January 2023
Paige
LaFountaine
,
BSN, RN
AOD
UPMC Presbyterian
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Paige not only stayed after her shift to provide comfort for these children, she took them to the cafeteria ensuring that they had a meal. She talked with them about school, and interests and distracted them by discussing pets and cats.
At the end of a Sunday daylight shift, Paige was contacted by ED social worker regarding a 62-year-old patient who was post cardiac arrest in our ED. This patient was brought in with EMS with 3 children all under the age of 15. The 15-year-old child called 911 and initiated CPR until the EMS crew arrived. There were no other adults present. This patient was very sick, and he went straight to the cath lab and ICU was planned after the procedure. The ED social worker was concerned with the children. They had no resources to sit with these children or assist with helping them deal with this traumatic event of witnessing their father in full cardiac arrest and CPR. The mother of the children was a few hours out en route from Ohio. Paige reached out to appropriate leadership for guidance about how to navigate this situation. She offered to stay after her shift, with these children, until their mother arrived at the hospital. Paige not only stayed after her shift to provide comfort for these children, she took them to the cafeteria ensuring that they had a meal. She talked with them about school, and interests and distracted them by discussing pets and cats. When the children's mother arrived, Paige offered to take her to the cafeteria and get her a meal before beginning her drive back to Ohio. Paige certainly did more than could have ever been expected to care for these children and their mother during an extremely stressful and traumatic experience. Grateful that Paige was here to provide this emotional support and care to these young kids during such a challenging time. She provided a warm and caring environment in their time of need. This act exemplifies the meaning of DAISY and everything nursing should be. Thank you Paige for your kindness, caring and emotional support for this family.