I had an interaction with one of the San Martin ER staff that I feel represented the true caring nature that all medical personnel strives to achieve. This nurse went above and beyond the standard level of care of any nurse, I have dealt with since I began in Las Vegas EMS. You are very lucky to be represented by Nurse Sharon who was working in San Martin ER.
I was called to a possible psychiatric call while working as a field paramedic. Our patient had a severe history of COPD and needed constant oxygen to maintain. This patient presented tripoding, intercostal retractions, obvious work of breathing, and a room air saturation of low 80's. This patient, though suffering, was more focused on his 17 year old, blind, and weak dachshund who he believed would be harmed if left with his family on scene. LVMPD requested EMS to take the dog with our patient. Our patient agreed to transport so long as something could be done to care for this dog until other family could come. The patient and dog were transported to San Martin ER. During my 1.5 hour interaction, the dog never once barked, stayed on the patient's lap, and acted more trained than any service dog I've seen.
Upon arrival, my patient improved, I explained the situation with LVMPD and efforts being made to contact other family. One nurse raised concern regarding hospital policy on allowing dogs in patient rooms.
I was assigned a room and took my patient that way. My patient's room was assigned to Sharon, thankfully. My patient was transferred, still concerned for his dog and already stating he was willing to AMA if required to save his dog.
Sharon approached for report; I gave the medical report first to which Sharon asked all expected questions and presented genuinely interested in her patient. I then gave the report about the dog, of which had been so quiet and still that Sharon and the tech had not noticed was there until I pointed it out. I informed Sharon that LVMPD was attempting to locate family for the dog and had already established a plan to have the dog cared for ASAP. Sharon, amazingly, went out of her way to find volunteers to help care for the dog when the patient had to be tested (CT/X-Ray) and to ensure the dog was able to be walked if need and replaced the dog diaper as well.
Sharon knew that treating her patient also meant caring for this dog and helping the patient rest easy facilitating care. Sharon went above and beyond treating her patients as real people with the caring and respect we only hear about. I hope that my employees can at least achieve even a fragment of the qualities Sharon has and San Martin is extremely lucky to have nurses of this quality on their staff.