Sarah Harris
August 2015
Sarah
Harris
,
RN
ED
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center
Matthews
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

A special needs child died of respiratory arrest in our ED. Her very special nurse, Sarah Harris, offered to care for this child and family when others didn't feel they could. The family arrived after the child had passed. The nurse arranged for family to first have a few moments with the MD in a private area. She very delicately explained to the family what to expect when they came to the ED room to see their daughter. The family stayed 4-5 hours but Sarah never rushed them but stopped in frequently to assess their needs. She initiated a bereavement packet that included clay to make a hand and foot print, cut a lock of hair and placed in a special card. She also assisted the family to dress their child in her own clothes "one last time". Though it was painful for them to leave that day, they expressed over and over how wonderfully they had been treated. Sarah is a wonderful and compassionate nurse who deserves a DAISY award.