Dealing with something very stressful as heart problems can be devastating. From the minute my husband arrived on the PCU floor his care has been exceptional. Holly has been very caring, understanding, and informative on what we can expect. We have truly had the best experience.
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Holly and I shared a patient together. Early this morning she noted changes in the patient's status and summarized the patient's condition in a way that honed in on the important changes. It was clear the patient had a poor prognosis with a likely rapid decline to follow. Holly's early action allowed time for me to assess the patient and discuss via phone with the family the change and prognosis. The daughters made the patient DNR, DNI at that time, and started driving to the hospital. This gave me time to take appropriate steps for treatment, move the patient to ICU and discuss with subspecialties. The patient's family shared with me how much they have been through and the overall decline of the patient. A short time later the patient died with her daughters at the bedside. When I reflect upon the patient's journey today, the important turning point was Holly's recognition and reporting of a change in clinical status. It allowed the patient's daughters to have time to be present with their mom, to move through those decisions, and for the patient to pass quietly and peacefully with her daughters beside her.