Name: MICU

Department: Medical Intensive Care

Recipient: May of 2008

Nominated by: Employee - Sarah Searfoss

This is the award-winning letter sent to MICU:
Amanda Bachman RN, Keisha Doolan RN, Carolyn Clemmons RN

I am writing this letter to nominate my fellow co-workers for a daisy award regarding the superb care and compassion they displayed regarding the treatment and discharge of a terminally ill patient.
"Scott" as we all knew him was a frequent visitor to our unit and had multiple health problems that made his prognosis extremely poor. With each admission all of my co-workers and I came to know Scott and his significant other Kathy on not only a professional but also a very personal level. Although Scotts case was complicated medically it was very emotionally difficult as well and over the past year I noticed an attachment of sorts develop amongst my co-workers and this couple.
On Scotts last admission it became very apparent that he was near the end of his life. On the morning of May 17th 2008 Scott awoke to tell his nurse Carolyn Clemmons "I need to go home to my own bed and my family to make my pain go away". Though this day was a Saturday and home coordination efforts were unavailable Carolyn promised Scott she would do all she could to facilitate his wish. When Carolyn reported off to Keisha Doolan R.N. the torch was passed and the marathon to get Scott home in time continued.
Through the dedicated efforts of Keisha and Amanda Bachman R.N. EVERY one of Scotts homecare needs were arranged. By 7pm that evening Scott was able to go home to his own bed to be with the love of his life and his beloved dog to spend his final hours. It was because of these nurses in particular that Scott was able to be set free of his pain and suffering in the comfort of his own home on the morning of May 18th.
As nurses we are driven to provide a certain level of care and compassion to all of our patients but what these three nurses did for this particular patient in a 12 hour time frame was nothing short of phenominal. They stepped forward to show that they were not only Scotts nurses, but also his patient advocates, discharge planners, hospice coordinators, and MOST IMPORTANT of all - his friends.
It is during times like this that I am so proud to be a RN here at Genesys - but even more than that I am so thankful to know how much my co-workers and this entire unit care about their patients. Each and every one of you should be so proud to be the nurse you are! Without you our patients would never have the chance to regain their health much less the right to die with the dignity they deserve.