Caitlin O'Fallon
March 2025
Caitlin
O'Fallon
,
RN
Medical ICU
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Raleigh
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

Caitlin's unwavering need to truly provide care for her patient led her to seek out the patient's primary MD, giving a compelling list of rationales that got her patient transferred to another unit with non-monitored status.
Caitlin had a patient who had been placed on comfort care. With family at the bedside, they had expressed that the dying patient's last wish was to say goodbye to all of his loved ones. The patient was able to say goodbye to all his loved ones except his beloved dog. Caitlin expressed a strong desire to make this particular request a reality. Caitlin spoke with her charge RN, then sought further guidance from her supervisor and CA. Caitlin searched the WakeMed policy, which directed her to seek guidance from Infection Control. Finally, Caitlin and her patient got an answer, but not one that would allow her patient to finally rest. Unfortunately, IC stated on an ICU introducing a dog onto the unit poses a contamination risk. Caitlin's unwavering need to truly provide care for her patient led her to seek out the patient's primary MD, giving a compelling list of rationales that got her patient transferred to another unit with non-monitored status. This dedication to her patient, respect for people as well as Caitlin's commitment and accountability for the Wake Way got her patient transferred. Finally, after 4 hours of focus, her patient was able to finally say goodbye to his beloved four-legged family member. Caitlin was thanked by the family and receiving nurse. They stated to her that the patient was waiting to kiss his dog goodbye. Afterwards, the patient died content and at peace. In life, as it is in nursing, the little things are the big things.