Meaghan is a nurse who is always extremely collaborative and easy to work with. As a physical therapist in an ICU setting, I rely heavily on communication and collaboration with the nurses taking care of these critically ill patients. Meg is always willing to have a conversation and help brainstorm the appropriate time for PT interventions as well as lend a helping hand.

One instance that stands out is when Meg and I collaborated with a patient awaiting a liver/kidney transplant. The patient had just been officially listed the day before and her entire family (including her two children) came to visit. The patient had been motivated and doing really well with PT; however, was connected to her CVVH during the day and therefore unable to make large mobility gains due to being stuck to the machine.

I approached Meaghan and asked if it was possible to take down the CVVH machine to allow the patient to progress her ambulation. Meaghan jumped at the chance to assist, communicating with the ICU team as well as agreeing to take down the machine a few hours earlier than it was due to be changed to make this happen. She made sure to inform the patient and the family and to optimize medications as best as possible. Meg was also present throughout the session (delaying her own lunch) to assist with lines and mobilizing the patient. I truly could not have made this session happen.

I was so appreciative to Meg for recognizing that this patient needed to progress her mobility, as well as the benefit of having her family see her finally progress back to mobility after nearly 2 months in the ICU. I think this is just one example of how Meaghan goes above and beyond for her patients and for her team members.