Verdi 4 North Interdisciplinary Team at Yale New Haven Hospital
January 2025
Verdi 4 North Interdisciplinary Team
at Yale New Haven Hospital
Yale New Haven Hospital - SRC Campus
New Haven
,
CT
United States
Baldwin, Travis, RN
Barno, Ruhona, PCA
Burroughs, Pat, PCA
Camarillo, Bryan, RN
Capanzana, Raniel, PCA
Cauthen, Kiki-Lei, PCA
Cordero, Patricia, PCA
Cruz, Mylena, RN
Currie, Karina, RN
D'Amico, Jenna, RN
Drennan, Jamie, BA
Edmondson, June, PCA
Estrada Calderon, Glenda, PCA
Figueroa, Indira, RN
Ganzle, Seneilya, APSM
Guest, Adriana, PCA
Hemmings, Anecia, RN
Hernandez Paredes, Daniel, PCA
Hernandez, Morgan, RN
Kosuda, Dina, RN
Lauri, Sarah, RN
Lincoln, Jillian, RN
Lombardi, Joseph, RN
Mars, Alex, RN
Mazyck, Tahjai, BA
Morales, Lizbeth, PCA
Munoz, Kimberly, RN
Nichols, Lindsay, RN
Nixon, Katie, RN
Parikh, Monique, RN
Perez Guerra, Stephani, RN
Pettway, Tamika, PCA
Quick-Kwadijk, Krystina, PCA
Reilly, Bria, RN
Sandfort, Ashley, RN
Sanzo, Joseph, RN
Strilkauskas, Sarah, RN
Taylor, Qwanisha, PCA
Vitello, Renee, BA
Wasikowski, Edward, RN
Watson, Tashawn, PCA
Webb, Megan, PSM
Xicohtencatl, Betty, PCA
Youre, Joseph, RN
Schario, Kimberly, Case Manager
Kolb, Luis, MD
Rubio, Daniel, MD
Spadaccino, Brooke, VP Ortho
Bartholomay, Hilary, NP
Cooke, Deborah, PA
Gargano, David, PA
Mastilovic, Stefan, Spiritual Care
Barnett, Michael, PT
Brown, Carmen, SW
Kelly, Tara, OT
Brennan, Donna, Clinical Instructor
Barno, Ruhona, PCA
Burroughs, Pat, PCA
Camarillo, Bryan, RN
Capanzana, Raniel, PCA
Cauthen, Kiki-Lei, PCA
Cordero, Patricia, PCA
Cruz, Mylena, RN
Currie, Karina, RN
D'Amico, Jenna, RN
Drennan, Jamie, BA
Edmondson, June, PCA
Estrada Calderon, Glenda, PCA
Figueroa, Indira, RN
Ganzle, Seneilya, APSM
Guest, Adriana, PCA
Hemmings, Anecia, RN
Hernandez Paredes, Daniel, PCA
Hernandez, Morgan, RN
Kosuda, Dina, RN
Lauri, Sarah, RN
Lincoln, Jillian, RN
Lombardi, Joseph, RN
Mars, Alex, RN
Mazyck, Tahjai, BA
Morales, Lizbeth, PCA
Munoz, Kimberly, RN
Nichols, Lindsay, RN
Nixon, Katie, RN
Parikh, Monique, RN
Perez Guerra, Stephani, RN
Pettway, Tamika, PCA
Quick-Kwadijk, Krystina, PCA
Reilly, Bria, RN
Sandfort, Ashley, RN
Sanzo, Joseph, RN
Strilkauskas, Sarah, RN
Taylor, Qwanisha, PCA
Vitello, Renee, BA
Wasikowski, Edward, RN
Watson, Tashawn, PCA
Webb, Megan, PSM
Xicohtencatl, Betty, PCA
Youre, Joseph, RN
Schario, Kimberly, Case Manager
Kolb, Luis, MD
Rubio, Daniel, MD
Spadaccino, Brooke, VP Ortho
Bartholomay, Hilary, NP
Cooke, Deborah, PA
Gargano, David, PA
Mastilovic, Stefan, Spiritual Care
Barnett, Michael, PT
Brown, Carmen, SW
Kelly, Tara, OT
Brennan, Donna, Clinical Instructor
Role Model Compassionate Care:
On a surgical unit, it is not often that patients are with us for more than a few days, never mind 2.5 years. But that is what happened on Verdi 4 North. L.P., affectionately known as “Chicken Wing,” came to V4N as a transfer from Bridgeport Hospital, requiring surgery of his spine for unstable neck fractures. His prolonged stay was prompted by his social situation… without a home or someone to help care for him, a prior criminal past that deterred outside facilities from accepting him, and psychiatric barriers. The first hurdle the team on Verdi 4 North had to conquer was developing and gaining trust from the patient with the healthcare system. At the beginning of his stay, L.P. required a lot of physical assistance but would often refuse help or care. His behaviors would often escalate to the need for security assistance and extra time for staff support. The nursing and PCA staff on the unit had the difficult task of de-escalating each outburst or threat to leave against medical advice, most often on the evening/night shift. Their patience and perseverance in keeping the patient safe, even when he couldn’t see the impact of his decisions, was nothing but admirable.
As the weeks and months went on, L.P. began to find more trust in the people taking care of him. One outlet that was of relief to him was visiting the hospital’s chapel twice a week for mass with the chaplain. Like clockwork, Stephen would come up to the unit and wheel him down for mass. The patient was very appreciative of the time he dedicated to him.
