We had anelderly patient admitted to the ICU who was in the dying process. It was determined that her daughters lived many miles away and would not be able to be here with their mother. Sandy spoke to one of the daughters on the phone to let her know the situation. The daughter requested that her mother did not die alone and that she knew that Jesus loved her.Sandy returned to the room, bent down and whispered in the patient's ear and told her that she was loved by her family and by Jesus.
Sandy continued to provide comforting care to the patient by stroking and putting a cool cloth on her forehead, holding the patient's hand and stroking her arm, the entire time telling the patient that she was loved. Sandy removed the monitoring equipment to make the patient as comfortable as possible during this process. This patient did die peacefully in the presence of the nursing staff. Following her death, Sandy and the staff in attendance took a moment in which the life that was lost is acknowledged and honored.
Sandy and staff carried out the wishes of the family that this patient did not die alone, and she knew that she was loved. The family was comforted in knowing that their wishes for their mother were carried out. The care that Sandy and staff provided for this patient is the epitome of what compassionate care looks like.