July 2020
Sandy P.
Young
,
RN
Med/Surg
Waterbury Hospital
Waterbury
,
CT
United States
When I arrived a team of staff was working on my brother, the doctor informed me they were trying to stabilize him and would let me in shortly.
The ICU team arrived shortly after and our journey began. My brother was admitted to the ICU that morning. The intensivist explained to us that he was in septic shock, DKA and was requiring maximum support to maintain his blood pressure. She explained he would have a long road ahead of him, some days we would get good news some days we would get bad news. Each morning, before I headed off to work, they took my call, updated me on his condition and plan for the day. We trusted he was receiving the best care possible.
When he was transferred to a medical unit my family and I had mixed emotions, happy he was well enough to leave ICU but worried about the care he would receive, would they watch him as close, treat him as well, etc... he was transferred to the 7th floor where we were greeted by another team of amazing healthcare providers.
Unfortunately, my brother had an arterial nosebleed that could not be controlled, required an emergent trip to the OR and a return to step down area in ICU, where again we were encountered by empathy, kindness and remarkable care. As I went to collect his belongings on the 7th floor, I thanked his nurse for what she had done for him that morning and she said "I'm sorry that your family had to see him like that, I know he has been through a lot already." Her compassion was exactly what I needed at that moment.
After a few days he was transferred to the 9th floor, where he remained for the next 3 weeks. The staff we encountered there were just as incredible. Everyone that entered his room exceeded our expectations. One RN, in particular, became his and my family's go-to person, her name is Sandy. One morning he was very frustrated and called me to say, "I need to get out of this bed, and I can't stand this diarrhea any longer." That morning I called his nurse, Sandy, she listened to everything I said, validated both his and my feelings and concerns, she assured me she would take care of it. That day was the first time in 2 weeks he had been out of bed and also the first time in 2 weeks he did not have diarrhea, thanks to Sandy. She called the doctor, shared our concerns, and was able to get medication ordered to help him with the diarrhea. That day was a turning point for him.
The next occasion occurred just a few days later when he had another nosebleed that quickly became emergent, requiring another trip to the OR. When he was unable to speak with me due to the nosebleed and vomiting, he handed the phone to Sandy who let me know she was prepping him for the OR, that she was with him, and would have someone update me postoperatively. Knowing she was there caring for him reassured me he was in good hands. Later that night when speaking with him, he said "nobody wants to be near you when that kind of bleed happens, but Sandy never left, she stayed by my side until they wheeled me into surgery."
As a Nurse Manager with 30 plus years of experience, I can tell when a nurse is special and places her patients above all else. I knew the first day I spoke with Sandy on the phone that she was a nurse I would be proud to work alongside or have on my team. Her patients are blessed to have her care for them.
Since September my brother has been at Waterbury Hospital more than he has been home. He has been treated by caring, compassionate staff. Some days have been more challenging than others; we have cried, and we have laughed however during this time we all took comfort in knowing he was receiving the best care possible. My family and I are forever grateful for the care he received at Waterbury Hospital.
The ICU team arrived shortly after and our journey began. My brother was admitted to the ICU that morning. The intensivist explained to us that he was in septic shock, DKA and was requiring maximum support to maintain his blood pressure. She explained he would have a long road ahead of him, some days we would get good news some days we would get bad news. Each morning, before I headed off to work, they took my call, updated me on his condition and plan for the day. We trusted he was receiving the best care possible.
When he was transferred to a medical unit my family and I had mixed emotions, happy he was well enough to leave ICU but worried about the care he would receive, would they watch him as close, treat him as well, etc... he was transferred to the 7th floor where we were greeted by another team of amazing healthcare providers.
Unfortunately, my brother had an arterial nosebleed that could not be controlled, required an emergent trip to the OR and a return to step down area in ICU, where again we were encountered by empathy, kindness and remarkable care. As I went to collect his belongings on the 7th floor, I thanked his nurse for what she had done for him that morning and she said "I'm sorry that your family had to see him like that, I know he has been through a lot already." Her compassion was exactly what I needed at that moment.
After a few days he was transferred to the 9th floor, where he remained for the next 3 weeks. The staff we encountered there were just as incredible. Everyone that entered his room exceeded our expectations. One RN, in particular, became his and my family's go-to person, her name is Sandy. One morning he was very frustrated and called me to say, "I need to get out of this bed, and I can't stand this diarrhea any longer." That morning I called his nurse, Sandy, she listened to everything I said, validated both his and my feelings and concerns, she assured me she would take care of it. That day was the first time in 2 weeks he had been out of bed and also the first time in 2 weeks he did not have diarrhea, thanks to Sandy. She called the doctor, shared our concerns, and was able to get medication ordered to help him with the diarrhea. That day was a turning point for him.
The next occasion occurred just a few days later when he had another nosebleed that quickly became emergent, requiring another trip to the OR. When he was unable to speak with me due to the nosebleed and vomiting, he handed the phone to Sandy who let me know she was prepping him for the OR, that she was with him, and would have someone update me postoperatively. Knowing she was there caring for him reassured me he was in good hands. Later that night when speaking with him, he said "nobody wants to be near you when that kind of bleed happens, but Sandy never left, she stayed by my side until they wheeled me into surgery."
As a Nurse Manager with 30 plus years of experience, I can tell when a nurse is special and places her patients above all else. I knew the first day I spoke with Sandy on the phone that she was a nurse I would be proud to work alongside or have on my team. Her patients are blessed to have her care for them.
Since September my brother has been at Waterbury Hospital more than he has been home. He has been treated by caring, compassionate staff. Some days have been more challenging than others; we have cried, and we have laughed however during this time we all took comfort in knowing he was receiving the best care possible. My family and I are forever grateful for the care he received at Waterbury Hospital.