To our family's great fortune, Anna was working and assigned to care for our loved one. With severe injuries, she instinctively knew she was not only for a patient but an entire family. This nurse, hearing the initial report, immediately took the extra steps and phoned me, explaining nurse-to-nurse, the extent of my family member's injuries.
While en route, I received another call from Anna. Knowing my loved one's condition was deteriorating, and that we might not arrive in time, she held the phone while each of us said, perhaps, our final words. At this point, I knew my family member's death was imminent. I cannot express how much those few minutes meant. I, myself, am a DAISY nominated nurse for a CHI facility, and can only hope and pray that I have had the type of impact on my patients and family members as this nurse had on ours.
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One morning we received the telephone call every family fears. A beloved family member sustained a massive injury and was rushed to the hospital. We were lucky that our loved one was under the watchful eye of Anna. Not only was she skilled and knowledgeable, but she also showed extraordinary compassion in providing patient-centered care to our entire family. This nurse took it upon herself to contact family members to be certain we had the information we needed to make the necessary decisions.
While everyone we met during this tragedy was kind and considerate, Anna stood out and was extraordinary in her perceptions, taking small actions that turned out to make a huge difference.