DOU had a patient on the unit over several months. The patient was young but very ill. She underwent multiple surgeries, was trached to the ventilator, on a G-tube with many other lines and tubes. Clinically there were many components to the care of this patient. This was very frightening to the patient and her family, so they too were a challenge to even the most seasoned of nurses.
Charlotte took care of this patient 3 days in a row and her care was stellar! In the 3 days that Charlotte had her, she progressed exponentially. The patient had been on the unit since July. She had been too frightened to attempt trach collars but now (in October) she is sitting on the patio with a Passey Muir valve.
That not only took exceptional nursing skill but also an exceptional person to accomplish that.
Charlotte was able to instill a sense of courage and elicit a hunger to recover from the patient. Just a week later the patient was transferred to the floor to continue her recovery.
Charlotte deserves recognition for her excellent care of this patient and her advocacy for the patient's recovery.