Amy took over a patient who had a rare bile duct carcinoma and was going to die. The Emergency Room was full and staff wanted the patient moved upstairs in order to accommodate incoming patients. Amy insisted in not moving the patient at the current time due to the patients pain not being controlled, as well as the wife not being comfortable doing so at the current time. Amy, and the treating physician, Dr. Joan Nagelkirk MD, cried with and comforted this patient. They showed true relationship-based care in how they treated this patient. The wife had to have a difficult discussion with her 33-year-old husband to make a code status decision. The patient decided he did not want any heroic efforts, only pain control. Two days later, the patient passed away at home. He left behind a wife, a 3-year-old child and a 1-year-old child.
Thank you Amy for showing true compassion and empathy to this family.