In Ohio, a head-on collision carrying a young family en route to metro Detroit to visit family resulted in a couple critically injured, and tragically, their four-year-old daughter was killed in the crash. The wife recovered and was released. The patient was medically cleared for inpatient rehabilitation, when he was stable enough for transfer he came to our inpatient rehab unit.
Kathy was one of the first nurses to care for him. As a mother and grandmother herself, she was empathetic to his loss. He voiced his request to view his daughter's body. Knowing that this would give him the "closure" he needed, she contacted her manager, made arrangements to transport his daughter's body to the hospital chapel for a private viewing. Kathy often sat in a chair next to his bed, allowing him to vent and grieve the sudden loss of his daughter. The patient shared with Kathy that his anxiety during the viewing may aggravate his cardiac condition. He was determined to view his daughter without meds affecting his cognition. She worked with his doctors to plan medication for him after the viewing knowing how difficult it would be. She felt it was important to accompany the patient and his family to offer support at the viewing.
In January, he was granted a leave from the hospital campus to attend his daughter's funeral. Kathy again cared for the patient prior to him leaving, upon returning, she was told he had had sternal and sharp chest pain during the funeral. Thankfully, all tests were negative and he was given permission to visit with his family for a post-funeral gathering on-site, she assisted him to the atrium, and gave him her extension for him to contact her in case he experienced any chest pain.
The care delivered by Kathy exemplifies Beaumont's patient-family centered approach to care: treating people with respect and dignity, encouraging and supporting participation in care and decision-making, and collaboration among patients, families, and providers in the delivery of care. Kathy extended herself above and beyond, putting her patients and families at the center of all she does, even under the most challenging and heart-wrenching situations. The patient and his family verbalized their appreciation for the compassionate care they received at Beaumont. There is no doubt that Kathy will always be remembered by this patient and his family during this difficult time in their lives.