Recently, Kassandra trusted her instincts and protected her patient from a potentially abusive situation. Her patient was intubated and couldn't speak for himself, so Kassandra was an amazing advocate for her patient. The following is a note in Kassandra’s words describing the event. (Alterations to the original were made to protect patient information.)

During this nurse's assessment, the patient's father visited. The patient's father touched the patient repeatedly, and the patient would look away or grimace when this would happen. The patient's father stroked the patient's face with the back of his hand and stated, "I know you like it when I touch you like that". The father repeatedly stroked the patient’s arms, face, and chest. The patient began to shake. I asked the father to move so I could finish my assessment. The father got a call and said he was going to the cafeteria and would be back after.

After the patient's father left, I asked the patient yes and no questions. The patient was able to clearly nod or shake his head, yes or no. I asked the patient if they were comfortable being touched by their father like that. The patient shook his head no. I asked if his father was able to hold his hand, and the patient shook his head no. I asked the patient if he wanted his son and his mother (son's mother) to visit and hold his hand, and the patient nodded yes three times. 

I notified the provider. After I reassessed the pt. and asked if the patient's father had ever touched him inappropriately when he was younger. The patient looked away and shrugged his shoulders. The patient was tearing up. I asked the patient if he wanted his father to be a visitor and he shook his head no. I notified the provider, the provider stated that she was in the moment communicating with the oncoming provider, and would let social work know. 

The patient's son and Mother came back to visit. Soon after, the patient's father was in the hallway. I walked him to the visitor’s waiting room. I stated the patient did not want him as a visitor and only wants his son and Mother right now, and the medical team will contact him if that changes. He asked why and stated he had raised him since he was a baby, and the patient likes it when he touches him like that. He also stated he is a Christian and has been in church since he was 18. I restated that we would contact him when he could visit. I told him to go home for now. The father left. 

When I arrived back to the room, the son asked if I knew that it was the patient’s dad. I stated that he had expressed his wishes for visitation. I went over the specific wishes of the patient, and the son and Mother verbalized understanding of the situation. 

The patient is resting in bed, with a call light in hand. The mother and son are at the bedside. Care ongoing.