I recently witnessed a demonstration of excellence in care with a pediatric patient and OR nurse, Heidi Tigges.
It was dental day in the OR. The first scheduled patient was a 4 year old autistic child. He was extremely anxious, crying, restless and clinging to his parents. He refused to get on the OR cart and it seemed unsafe to carry him due to his uncooperative behavior.
Heidi started singing to the patient, rubbing his head and gave him her undivided attention. He stopped crying and was listening to her, somewhat mesmerized. She picked him up and lay right on the patient cart with him. The second OR nurse pushed the cart directly into the OR with Heidi singing and the pediatric patient listening to her very calmly, both on the cart together!
The parents were smiling and very appreciative with the transfer of their son to the OR feeling very confident he was being taken good care of.