Edward Kao
December 2021
Edward
Kao
,
RN
Medical Oncology -- Acuity Adaptable Unit
Stanford Hospital and Clinics
Palo Alto
,
CA
United States
Edward worked alongside all interdisciplinary colleagues to expedite her discharge home with hospice, in order to spend her final days with her children.
Edward’s approach to nursing goes above and beyond basic patient care and is rooted in constant empathy and compassion. Edward was the primary nurse for a young end-of-life patient with an extended stay related to uncontrolled pain and a complex discharge with home hospice. He advocated for this patient, working with a multitude of resources to formulate a pain regimen that maximized her quality of life for her remaining days. This pain regimen became a barrier to her discharge because hospice agencies were unable to supply the needed quantity.
Edward worked alongside all interdisciplinary colleagues to expedite her discharge home with hospice, in order to spend her final days with her children. For over a week, discharge continued to be delayed. In addition to COVID restrictions, the patient's home was not in close proximity to the hospital, making it difficult for friends and family to be present. The uncertainty of discharge and the inability to be with her children began to take a toll on the patient. Edward took it upon himself to reach out to upper management in hopes he could take the patient and her husband outside once daily to maximize her quality of life while hospitalized.
Through the appropriate resources, Edward was granted permission to take this patient outside each day. His compassionate nature never underestimates the power of caring for the whole person, both physical and emotional. Her face was always lit up as Edward wheeled her back into her hospital room after soaking in the sunshine and fresh air outside. This 30-minute daily gesture that Edward implemented gave this patient the energy and motivation needed to push through and make it to her goal of getting home and seeing her children. Edward anticipated this patient's needs prior to the patient knowing what she may have needed.
The patient ended up discharging after a two-week hospital stay and was able to spend her final days with her children in the comfort of her own home. Edward’s commitment to patient advocacy directly affected the positive outcome of this patient's wishes being granted. The unparalleled empathy Edward embodies continues to amaze his colleagues. Edward is the true spirit of nursing excellence, and any patient would be lucky to have him as their nurse.
Edward worked alongside all interdisciplinary colleagues to expedite her discharge home with hospice, in order to spend her final days with her children. For over a week, discharge continued to be delayed. In addition to COVID restrictions, the patient's home was not in close proximity to the hospital, making it difficult for friends and family to be present. The uncertainty of discharge and the inability to be with her children began to take a toll on the patient. Edward took it upon himself to reach out to upper management in hopes he could take the patient and her husband outside once daily to maximize her quality of life while hospitalized.
Through the appropriate resources, Edward was granted permission to take this patient outside each day. His compassionate nature never underestimates the power of caring for the whole person, both physical and emotional. Her face was always lit up as Edward wheeled her back into her hospital room after soaking in the sunshine and fresh air outside. This 30-minute daily gesture that Edward implemented gave this patient the energy and motivation needed to push through and make it to her goal of getting home and seeing her children. Edward anticipated this patient's needs prior to the patient knowing what she may have needed.
The patient ended up discharging after a two-week hospital stay and was able to spend her final days with her children in the comfort of her own home. Edward’s commitment to patient advocacy directly affected the positive outcome of this patient's wishes being granted. The unparalleled empathy Edward embodies continues to amaze his colleagues. Edward is the true spirit of nursing excellence, and any patient would be lucky to have him as their nurse.