May 2022
MICU
at TVHS
MICU
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Nashville
,
TN
United States
Stephanie Fuqua RN, Keri Frank RN, Chris Hale RN, Linna Palcon RN, Whitney Noble RN, and Jamie Zimmerman RN
The MICU Team coordinated with voluntary services to make sure that the tattoo could either be covered up or removed before the Veteran’s passing.
The MICU Team recently made final wishes come to life for one Veteran. The Veteran had expressed that he had a tattoo on his shoulder that he would rather amputate than pass away with. The MICU Team coordinated with voluntary services to make sure that the tattoo could either be covered up or removed before the Veteran’s passing. Within 30 minutes of sending the request, a tattoo artist had responded to help. The MICU team states that being able to care for the Veteran as a unique individual is important. It is so special when you can give them something meaningful to them, something you can’t always find in a textbook. The team states that they are not losing when they lose them, they have won in so many ways by honoring their needs. The MICU states that dignity is hard to find in the ICU, so when they can provide that to a Veteran it means everything to them. One of their greatest honors is making a Veteran’s final wish come true.