Frances Denno
February 2025
Frances
Denno
,
LPN
Memory Care
Porter Medical Center
Middlebury
,
VT
United States
On a weekend without a provider in the facility, it can be challenging to attend to this type of acute change of status. Frances led the way and provided exceptional care for the patient and her family.
I would like to recognize the exceptional care provided by Frances Denno. This past weekend one of our long-term care residents had an acute change of condition and Frances Denno's diligent and compassionate care helped to facilitate a peaceful end of life. The patient was an 84-year-old female and was admitted almost 3 years ago as her care needs could not be met at home. She became part of our family.
On Saturday morning, the nurse noted an acute change of condition for this resident and was concerned that she was dying. They appropriately communicated with the family and numerous family members were able to be with her throughout the day. They documented clinical concerns about the change of condition and communicated with the facility leadership, the on-call MD, and the medical director/attending. The COLST on file and code status were consistent with comfort-focused goals of care. These goals were re-affirmed and honored.
On a weekend without a provider in the facility, it can be challenging to attend to this type of acute change of status. Frances led the way and provided exceptional care for the patient and her family. The patient was moved to a private room where family could have space to be with her. Based on orders from the on-call MD and the Medical Director/Attending Physician, comfort-oriented medications were initiated for symptom management. She was diligently monitored throughout the day. When symptoms were challenging to manage, they reached out again to the Medical Director/Attending and we worked together to promote patient comfort. This also involved coordination with the pharmacy to secure the needed medications for symptom management.
From the time of this patient's admission almost 3 years ago, the family's goals of care were consistently comfort-focused. Their goal was to avoid a hospital transfer and to allow her to remain in her home. With this type of acute change of condition on a weekend, it can be far more challenging to care for a patient and manage symptoms in-place rather than calling EMS and sending them to the ED. Frances helped to ensure that the comfort-focused goals of care were honored and that the patient had a peaceful death, surrounded by her family. I am extremely appreciative of their exemplary care for this patient and her family. The nominator also wanted to recognize the leaders of the Memory Care unit, both formal and informal, for work in building a strong team that contributed to this positive outcome.
On Saturday morning, the nurse noted an acute change of condition for this resident and was concerned that she was dying. They appropriately communicated with the family and numerous family members were able to be with her throughout the day. They documented clinical concerns about the change of condition and communicated with the facility leadership, the on-call MD, and the medical director/attending. The COLST on file and code status were consistent with comfort-focused goals of care. These goals were re-affirmed and honored.
On a weekend without a provider in the facility, it can be challenging to attend to this type of acute change of status. Frances led the way and provided exceptional care for the patient and her family. The patient was moved to a private room where family could have space to be with her. Based on orders from the on-call MD and the Medical Director/Attending Physician, comfort-oriented medications were initiated for symptom management. She was diligently monitored throughout the day. When symptoms were challenging to manage, they reached out again to the Medical Director/Attending and we worked together to promote patient comfort. This also involved coordination with the pharmacy to secure the needed medications for symptom management.
From the time of this patient's admission almost 3 years ago, the family's goals of care were consistently comfort-focused. Their goal was to avoid a hospital transfer and to allow her to remain in her home. With this type of acute change of condition on a weekend, it can be far more challenging to care for a patient and manage symptoms in-place rather than calling EMS and sending them to the ED. Frances helped to ensure that the comfort-focused goals of care were honored and that the patient had a peaceful death, surrounded by her family. I am extremely appreciative of their exemplary care for this patient and her family. The nominator also wanted to recognize the leaders of the Memory Care unit, both formal and informal, for work in building a strong team that contributed to this positive outcome.