Sasha Lounmala
September 2020
Sasha
Lounmala
,
MSN, RN
ICU
Robert J Dole VA Medical Center
Wichita
,
KS
United States

 

 

 

W is a patient in special isolation precautions who has been admitted to the ICU for over 2 weeks. During his inpatient stay, he turned 88. Over a long weekend, Sasha cared for him every day. They had a good working relationship, even though W didn't always like doing the things his young nurse asked. Over those 4 days, they became a good team and learned to like each other just a little bit. On Sasha's last working day of the week, Sasha took note that it was W's 88th birthday. Because of COVID and the hospital visitation restrictions, no family or friends would be able to spend time with W. Sasha worked to make up for that. She had a cake make for W and had the entire unit staff, physicians included, stop by together to sing W happy birthday and wish him well on his day. W was provided the entire cake to eat. He had ONE birthday request that he and Sasha had spoken about over the course of the 4 days- one bottle of hot sauce. W was surprised to see that Sasha made sure he had a birthday gift on his day-one bottle of hot sauce. To see not only the patient smile because of the staff coming together for him, but to feel the morale boost in the unit was an honor. I have Sasha to thank for that opportunity. Sasha provides the most compassionate care to our Veteran's and is a true DAISY Nurse.