Lindsay Parniawski
May 2022
Lindsay
Parniawski
,
RN
ICU -- General Surgery, Trauma, Surgical Transplant
Stanford Hospital and Clinics
Palo Alto
,
CA
United States
Lindsay arranged to bring the patient to the courtyard to visit with her husband and daughters. This was no ordinary task since this patient was in I.C.U. and Lindsay's experience traveling with critically ill patients made this a possible option.
For this nomination, the story I would like to share is just one of many examples of Lindsay’s Caring H.E.A.R.T. Following a chaotic morning of managing a major trauma with a tragic outcome, another patient requiring multiple cardioversions, bed moves, and assignment changes, Lindsay became involved in a heartbreaking situation.
A patient, a young mother with stage 4 terminal cancer, was excited to see her 3 young daughters in over a month. Her understanding was she could have up to 2 visitors at a time and was unaware that she could not have more than 2 different people visit in 1 day. When her family arrived, they were told that they were not allowed to visit because there were too many people. Since there was 1 adult with the children, there would not be enough adult supervision to allow just 1 child to visit. Lindsay became aware and empathized with how upset the patient had become. She tried to advocate for a visiting exception, but this didn't fit the exception criteria. Lindsay did not give up.
She quickly began to brainstorm ways in which the family could visit safely and within hospital policy. She discussed her plan with the patient's doctors and charge nurse, who gave her their blessings after hearing her detailed plan. Lindsay arranged to bring the patient to the courtyard to visit with her husband and daughters. This was no ordinary task since this patient was in I.C.U. and Lindsay's experience traveling with critically ill patients made this a possible option. She skillfully prepared the patient, making her look presentable for her daughters, consolidating IV pumps, monitoring devices, and proactively planning for any unexpected situations.
When Lindsay and the patient returned to the unit, the patient looked so happy. I caught up with Lindsay in the breakroom shortly after, and she had tears in her eyes. She looked at me and simply said, "Those girls when they saw their mom and hugged her." She wiped her tears and went back out to the unit, helping her colleagues and their patients with that authentic Caring H.E.A.R.T. that she embodies.
A patient, a young mother with stage 4 terminal cancer, was excited to see her 3 young daughters in over a month. Her understanding was she could have up to 2 visitors at a time and was unaware that she could not have more than 2 different people visit in 1 day. When her family arrived, they were told that they were not allowed to visit because there were too many people. Since there was 1 adult with the children, there would not be enough adult supervision to allow just 1 child to visit. Lindsay became aware and empathized with how upset the patient had become. She tried to advocate for a visiting exception, but this didn't fit the exception criteria. Lindsay did not give up.
She quickly began to brainstorm ways in which the family could visit safely and within hospital policy. She discussed her plan with the patient's doctors and charge nurse, who gave her their blessings after hearing her detailed plan. Lindsay arranged to bring the patient to the courtyard to visit with her husband and daughters. This was no ordinary task since this patient was in I.C.U. and Lindsay's experience traveling with critically ill patients made this a possible option. She skillfully prepared the patient, making her look presentable for her daughters, consolidating IV pumps, monitoring devices, and proactively planning for any unexpected situations.
When Lindsay and the patient returned to the unit, the patient looked so happy. I caught up with Lindsay in the breakroom shortly after, and she had tears in her eyes. She looked at me and simply said, "Those girls when they saw their mom and hugged her." She wiped her tears and went back out to the unit, helping her colleagues and their patients with that authentic Caring H.E.A.R.T. that she embodies.