An ICU patient's son, J, stayed with his mom throughout her hospital stay. Her husband was working two jobs with little time to visit or prepare her 10-year-old son to start the 5th grade. The Intensivist alerted Wynne Duong that the boy was not yet registered for the upcoming school year. Wynne spoke with the social worker who told her that the patient needed to go online to register J for school.
Wynne tried to assist in this process but could not because she did not have the student's ID number. Wynne asked J's parents if he had school supplies. His father stated that he would not get paid until the end of the week, so they would have to wait to get supplies.
The next day Wynne went to the store and bought a few notebooks, paper, pens and pencils for J. Several other staff, knowing the needs of the family, started collecting money to help them. J's mother told Wynne that she was very grateful for everything they had done and were doing to take of her son while she wasn't feeling well.
As J had not left his mother's side, the staff was able to arrange for him to shower in the ICU waiting room. The receptionist washed and dried his clothes while he showered. The funds donated by the ICU staff provided 7 sets of new school uniforms, school supplies, and construction paper because he liked to draw. The ICU staff efforts truly demonstrate our MLH Values and culture.