Christina Malchar
October 2014
Christina
Malchar
,
RN
Surgery
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Fort Worth
,
TX
United States
Two stories were submitted Christina Malchar. Many times it is difficult for our staff to go above and beyond for a patient, as patients are asleep during the majority of their time in surgery. Christina found a way to make a difference as noted in the stories below.
1) Christina entered Pre-Op Holding to check on her next patient. This patient was having surgery related to a cancer diagnosis and was facing months of chemotherapy post-op. The patient commented on Christina's cloth surgical hat and asked where she could purchase some hats, as she was going to lose most of her hair during her chemotherapy appointments. Christina told the patient that several of our staff makes the hats that most of us wear. The conversation then continued on to favorite breakfasts, as neither one at the time had eaten (or could have eaten) breakfast. The patient stated she loved to have fruit, especially cherries, her favorite.
As Christina took care of the patient in surgery, she remembered that she had just purchased a new hat with cherries all over it. She decided that it would make a perfect gift for a patient that really needed something special that day. Later in PACU when the patient was awake, Christina went and presented the hat to the patient. The patient was thrilled and could hardly believe that this nurse could do something so thoughtful for her!
...
2) The second case was a 58 year-old man who was found 'down' at home and brought to the hospital by Care Flight. He was intubated and unresponsive. After much discussion, the family struggled with their decision regarding this type of death and finally agreed to a DCD, as long as all family members could remain with him until he passed. They then accompanied the patient to Pre-Op Holding.
Christina was the circulating nurse on this case and spent a great deal of time explaining to the family that as soon as death occurred, there are only five minutes to get the patient to the OR to ensure viability of his organs for LifeGift. The family appeared to understand, and life-sustaining measures were withdrawn. Immediately upon the patient's death, our Chaplain offered a prayer. Understandably, the daughter became very emotional and was unable to let the OR staff take her father to the OR. The circumstances were equally exhausting to the surgical team. Overcoming her own turmoil in caring for this patient and his family, Christina was able to get the brother to hold his sister and accompany her and the patient to the doorway to surgery so they could have a quick and private goodbye with their Dad.
1) Christina entered Pre-Op Holding to check on her next patient. This patient was having surgery related to a cancer diagnosis and was facing months of chemotherapy post-op. The patient commented on Christina's cloth surgical hat and asked where she could purchase some hats, as she was going to lose most of her hair during her chemotherapy appointments. Christina told the patient that several of our staff makes the hats that most of us wear. The conversation then continued on to favorite breakfasts, as neither one at the time had eaten (or could have eaten) breakfast. The patient stated she loved to have fruit, especially cherries, her favorite.
As Christina took care of the patient in surgery, she remembered that she had just purchased a new hat with cherries all over it. She decided that it would make a perfect gift for a patient that really needed something special that day. Later in PACU when the patient was awake, Christina went and presented the hat to the patient. The patient was thrilled and could hardly believe that this nurse could do something so thoughtful for her!
...
2) The second case was a 58 year-old man who was found 'down' at home and brought to the hospital by Care Flight. He was intubated and unresponsive. After much discussion, the family struggled with their decision regarding this type of death and finally agreed to a DCD, as long as all family members could remain with him until he passed. They then accompanied the patient to Pre-Op Holding.
Christina was the circulating nurse on this case and spent a great deal of time explaining to the family that as soon as death occurred, there are only five minutes to get the patient to the OR to ensure viability of his organs for LifeGift. The family appeared to understand, and life-sustaining measures were withdrawn. Immediately upon the patient's death, our Chaplain offered a prayer. Understandably, the daughter became very emotional and was unable to let the OR staff take her father to the OR. The circumstances were equally exhausting to the surgical team. Overcoming her own turmoil in caring for this patient and his family, Christina was able to get the brother to hold his sister and accompany her and the patient to the doorway to surgery so they could have a quick and private goodbye with their Dad.