The Critical Care Unit
March 2020
The Critical Care Unit at
Genesis HealthCare System
Critical Care Unit
Genesis HealthCare System
Zanesville
,
OH
United States
Wendy Miller, BSN, RN;
Madison Stones BSN, RN;
Stacey Lacy BSN, RN;
Tisha Babcock MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNL
Madison Stones BSN, RN;
Stacey Lacy BSN, RN;
Tisha Babcock MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNL
At the end of 2018, a few CCU nurses approached the CCU manager to share a video of an honor walk that had been seen on the internet. The nurses asked if we could start the honor walk project here at Genesis. When a family walks behind the bed of their loved one on their way to the operating room for organ donation, it has been stated to be the loneliest walk by the family. An honor walk is when all available hospital staff line the hallways to show appreciation and respect to this patient and their family during the procession to the operating room.
After months of meetings, planning, policy writing, and education we had our first honor walk in December. The patient suffered from a cardiac arrest at home and after days of aggressive care, it was determined she was not going to survive. The family agreed to make this terrible day for them a positive day for others by agreeing to organ donation. The family was asked if we could honor her with an honor walk and they were excited to hear that we could offer this for her. OR time was set for 11 am. After much coordination with CCU staff, an announcement was made inviting all available staff to line the halls of CCU. It was 15 minutes before 11:00 and staff members started pouring into CCU. It did not take long to fill the hallways and we started to line the halls on the 2nd floor towards the operating room. A few minutes after 11, the procession began. The family of the patient was tearful by this experience as well as every staff member witnessing this procession.
After the patient passed away the family returned to the CCU. They were so appreciative of the hard work and coordination to make this honor walk happen for their loved one. They shared that she loved being the center of attention, so this was perfect for her. This procession honored the life of this patient and the respect for her being an organ donor in order to save others. She was able to give both kidneys, her liver, and pancreas for transplant, and her heart and lungs were recovered for research.
This project would not have been possible without the idea and engagement of the CCU staff and the coordination of the organization.
After months of meetings, planning, policy writing, and education we had our first honor walk in December. The patient suffered from a cardiac arrest at home and after days of aggressive care, it was determined she was not going to survive. The family agreed to make this terrible day for them a positive day for others by agreeing to organ donation. The family was asked if we could honor her with an honor walk and they were excited to hear that we could offer this for her. OR time was set for 11 am. After much coordination with CCU staff, an announcement was made inviting all available staff to line the halls of CCU. It was 15 minutes before 11:00 and staff members started pouring into CCU. It did not take long to fill the hallways and we started to line the halls on the 2nd floor towards the operating room. A few minutes after 11, the procession began. The family of the patient was tearful by this experience as well as every staff member witnessing this procession.
After the patient passed away the family returned to the CCU. They were so appreciative of the hard work and coordination to make this honor walk happen for their loved one. They shared that she loved being the center of attention, so this was perfect for her. This procession honored the life of this patient and the respect for her being an organ donor in order to save others. She was able to give both kidneys, her liver, and pancreas for transplant, and her heart and lungs were recovered for research.
This project would not have been possible without the idea and engagement of the CCU staff and the coordination of the organization.