March 2024
Michael
Hayes
,
RN, MedSurg-BC
Medicine, White 11
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
,
MA
United States
I often saw him sitting in the patient’s room with the patient and his wife, offering emotional support to the family, and in turn, the family members felt safe.
Mike is one of my peers on White 11. We recently had an inpatient with end-stage dementia who was on our unit for many weeks. Due to his cognitive decline presented with many challenges to the staff who were taking care of him. At baseline, he was ambulatory and physically strong, however, he was alert to self only and not re-directable. He was admitted to White 11 after assaulting his wife at home and now she and family members were no longer able to take care of him. It was a heartbreaking situation. Unfortunately, in the hospital setting, these challenges persisted; he was often violent, hitting and striking staff members with his fists, without any triggering factors. We set an acute care plan with the help of the medical team and Psych team to try and provide the care this patient required in a respectful caring manner. Mike was so helpful with this gentleman, as some of the RNs on the unit were anxious to take care of him. Mike offered to take care of him every shift he worked. He provided compassionate, loving care and ensured the patient sat out of bed for meals. He patiently walked the patient to and from the bathroom. He helped him with all the meals even though he also had a busy schedule and other patients to take care of. I often saw him sitting in the patient’s room with the patient and his wife, offering emotional support to the family, and in turn, the family members felt safe. Mike was an integral part of his care plan, discussing with the medical and psychiatric team how any medication adjustments benefited the patient. I was truly in awe of the quality-of-care Mike provided this patient. He was respectful, caring, and compassionate. This patient died peacefully two days ago. His family members were sad and very grateful for the care their loved one received from Mike.