May 2022
Caitlyn
Puckett
,
BSN, RN
2 North
Wellstar Douglas Hospital
Douglasville
,
GA
United States
Desperate to find something the patient would take other than ice, this nurse went shopping after her long 12-hour plus shift
On day 7 of admission with COVID Pneumonia, Mr. D had not eaten any food since admission. He complained of weakness and offered little effort with mobility. He was crabby with nurses, MDs, and therapists. Despite nursing, dietician, and MD efforts to improve oral intake, Mr. D appeared to have a Failure to Thrive syndrome, and even told his physical therapist that he thought he was going to die of COVID. Finally, on day 7, a patient-nurse continued to coax and encourage Mr. D to share which foods he liked to eat at home. The patient stated he sometimes ate Campbell’s cream-of-shrimp soup at home for a full day’s intake. Desperate to find something the patient would take other than ice, this nurse went shopping after her long 12-hour plus shift and purchased several cans of the soup. The next day, the patient initially refused, then said he would maybe “try some” for supper. The patient was able to eat the soup and seemed to be touched by the nurse’s care for him. From that day forward, he began to interact positively with the staff and made efforts to perform his own bed exercises per his physical therapist’s instructions. It was as if the caring action of the nurse was the catalyst for a positive turnaround for this patient. The thoughtful actions of this nurse demonstrated compassionate; patient-centered care. Going above and beyond for her patients is what Caitlyn Puckett does every day.