Nothing is more stressful and heart-wrenching than a pediatric code in the ED. On a day last month, we received a call from EMS that a pediatric code was arriving in our ED as we were treating an adult code within the unit. The team sprang into action under the carefully orchestrated direction of Geri who was the charge nurse that day. She assigned roles for the pediatric code and assured everyone what their role was and had the equipment they needed.
The patient arrived and we brought the family to the bedside in order to be close and understand what was occurring with their daughter. In this case, the team worked seamlessly and provided medications, cardiac compressions, documentation, and emotional support to the family. However, our efforts did not bring the desired outcome everyone wanted. We did a moment of pause to recognize the family that was before us and this little girl's life. The care of the department and the family continued. Geri made sure that breakfast and lunch were brought to the ED staff. This was a comfort to our team to be able to go into the break room and talk about the code and our emotions.
The little girl needed a new diaper placed but the ED was out of that size. Geri has a little boy who wears this same size and went down to her car to get a diaper so this little girl would have what her parents felt she needed. Geri obtained the miscarriage box that helps to collect a lock of hair and footprints with bereavement information for the family. A lock of curl and footprints were obtained, and a magnet was placed outside the door to alert other staff of a loss.
All of these little and not so little actions that Geri did show her compassion and leadership skills. Thank you for allowing me to brag about Geri and for our whole team because while I'm highlighting the actions of Geri for this nomination it was the whole team working as individuals and collaboratively as a group that is so impressive.