I arrived at your hospital to have a c5-6-7 fusion in my neck. I was nervous and apprehensive as I thought about the incision the doctor would make in my throat as he worked around some vital areas needed to live. From the time I walked through the doors until I rolled out in a wheelchair the next day to go home, I was treated with respect, kindness, and grace by every member of your hospital staff.
There was a staff member who went above and beyond to care for me during the most vulnerable time in my life thus far. Erin Keim in the PACU took care of me after my surgery that afternoon. She had a great smile, a great attitude, and almost made me forget I was lying on a stretcher with needles in my arm and various tubes stuck in different places in my body. It put me at ease to be able to talk to her and other members of your staff and I even had a laugh or two.
These nurses play a vital role in the care of patients who come in for surgery. Unfortunately, patients do not always remember these unsung heroes as they are still under the effects of medications.
I wanted to take a few minutes to write the administration to ensure you know have quality nurses who genuinely care about their patients and love their jobs. Erin showed great compassion when caring for me during a difficult time when I felt I was not in control of anything. She could have recovered me and sent me to the floor and that would have been okay, but she went above and beyond to treat me like someone special, and not just any patient. I hope the administration does not take nurses like Erin for granted because patients like me never will.