Cathy Schreiber
June 2018
Cathy
Schreiber
,
BSN, RN
Medical-Surgical Telemetry
Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital
You took the time to sit with a patient and to care for her needs while she was actively dying and had no family with her.
Recently, there was a patient on your unit who was in the end stages of life. This woman was a mother, a family member, and someone's friend, yet she was alone during this final stage. When the nurse called the patient's son to inform him that his mother's death was near, he stated, "Let me know when it happens." This statement upset you as well as the nurses who were caring for this patient. They could not bear the thought of someone dying alone.
A little while later, you went to the patient's room and asked a PCNA to help you make the patient more comfortable. You bathed the patient, combed her hair, and provided comfort measures. You stated that this is the type of care you would hope for yourself and your family. You also arranged to have the music therapy harpist play outside the patient's room. As this was occurring, you sat with the patient and held her hand. You were so grateful that when you asked the patient if she could hear the music, the patient nodded her head yes.
You observed that there was now a calm, peacefulness surrounding the patient. You also made sure that Pastoral Care was contacted, and that prayer was provided. Your actions and your belief that "No one should die alone" exemplify our mission values of service, compassion, dignity, and respect. Later, after the patient passed, you implemented The Pause, which is a way to honor a patient after they have died, as well as the caregivers who cared for the patient. During The Pause, the room was filled with staff, all very tearful. The patient was honored, and all staff was relieved that the patient did not die alone. Your kind and compassionate actions helped to provide closure for the staff and are an excellent example of living the Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital mission.
You took the time to sit with a patient and to care for her needs while she was actively dying and had no family with her. You then took time to PAUSE after she passed so that the caregivers could have closure. You are kind, caring, and compassionate. You show compassion in every interaction, with family, patients, and staff.
A little while later, you went to the patient's room and asked a PCNA to help you make the patient more comfortable. You bathed the patient, combed her hair, and provided comfort measures. You stated that this is the type of care you would hope for yourself and your family. You also arranged to have the music therapy harpist play outside the patient's room. As this was occurring, you sat with the patient and held her hand. You were so grateful that when you asked the patient if she could hear the music, the patient nodded her head yes.
You observed that there was now a calm, peacefulness surrounding the patient. You also made sure that Pastoral Care was contacted, and that prayer was provided. Your actions and your belief that "No one should die alone" exemplify our mission values of service, compassion, dignity, and respect. Later, after the patient passed, you implemented The Pause, which is a way to honor a patient after they have died, as well as the caregivers who cared for the patient. During The Pause, the room was filled with staff, all very tearful. The patient was honored, and all staff was relieved that the patient did not die alone. Your kind and compassionate actions helped to provide closure for the staff and are an excellent example of living the Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital mission.
You took the time to sit with a patient and to care for her needs while she was actively dying and had no family with her. You then took time to PAUSE after she passed so that the caregivers could have closure. You are kind, caring, and compassionate. You show compassion in every interaction, with family, patients, and staff.