Lauren went beyond the Beaumont's mission statement of providing extraordinary care everyday—she provided nine hours of continuous extraordinary care. Even though her shift was 12 hours, my dad wasn't transferred until sometime after 1, thus the reality that we only received nine hours instead of twelve hours of exceptional care from her.
She had a calming, ever attentive bedside nursing care, whereby she comprehended the magnitude of making a difference in the tricky place of going from medical care to hospice comfort. In this place, she provided a profound presence when needed, and throughout the day provided a quiet provider presence and an anchoring advocate when duty called. Lauren was always one step ahead of the care my dad needed, not an easy thing given I too am a nurse and was our family advocate.
Here are some of the things that have caused me to put aside my grief and busy to-do list today, to thank Lauren, now over 40 days after being honored to have her care for my father during his last week of life.
She understands that treating the patient means caring for the entire family. She did this by compassionately answering every phone call in a calm inviting professional way. Whenever she entered the room she made sure my mother and I were caring for ourselves and she set the tone by offering to fill our cups with juice and water whenever she came in. If she saw me at the Nurses station door, she'd quickly excuse herself and see what I needed. When I was in tears, she'd ask if I was okay and if she could help in any way, understanding and respecting that death ushers in grief. While I was standing in the hall in the midst of a heated conversation with the hospitalist over my father's wishes for hospice, which went against the doctor's interests, I was comforted to look up and see that Lauren had appeared from somewhere, and was quietly listening in on our conversation. She understands the importance of being a person of integrity, a patient advocate and a team member who is all about unity, thus she stood there, quietly listening while making mental notes. Afterward, knowing our request for hospice, which the doctor was not willing to grant at the time, she came and debriefed with me, educating/reminding me that the patient's rights are what comes first and that the best practice responsibility of the health care team is to honor the patient's wishes. As a patient advocate, Lauren apologized that this had not happened in my meeting with the doctor. She went on to honor our wishes for hospice, even though the doctor was resisting our request. She did it by going above the call of duty and getting us transferred to a hospice room (something I didn't even know was available to patients) so we could enjoy the remaining few hours dad had left in a quality of life way. She took into consideration, our every need, having seen the flow of visitors coming into a very crowded room once we, as a family, declared Dad was on hospice. The hospice room also honored my dad's wish of the day to be by a window, which they weren't able to accommodate when he was first transferred to the room.
One day healthcare worker came up to me and said, "Are you A?" After saying yes, she said, "Lauren was in the hospital today for a meeting and wanted to stop by but wasn't able to, however, she sought me out and asked me specifically to greet you, give you a hug and tell you she's thinking of you and your family." Lauren's teammate relayed the hug from Lauren and her own sympathies for my imminent loss. What a comfort that went above the call of duty.
Lauren showed respect for her colleagues, never asking an aide to do something for her that she could do for herself. For example, when Lauren was able she was as willing to retrieve a glass of water or juice for us, which spoke loudly of the dignity with which she treated the aide working with her. There was a unified relationship between the aide and RN, which as an RN myself, I know, the RN is the one that must set the tone.
The excellence that Lauren displayed set a glorious tone for our family and friends to celebrate my dad's 86 years of life in an environment that facilitated saying a relaxed and proper good-bye.
Through the excellence from which Lauren and her colleagues on 2 S.E. delivered care, the values of Beaumont were highlighted to each of our family members and friends. Because of Lauren's excellent care, the sting of death was a little lighter. On behalf of the family and friends of my dad, we want to thank you, Lauren, for being a Registered Nurse who demonstrates your compassion and calling through the excellent delivery of nursing care.