My elderly mother was brought in early on Monday with trouble breathing and other issues. When I arrived about half an hour later, I was delighted to see that Zachary was her nurse. We are frequent flyers with my mother in the ER and have been assisted by Zachary several times.
My mother was quite delirious and clearly very anxious. but Zachary was calming, kind, caring, and made her feel much more comfortable. Mother started to have some bigger issues and was not doing well. As a daughter and caregiver, I make hundreds of decisions about mother and her life and know her medical issues extremely well.
However, when the ER doctor brusquely told me that I had to make a quick decision on her immediate course of treatment, I was shocked. I took a deep breath, told him I needed a minute, and went back in with my mother. A different doctor came in and explained my two immediate choices. I said I didn't know what to do, and even though my mother has an Advanced Directive for Health Care in the system at NMH, I was making a tough decision, quickly.
When I made my choice, Zachary let me know that it was a good decision for my mother and gave me comfort. She took a turn for the worse later that day in her room but is now sleeping peacefully and very much improved. On top of everything else, Zachary came in to check on mother tonight when his shift was over. I have been coming here for over forty years, for many different reasons. The birth of my children, surgeries for my family, and ER visits, but I have always known that my biggest reason for being confident here is your terrific staff of nurses and other caregivers.
Zachary Clark is an outstanding asset to your staff, and I only hope that you know that and keep him here so that I and others will benefit from his exceptional care.
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I got a phone call that my mother-in-law was on her way to the Newton ER from Andover Sub-Acute. My stomach dropped because my mother-in-law is a DNR, DNI, and a DNH. When I got to the ER I could hear her screaming her lungs out in pain. She was screaming that she wanted to die from the pain in her left leg and hip. There was no comforting her.
Then Zach and Rebecca came in and despite her screaming and yelling began to treat her, soothe her and comfort her. They never lost a beat, working as a team, trying to comfort mom. The louder she yelled the more comfort they tried to give. Working as a team they were able to get her vitals, a line in, labs were drawn and pain medication in record time. It turned out that mom had managed to dislocate a twenty-five-year-old hip replacement. Zach and Rebecca were in and out checking on mom all morning doing whatever they could for both of us.
I work in the ER so I know how difficult it can be. Because of their compassion and their ability to work as a team, Zach and Rebecca managed to make a very painful and difficult situation so much easier to bear. None of this was due to special treatment because I work here. As I sat I could hear them treating all of their patients with the same kindness and concern.
I am honored, not just to work with these amazing nurses, but to be able to give them recognition.