August 2015
Denise
Smith
,
RN, WCC
Wound Clinic
McLaren Greater Lansing
Lansing
,
MI
United States
Working in the Wound Center has given me many opportunities to witness many acts of kindness by staff. But this one stands out because sometimes what we take for granted in our daily lives, can mean so much more to others.
Denise Smith always puts patients first. Every year she organizes and provides a holiday cookie table the week before Christmas as a thank you to our patients. She will often get a card or a special treat for a patient when she finds out it's their birthday or other special occasion. So I am used to her doing special things for the patients. But I thought I would share with you what she did for one of our patients yesterday.
S is a patient with bilateral BKAs. She takes the CATA bus every day to get here. She is never late or misses an appointment even though she also has to make it to dialysis 3 times a week before her treatments. She is a very large lady and is confined to a w/c. We use a hoyer lift to transfer her. It is difficult for her to manage her hygiene needs adequately and she frequently battles skin infections. She is often seen wearing the same clothes for many days in a row. Sally mentioned one day to Denise how much she misses taking a shower. Confined to a w/c she can't get through the narrow bathroom door in her house to the shower. She said "spit baths" just aren't the same.
Denise decided to help S get a shower. She found a shower room in the GEMS unit which she could use. After Denise's shift finished she took Sally over in her w/c and used the hoyer to get her on to the shower chair. She washed her hair and let her enjoy the warm shower as long as she wanted. She took her back to the wound center and re-dressed her wounds, and put fresh clean clothes on her. Clothes which Denise had bought for her and that Nurse Lisa had specially sewn to accommodate her bilateral amps.
S was so very appreciative and thanked Denise several times for the wonderful treat of being able to shower! I will never forget the patient's smile and look of gratitude in her eyes. A shower is such a small thing for most of us, but a memorable event for someone who can't. Denise made that patient's day and I will always think of that when I hear "every patient, every time".
Denise Smith always puts patients first. Every year she organizes and provides a holiday cookie table the week before Christmas as a thank you to our patients. She will often get a card or a special treat for a patient when she finds out it's their birthday or other special occasion. So I am used to her doing special things for the patients. But I thought I would share with you what she did for one of our patients yesterday.
S is a patient with bilateral BKAs. She takes the CATA bus every day to get here. She is never late or misses an appointment even though she also has to make it to dialysis 3 times a week before her treatments. She is a very large lady and is confined to a w/c. We use a hoyer lift to transfer her. It is difficult for her to manage her hygiene needs adequately and she frequently battles skin infections. She is often seen wearing the same clothes for many days in a row. Sally mentioned one day to Denise how much she misses taking a shower. Confined to a w/c she can't get through the narrow bathroom door in her house to the shower. She said "spit baths" just aren't the same.
Denise decided to help S get a shower. She found a shower room in the GEMS unit which she could use. After Denise's shift finished she took Sally over in her w/c and used the hoyer to get her on to the shower chair. She washed her hair and let her enjoy the warm shower as long as she wanted. She took her back to the wound center and re-dressed her wounds, and put fresh clean clothes on her. Clothes which Denise had bought for her and that Nurse Lisa had specially sewn to accommodate her bilateral amps.
S was so very appreciative and thanked Denise several times for the wonderful treat of being able to shower! I will never forget the patient's smile and look of gratitude in her eyes. A shower is such a small thing for most of us, but a memorable event for someone who can't. Denise made that patient's day and I will always think of that when I hear "every patient, every time".