Kristen Hutchings
April 2015
Kristen
Hutchings
,
RN
Emergency Department
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center
Syracuse
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

Kristen cared for a 93 year old female patient who came to the Emergency Department as a full arrest. She had been intubated and had return of spontaneous circulation. Upon the family's arrival, the decision was made to make the patient "Do Not Resuscitate," have her extubated, and then made her "Do Not Intubate." The plan was to allow the woman to be extubated and allowed to die naturally. Kristen, Respiratory Therapy, and the MD implemented their roles, extubated the patient, and helped her feel settled and comfortable in bed. Kristen then realized that the woman's family had left her alone in the Emergency Department to die naturally. Rather than letting this woman die alone, Kristen sat right next to her and held her hand while she passed from this life. Kristen was not only this woman's nurse in time of need, but she was also her "angel" and her compassionate caregiver.