Rachel and Vanessa were taking care of a long term ventilated patient who had been in the hospital for two weeks. The patient wanted to go outside, the day was a beautiful, warm spring Sunday. They, Vanessa and Rachel, decided to take that patient outside. They put her in the total lift chair, had Respiratory Care bring a portable ventilator and took the patient outside.
They sat with the patient for 30-45 minutes, which she thoroughly enjoyed! The patient was extubated on Monday, she began having problems breathing on Tuesday. Her family put her DNR and she expired on Wednesday. She had her “5 minutes of wonderful” on Sunday when Vanessa and Rachel were able to meet the patient’s wishes and provide that last trip outside.
These two nurses did this by thinking outside the box and putting the patient first. They truly went above and beyond.