...The MRI staff had alerted us that they had tried to do an MRI on a particular patient. He was a young man with mental, physical challenges, and no verbal skills. MRI staff wanted us to know we might need extra help to work with the patient. I thanked them for the heads up and shared the information with the pre-op holding manager.

When the patient was actually scheduled, Carol Meyer from surgery came in at 6 am to assist the anesthesiologist during the MRI. The patient's mother, a single parent, had been here at the hospital with him for 3 days since he was an inpatient. Before the MRI was actually done there was discussion about cancelling it. The mother then nearly broke down in tears. She said she had been here with him in the same clothes for 3 days, no shower or change of clothes. She had been told by someone on the nursing floor that they didn't have personal necessities for her to clean up with. Carol immediately made a call to Erin, our secretary, and put a plan in place to help this mother.

The patient had not been registered correctly, so as the delay went on the patient got more and more agitated. Finally, Carol and Dr. J just headed with the patient to MRI. The patient's mother (and Billy, a support tech from pre-op holding) accompanied them to keep the patient on his cart and safe. Erin came to MRI with supplies for the mother to shower with and a change of clothes. She was in tears and thanked them for the helpful and caring gesture.

The mother got her shower and something clean to wear. Her son got to have his MRI. All ended well with cooperation, teamwork and a "patient/family first" attitude. This mother had no support what so ever and was so thankful for this small kindness.