December 2022
Rosanna
Ruiz
,
RN
Perinatal
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas
,
NV
United States
She sat at the patient’s level, kept eye contact throughout the encounter, and provided the patient with her utmost undivided attention.
Rosanna, the doctor, and I were taking care of a patient admitted to L&D for a miscarriage delivery. At the beginning of my shift, Rosanna approached me indicating our need to have a discussion with the patient about what to expect with the delivery process and after the delivery. Throughout our conversation, I could sense Rosanna’s deep compassion for this mother who lost her child. Rosanna offered to lead the conversation with the patient as the doctor and I were new to UMC’s L&D unit and Rosanna had more familiarity regarding the hospital’s resources for these patients. We came up with a plan and then went to speak with the patient. In the room, Rosanna used exceptional communication skills. She sat at the patient’s level, kept eye contact throughout the encounter, and provided the patient with her utmost undivided attention. We could see how devastated the patient and her husband were regarding the loss of their child. However, as Rosanna calmly informed them of their options regarding how their fetus would be cared for, the two became more relaxed and prepared for the moment. Roseanna’s work choice and delivery of information went above and beyond expectations. I could tell that the patient was emotionally in shock, but after speaking with Rosanna, you could see how safe the patient felt thanks to Rosanna’s compassionate care.