One of our patients has been on and off of the ventilator and very ill. This patient was intubated and sedated. Due to the breathing tube and multiple lines, we cannot typically have parents hold their children while they are intubated. Her parents are going through very tough times and had to go home to straighten personal things out, meaning they are unable to come and see their little girl for an extended period of time. Jessica organized for the girl's parents to be able to hold her for the first time in over a month before they had to leave the next day. She worked together with fellow nurses as well as respiratory therapists, receiving permission from her doctors to make this happen. They got to hold their "baby" for the first time in a long time due to her being on the ventilator for so long. Her parents were overjoyed and dad even shed a few tears. I was touched by the love and compassion Jessica showed for not only the parents, but the little girl she had been taking care of, because while mom and dad were holding her, she was calm as ever and soaked up all the love and snuggles she could get.
It was absolutely exceptional service to both the parents and the patient. Jessica made sure every aspect of her health was carefully taken care of and monitored, as she always does, but you could feel the gratitude radiating off of the whole family as they got to spend a couple of hours together, not limited by the crib bars, but in each other's arms. It was a very meaningful moment for the patient's parents and it also benefitted the patient. Way to go, Jess!