COVID-19 has created new workflows, changing policies, and growing pains for the Medical ICU. Despite these challenges, Cricketara has remained an exemplary nurse. She initiated a shirt design for the nurses on the MICU. In this manner, she helped unify the team during this crisis. Cricketara's commitment to the unit is displayed by her helping of her peers but also in the patients she is caring for.
During the first few weeks of the pandemic, the MICU was closed to all visitors and families. Even in the setting of withdrawing life support, our patients were not granted visitors. Dying on our unit was difficult for families and medical staff alike. Goodbyes were simple Zoom conference calls between family members and their loved ones. It was absolutely devastating.
This is where the story begins. During one particular shift, Cricketara was assigned to care for an elderly woman. This patient had COVID-19, was in her 90s, intubated, and had been on MICU for a few days. All the nurses knew the patient as "room x". The patient had fine white hair and was of a small frame. This patient's room, room x, was perfectly positioned. The room had large wide windows allowing the afternoon sun to brighten every corner. Enough so Cricketara turned off the room lights and allowed the natural sunlight to flood the room. Nurse#1 was the nurse tasked with caring for the patient on that early afternoon.
In the midst of a busy two ICU patient shift, Cricketara ensured the patient in the room had clean crisp white linens and ensured the room was peaceful and calm. The family had decided to withdraw life support, except that family was not allowed to be present. They had also made the painful decision to not watch on Zoom as the patient was terminally extubated. Cricketara had prepared all morning. The purple comfort sign had been placed on the sliding doors, the curtains had been drawn for privacy, and the rails of the bed had been lowered. Cricketara pulled up a chair and sat alongside the patient. The afternoon sunlight radiated into the room and Cricketara gently clasped the patient's frail hands into her own. Cricketara held the patient's hands gently until the patient took her last breath. Despite the COVID-19 precautions and PPE demands, Cricketara remained at the patient's bedside. Despite the hair bonnet tied around her hair, despite the N-95 accumulating beads of sweat underneath her mask, despite the long yellow isolation gown, despite the googles covering her eyes, and despite the double gloves around her hands, Cricketara remained at room x's bedside.
The compassion, the diligence, the peace, and commitment displayed by Cricketara in that moment encompassed what this whole pandemic entailed for our unit. It was just Cricketara and the patient in those final moments. Cricketara remained by her patient's side and took turns with a fellow nurse in order to be present. The patient passed away, surrounded by the medical staff that worked tirelessly to care for her. She passed away dignified and most importantly, not alone. Cricketara embodied compassion and commitment in those moments. The enhanced precautions did not deter her, she remained steadfast.
Cricketara is the epitome of excellent nurse care; she is constantly tasked with caring for the sickest MICU patients and is a role model on the MICU. She demonstrated extraordinary circumstance, under an extraordinary pandemic. She is to be commended.