Cat recently took care of a patient who arrived at our ED via EMS after being found down, unresponsive with agonal breathing, and then transferred to the MICU. It was determined that the patient suffered a stroke requiring lifesaving measures - intubation and vasopressors.

The patient's daughter was in Venezuela and unable to be reached due to the country's current political chaos and revolt. The healthcare team located the patient's grandson, who lived in Chicago and was able to have multiple conversations regarding the patient's status and prognosis. The decision was made to transition the patient to comfort care. On this day, neither the iPad nor the TV video for a Zoom call were working, but Cat remained calm and determined to find a solution so that the patient's grandson could at least see and speak to his grandmother before removing her from life support. Cat immediately started charging her iPhone, then coordinated with the healthcare team and the patient's grandson to set up a time for a Facetime call. Cat's quick thinking and efforts allowed the patient's grandson the ability to see and say a few words to his grandmother before the medical team withdrew life support and transitioned her to comfort care.

Cat explained to the patient's grandson that the medical team was unsure of how quickly the patient would expire after life support measures were removed, so she asked the patient's grandson if he wanted to talk to her again in private without the breathing tube, and he said yes. Cat was able to set up her iPhone on the bedside table, which allowed the grandson to talk to the patient for an hour and a half. He was extremely grateful that Cat allowed him this opportunity to reminisce with her on some good times.

Cat's dedication to her patients and the importance of delivering high quality care is evident in her daily practice.

Thank you!