In our care was a very sick patient. The family was going back and forth with her code status. Much discussion and support were given to the patient and her family. The patient looked good one evening, talking with her family, but in the middle of the night, her condition changed. She died about 2 a.m. Knowing that our pastoral care is not available between midnight and 4 a.m., Melanie Fontanilla sat with the family and prayed. She even took out the Bible and read some Psalms for the patient and the family. She showed such compassion and respect to the family during their difficult time.
As caregivers, we do just that … take care of patients. Sometimes we forget the needs of the family … but not Melanie. True to the relationship-based care ingrained in our practice, Melanie took care of the spiritual needs of this family.