We are all trying to navigate new waters in this COVID era of care. I was asked to help with an unresponsive patient in our MICU on a ventilator with COVID-19. The patient's daughter and son were both immunocompromised so could not come to the hospital. Before having a heart breaking family meeting with the team caring for him, I asked the nurse, Jen, to bring the family into the room virtually, as it so often helps them make better decisions in seeing the reality of their loved one's condition. Jen donned her PPE and carried the family in via iPad. She stood in the corner and prepared them for what they were going to see, then moved right to the patient's face, where they could express their love. She waited patiently, until they had expressed their feelings, gratitude, and love and then "gave them a tour of the room". She explained all the equipment, and concluded the tour with a view out the window which overlooked Carter's mountain, and assured them that he was comfortable and cared for. It made all the difference in the family meeting to follow: they saw the harsh reality, and they were treated with such kindness and caring, resulting in a sacred trust. The family decided to transition off of life support and Jen was then charged to allow another visit to "say their goodbyes". She organized a WebEx visit for 5 family members and included our chaplain who prayed with them all while Jen brought them to the bedside with the iPad. She asked the family how she might be their hands and presence in the room and they asked her to hold his hand. Jen held this gentleman's hand while the ventilator was turned off, and he died shortly thereafter.
There was not a script or precedent for this kind of care. Jen simply acted on instinct and authentic love and caring for her patient and the family. As a palliative care physician for many years, I have shared this space with a lot of families, but I've never been so humbled, so inspired, and so proud than I was standing outside the window, bearing witness to extraordinary care and compassion.