We received a patient from ICU who was recovering from surgery and was also a post-partum patient. Shelby began assessing the patient and doing her regular transfer admission. As she was speaking to the patient, it was evident that this new mom wanted and needed to see her newborn. The patient was on a PCA pump as she was in a great deal of pain and of course, in order to see her baby, she would have to be taken to the nursery in a wheelchair and accompanied by a nurse. Shelby was more than happy to oblige this; however, she felt the patient would benefit more by being able to hold her baby and visit for as long as she wished. This of course would prove to be difficult as there were other patients under Shelby's care. Shelby then remembered we had the capability on PCU to monitor up to two patients elsewhere in the hospital and asked if this could be done for this patient. After sharing this with the clinical director and then administrative director, arrangements were made to move this patient to 2-South the Mother-Baby unit so she could be with her baby and still be monitored on PCU.
The patient did great, had no problems or dysrhythmias, and was subsequently discharged a few days later. I feel Shelby went above and beyond to treat more than just this patient's immediate medical condition. She saw the patient as a whole person with other real needs and acted on them. She truly made a meaningful difference in this patient's life.