After spending a few months on this unit, Ralene realized that many of her neurological patients and especially those with dementia enjoyed focused artwork. She purchased an adult coloring book and colored pencils and started giving them to select patients during her shift. If they had vision problems she enlarged the pages. She noticed that this not only distracted her patients from trying to pull out therapeutic lines, but it kept them from trying to get out of bed unassisted, it helped them practice their fine motor skills and simply increased their enjoyment of being in the hospital. Ralene noticed that this activity improved their neurological function. Ever conscientious, she reported that she always cleans the pencils with chlorhexidine wipes in-between patients.
Ralene went far above and beyond what was required of her to individual care for her patients.