Somy Thomas demonstrates wonderful and incredible compassion for all patients and family-centered care. She works according to CIRCLES of Life.
Compassion: She always shows kindness and empathy for patients and family members and to hear coworkers concerns and voices as well. There was a Korean DNR patient on the floor and this patient was nearing the end of his life, but his primary nurse didn't have many experiences to take care of the terminal patient. When the patient's status was getting worse, family members were very anxious. She communicated with the patient and family verbally and non-verbally with calm manners frequently. She immediately received information about Korean mourning culture. She demonstrated respect to the patient and family members' Korean culture, dignity, privacy, and effectively advocate. When the patient became unconscious, family members didn't know what to do. She kept at the bedside with the patient and family members and let them know how to give the best palliative care for his high quality of death. Somy did her best to minimize the patient pain and discomfort from breathing until the last moment. Since Somy gave delicate palliative care, the Korean family members were able to accept his death. They became calm and mourned in their own cultural way. When everything was done, family members were very relieved by the peaceful death and his last care. Her demonstration was able to stand for Parkland cultural competency based on Compassion.
Integrity: She shows respect to coworkers with trustworthy conversations and empathetic attitude. One time a doctor wrote the order to discharge the patient very late, patient and the family members were upset and frustrated by being delayed in going home due to late discharge. Immediately, she went to the patient room and talked to the patient and family and explained the reason for late discharge. She put patient care first and checked the patient's pain and made follow up appointments before discharge. Finally, they understood, and She escorted the patient with a wheelchair and the patient and family members were discharged safely with satisfaction.
Respect: She treats every patient and coworker fairly and she catches unique values of each person. She tries to listen to and resolve patients' and family members' concerns based on individualization.
Collaboration: Somy keeps focus on the patients, good patient's satisfaction and improve patient's safety.
Leadership: She tries to work together and empower each other to achieve more. She always demonstrates a positive role model through compassion and clinical skills for her patients and coworkers. One patient on the floor had sudden shortness of breath and o2 sat was going down with blood in the Sputum. Although she was not the primary nurse for this patient, she quickly gave the oxygen to the patient and checked vitals sign, and she paged the RAT Nurse, and then Doctors and RT. STAT Labs done and patient transfer to ICU. Her critical thinking and early interventions with coworkers were able to minimize the patient's worsening status, showing proficient leadership.
Excellence: She has good knowledge, judgment and critical thinking and positive attitude require for safe, accountable and effective practice as an RN in her specialty. She can provide high standard services to the patients.
Stewardship: Somy has strong ownership in Parkland. She tries to manage resources responsibly and bring value to patients. She knows how to supervise and manage the floor very well.