Natalie Root
November 2020
Natalie
Root
,
MSN, BSN, RN, CNS-BC, CEN, CPEN
Emergency Department
MARY WASHINGTON HEALTHCARE (VA)
Fredericksburg
,
VA
Natalie was able to comfort the young patient’s grieving mother
Natalie Root responded to assist with a young patient who was in a traumatic arrest from a motor vehicle crash. She assisted the trauma surgeons in giving exceptional care to this young patient who was resuscitated multiple times, only to later succumb to their injuries.
During one of the brief times that the young patient had regained a heartbeat, Natalie went out to meet with the family to give them an update. Her initial meeting with them was instrumental in their ability to be in the room for parts of the resuscitation efforts. When it was decided that further attempts a resuscitation was futile, Natalie accompanied the trauma surgeon to explain to the family that there was no more that could be done and that the young patient had suffered a non-survivable injury.
When the young patient's parents entered the room, Natalie held the mother and introduced the staff to the young patient. Up until this point, we had not known the young patient's name. Natalie was incredible in the way she was able to speak to the parents of this young patient. She explained all that we had done, all while never losing physical contact with the mother. Natalie was able to comfort the young patient's grieving mother in a way the rest of us in the room could not. When the young patient finally passed, Natalie immediately was able to pray with this mother as if it was her own child. I do not believe there was a dry eye in the room except for Natalie showing unbelievable strength and compassion for this family. Natalie did this with no hesitation, it was very instinctive and genuine. Natalie was able to get this mother through what was probably the absolute worst moment of her life. I have never witnessed something so compassionate.
After there was no more for the staff to do in the room, Natalie remained in the room with the family until their pastor arrived and prayed with them and stayed until it was finally time for them to leave their child behind.
***
At a different time, Natalie was involved with the direct care of a trauma patient. Throughout the trauma resuscitation, Natalie showed leadership, knowledge, and was an active participant in the patient care. Unfortunately, there was not a good outcome for the patient. At this time, Natalie went above and beyond and comforted the family. Natalie walked side by side with the family into the room. Natalie held her arms around the patient's mother talking to her the whole time. Natalie explained to the mother everything that was going on. Natalie showed the most compassion and empathy towards a patient and family that I've ever witnessed. Natalie had spoken with the family before they entered the room and learned about the patient. While the family was grieving at the bedside, Natalie was right there with her arm around the mother. Natalie continued to speak positive things about the patient at the bedside. What Natalie did also allowed all of her coworkers to know who the patient was and allowed them to cope with the tragedy.
During one of the brief times that the young patient had regained a heartbeat, Natalie went out to meet with the family to give them an update. Her initial meeting with them was instrumental in their ability to be in the room for parts of the resuscitation efforts. When it was decided that further attempts a resuscitation was futile, Natalie accompanied the trauma surgeon to explain to the family that there was no more that could be done and that the young patient had suffered a non-survivable injury.
When the young patient's parents entered the room, Natalie held the mother and introduced the staff to the young patient. Up until this point, we had not known the young patient's name. Natalie was incredible in the way she was able to speak to the parents of this young patient. She explained all that we had done, all while never losing physical contact with the mother. Natalie was able to comfort the young patient's grieving mother in a way the rest of us in the room could not. When the young patient finally passed, Natalie immediately was able to pray with this mother as if it was her own child. I do not believe there was a dry eye in the room except for Natalie showing unbelievable strength and compassion for this family. Natalie did this with no hesitation, it was very instinctive and genuine. Natalie was able to get this mother through what was probably the absolute worst moment of her life. I have never witnessed something so compassionate.
After there was no more for the staff to do in the room, Natalie remained in the room with the family until their pastor arrived and prayed with them and stayed until it was finally time for them to leave their child behind.
***
At a different time, Natalie was involved with the direct care of a trauma patient. Throughout the trauma resuscitation, Natalie showed leadership, knowledge, and was an active participant in the patient care. Unfortunately, there was not a good outcome for the patient. At this time, Natalie went above and beyond and comforted the family. Natalie walked side by side with the family into the room. Natalie held her arms around the patient's mother talking to her the whole time. Natalie explained to the mother everything that was going on. Natalie showed the most compassion and empathy towards a patient and family that I've ever witnessed. Natalie had spoken with the family before they entered the room and learned about the patient. While the family was grieving at the bedside, Natalie was right there with her arm around the mother. Natalie continued to speak positive things about the patient at the bedside. What Natalie did also allowed all of her coworkers to know who the patient was and allowed them to cope with the tragedy.