asked to consult on a MICU patient with a massive GI bleed and in hemorrhagic shock for my surgical opinion.It was immediately apparent to me that this patient was not going to survive with or without surgical intervention, and the decision was made to transition to comfort care after the MICU team discussed the situation with family by phone.
The MICU doctor got called away to tend to another patient, so I oversaw the comfort care transition and extubation.Tyler was the patient's nurse.The patient did not pass immediately because he was on high doses of pressors and his blood oxygen level was very high.
While everyone else left the room to tend to other things and begin cleaning up, Tyler completed his immediate charting duties and then pulled up a chair and sat with the patient, holding his hand until he passed.The patient had no family available in town, and out of an act of sheer humanity and compassion, Tyler stayed with his patient until the very end.He had a nursing student with him who was able to witness and learn from this excellent example of patient care.
I was very impressed by Tyler going the extra mile with no prodding or suggestion.He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do.I just wanted to take a moment to formally recognize this sort of commitment to our patients in good times and bad.