Special Connection:
Many different staff during this patient’s stay would make special connections with this patient. Mike, from the physical therapy department, gained the trust of the patient early on. He was able to address not only his physical needs and make steady improvements, but he was also looked to as a role model and someone he could talk to socially. Donna, a Gateway nursing instructor, who often has clinical groups based on V4N would take the time to have the patient’s laundry done outside of the hospital. Clothes were a prized possession of L.P., especially his sneaker collection so this was of utmost importance to him. While admitted, L.P. found another outlet in drawing and painting. With donated supplies from multiple people, he would spend his days here hard at work. This helped not only his mental health, but also provided physical therapy within his limitations. He would often give his art to members of the staff as a token of appreciation. As time went on, many individuals would go out of their way to spread a little joy. On holidays or special occasions, they would often bring him treats or his beloved Monster energy drinks. One brought him a small artificial Christmas tree to decorate. On one of his last days with us, our BA brought him in storage bins and helped pack his belongings for him.
Significant Difference:
It became apparent that L.P. was going to require complex long term care planning. Additionally, L.P. would make poor decisions that would affect him financially. Without family support, while admitted on V4N, a conservator was appointed for him by the court to make decisions and handle his finances. With the conservator in place, the long process for Money Follows the Person was started. The care management department and social work department worked tirelessly on this complicated case. After a significant amount of time, L.P. was found a new apartment to live in and was established with personal aides and home nursing support to help him in the community. Additionally, the medical team helped facilitate new outside providers so that the patient can continue his ongoing medical care. This included a new primary care provider, of which came in person to perform an intake while still admitted, psychiatric follow-up, and continuing addiction medicine services to maintain the patient’s sobriety.
There were many lessons learned during L.P.’s stay on Verdi 4 North, most of which were uncharted waters for many staff who don’t often see long-term or complex patient care planning. The interdisciplinary team that took care of L.P. deserves acknowledgement for their dedication to improve the outcome of someone who came into our system in a difficult spot. I am very proud of them, something that can’t be said enough.
On a surgical unit, it is not often that patients are with us for more than a few days, never mind 2.5 years. But that is what happened on Verdi 4 North. L.P., affectionately known as “Chicken Wing,” came to V4N as a transfer from Bridgeport Hospital, requiring surgery of his spine for unstable neck fractures. His prolonged stay was prompted by his social situation… without a home or someone to help care for him, a prior criminal past that deterred outside facilities from accepting him, and psychiatric barriers. The first hurdle the team on Verdi 4 North had to conquer was developing and gaining trust from the patient with the healthcare system. At the beginning of his stay, L.P. required a lot of physical assistance but would often refuse help or care. His behaviors would often escalate to the need for security assistance and extra time for staff support. The nursing and PCA staff on the unit had the difficult task of de-escalating each outburst or threat to leave against medical advice, most often on the evening/night shift. Their patience and perseverance in keeping the patient safe, even when he couldn’t see the impact of his decisions, was nothing but admirable.
As the weeks and months went on, L.P. began to find more trust in the people taking care of him. One outlet that was of relief to him was visiting the hospital’s chapel twice a week for mass with the chaplain. Like clockwork, Stephen would come up to the unit and wheel him down for mass. The patient was very appreciative of the time he dedicated to him.
Special Connection:
Many different staff during this patient’s stay would make special connections with this patient. Mike, from the physical therapy department, gained the trust of the patient early on. He was able to address not only his physical needs and make steady improvements, but he was also looked to as a role model and someone he could talk to socially. Donna, a Gateway nursing instructor, who often has clinical groups based on V4N would take the time to have the patient’s laundry done outside of the hospital. Clothes were a prized possession of L.P., especially his sneaker collection so this was of utmost importance to him. While admitted, L.P. found another outlet in drawing and painting. With donated supplies from multiple people, he would spend his days here hard at work. This helped not only his mental health, but also provided physical therapy within his limitations. He would often give his art to members of the staff as a token of appreciation. As time went on, many individuals would go out of their way to spread a little joy. On holidays or special occasions, they would often bring him treats or his beloved Monster energy drinks. One brought him a small artificial Christmas tree to decorate. On one of his last days with us, our BA brought him in storage bins and helped pack his belongings for him.
Significant Difference:
It became apparent that L.P. was going to require complex long term care planning. Additionally, L.P. would make poor decisions that would affect him financially. Without family support, while admitted on V4N, a conservator was appointed for him by the court to make decisions and handle his finances. With the conservator in place, the long process for Money Follows the Person was started. The care management department and social work department worked tirelessly on this complicated case. After a significant amount of time, L.P. was found a new apartment to live in and was established with personal aides and home nursing support to help him in the community. Additionally, the medical team helped facilitate new outside providers so that the patient can continue his ongoing medical care. This included a new primary care provider, of which came in person to perform an intake while still admitted, psychiatric follow-up, and continuing addiction medicine services to maintain the patient’s sobriety.
There were many lessons learned during L.P.’s stay on Verdi 4 North, most of which were uncharted waters for many staff who don’t often see long-term or complex patient care planning. The interdisciplinary team that took care of L.P. deserves acknowledgement for their dedication to improve the outcome of someone who came into our system in a difficult spot. I am very proud of them, something that can’t be said enough.