During a STAT C-section last week, Patti showed exemplary compassion to the mother of the 21 yr. old laboring patient and the entire family. The patient had been laboring normally, when all at once the baby's heart tones plummeted to the 40's (normal is 110-160). While the entire L&D team was preparing the young mother for a STAT C-section and rushing her back to the OR, the patient's mother broke into tears and started shaking. She reported that she herself had lost a baby, as it was stillborn before it could be delivered twenty five years earlier.
Patti took the patient's mother and the remainder of the family to the waiting room, got them drinks, and stayed with them. She then ran back and forth between the waiting room and the OR with status updates as the patient was prepared on the OR table for the c-section. Patti called Pastoral Care, as the outcome was not known, and they may be needed. She stayed with the patient's family until Pastoral care could arrive.
When the baby's heartbeat rose prior to the start of the surgery, she reported this to the family and calmed their fears until the baby was born. She then assisted them to see the baby as soon as possible after birth, making certain that the new grandmother was able to hold her new baby grand-daughter.
Patti is very compassionate and warm with patients. This was not her patient, yet she sprang into action when she saw a need for this family.
The grandmother thanked her over and over for helping her to cope through this crisis. Both Mom and Baby are doing fine and have gone home.
Patti goes above and beyond to care for patients and their families.