Elizabeth Svehla
February 2021
Elizabeth
Svehla
,
RN
Emergency Department
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
Baltimore
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

Elizabeth showed compassionate care for this patient even until her last breath.
We had an EMS consult arrive to the ED; the patient was not alert, had low blood pressure, and low oxygen saturation. The patient was quickly intubated and given fluids. Despite all efforts, the patient was slowly degenerating. Family was called to help the patient transition peacefully and pain-free. I noticed that a family member or two were allowed to come back to say goodbye. During these COVID times, sometimes patients die alone. Once family left, the patient was alone briefly. Elizabeth gowned up and sat with the patient until she passed, holding her hand. I felt that I had to take a few minutes to write about this experience. Elizabeth showed compassionate care for this patient even until her last breath. Despite these times, this patient didn’t die alone; she had her nurse with her.