Over the past few months, Margo Lang, BSN, RN, OCN has shown incredible creativity when dealing with complex patient issues. To illustrate; a patient with a severe anxiety disorder, who was also homeless and alone, was being discharged from the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU) after a 3 month stay trying to get her leukemia into remission. The patient was on the brink of tears and was being verbally aggressive to all the staff. This was prompted by fear of the unknown more than anything else. Multiple staff members tried to intervene to calm her down. All, including myself, failed. It was Margo who had the insight to see that she was afraid of leaving alone and not being let into the Hope Lodge where some BMTU patients go after discharge. Margo sought my permission to leave the unit to accompany her to the Hope Lodge and help her get settled. Once she conveyed the plan to the patient, she instantly calmed and the transition was made smoother.
On another occasion, an indigent patient who is frequently readmitted due to lack of care was being discharged after receiving extensive care and rehabilitation here for the third time. Margo set up a call list with staff agreeing to call the patient once every day. Her hope was that the frequent contact and reassurance from our staff may help prevent his non-compliance and subsequent readmissions.
Finally, it was Margo who led the initiative to organize a wedding to fulfill the dying wish of a young mother and patient. Within two hours, the patient had a cake, a dress, decorations, a service and music. She was able to have a service before her death a few days later.
Margo goes the extra mile for her patients by trying to individualize and intuit their unique needs. I am really proud of her efforts. She makes things special for BMTU patients.