Wendy
Jackson
October 2012
Wendy
Jackson
,
ADN
Case Management
Canyon Vista Medical Center
Sierra Vista
,
AZ
United States
I have been an RN for 34 years, and in that time there are few people who I felt have been exceptional in their caring and compassionate attitude toward others. Wendy Jackson is one of those nurses who I feel epitomizes the criteria described in the DAISYAward. I was witness to one occasion where she demonstrated exceptional compassion.
Mrs. K, a 41-year-old homeless woman, had been admitted with ERSD and a NONSTEMI. She had been told by the medical staff that she would die without dialysis, and that she would be on lifelong dialysis if she had a cardiac cath which was recommended. Mrs. K was very resistant to having both, as she was very frightened of being dialysis dependent. Wendy sat at her bedside and explored the reasons for her fear; she spoke to her with kindness and genuine concern. Mrs. K. sensed this, opened up and explained she was fearful because her brother had died shortly after being placed on dialysis. Wendy talked to her about her own personal experience with her family member who had experienced long-term dialysis and survived with a good quality of life. Wendy was able to help Mrs. K. make the life giving decision of dialysis.
Wendy kept the “keep patients first” focus by helping Mrs. K. with her decision and explaining options with and without dialysis. She didn’t just ignore her fear and accept her denial for treatment which would have shortened her life.
She demonstrated “compassionate care” in all ways. She focused on the patient’s fear of the unknown and offered to help her in any way that she could. She didn’t ignore the fact that this patient is homeless and accepted her inevitable fate.
Wendy worked with the attending physician and cardiologist on her case. She explored unanswered questions with them while they were in the room discussing the case so that the patient’s questions were answered in a timely and accurate way.
She “involved the patient” and her husband in the treatment decision by exploring her options. She gave “hope” to this patient and her husband in an otherwise hopeless situation. Wendy provided that “gentle touch” through her words and actions. This patient’s demeanor was transformed from crying, hopeless and distressed into one of real hope for a future and a longer life.
Mrs. K, a 41-year-old homeless woman, had been admitted with ERSD and a NONSTEMI. She had been told by the medical staff that she would die without dialysis, and that she would be on lifelong dialysis if she had a cardiac cath which was recommended. Mrs. K was very resistant to having both, as she was very frightened of being dialysis dependent. Wendy sat at her bedside and explored the reasons for her fear; she spoke to her with kindness and genuine concern. Mrs. K. sensed this, opened up and explained she was fearful because her brother had died shortly after being placed on dialysis. Wendy talked to her about her own personal experience with her family member who had experienced long-term dialysis and survived with a good quality of life. Wendy was able to help Mrs. K. make the life giving decision of dialysis.
Wendy kept the “keep patients first” focus by helping Mrs. K. with her decision and explaining options with and without dialysis. She didn’t just ignore her fear and accept her denial for treatment which would have shortened her life.
She demonstrated “compassionate care” in all ways. She focused on the patient’s fear of the unknown and offered to help her in any way that she could. She didn’t ignore the fact that this patient is homeless and accepted her inevitable fate.
Wendy worked with the attending physician and cardiologist on her case. She explored unanswered questions with them while they were in the room discussing the case so that the patient’s questions were answered in a timely and accurate way.
She “involved the patient” and her husband in the treatment decision by exploring her options. She gave “hope” to this patient and her husband in an otherwise hopeless situation. Wendy provided that “gentle touch” through her words and actions. This patient’s demeanor was transformed from crying, hopeless and distressed into one of real hope for a future and a longer life.