It is no secret that CTICU and PICU has been caring for the sickest COVID patients in the hospital. We had a very young COVID patient on ECLS in CTICU for nearly 50 days. Unfortunately, there was no more that could be done for a particular patient. The family lived two hours away and their primary language was Spanish. Susie was their nurse near the end of her hospitalization. Because Susie is bilingual she was truly able to help this patient and her family navigate the difficult decision and emotional distress with compassionate withdrawal. Even with the best interpreter, there is no substitute for a primary nurse who speaks a patient's and family's native language. In the end, the patient was very sick on ECMO, CRRT, and many medication infusions. With all of that and all that was going on, Susie was able to provide the type of compassionate care to not only her patient but her family, and that cannot clearly be put into words.

I am so grateful that this patient and her family were with Susie near the end. I am certain, having her there with them, comforted them in a way that was so important in the end. Having her there they did not feel a disconnect and felt cared for on a deep and emotional level. My hope is this family has some solace in knowing that their daughter was truly cared for in the end.