It was a day like any other when she received this special post-op patient. Upon receiving this patient, Brenda found a very tiny, frail, elderly lady with drains, tubes, suture lines and a trach; pretty common for our ENT patients. The difference was, this little lady traveled from a town a few hours away, driving herself and her elderly husband. This patient did not anticipate her length of stay or the limitations that such a surgery would have on her. Each day Brenda cared for her and waited for the patient's husband to visit so that she could teach both of them all of the aspects of her care. About the third day, the patient's husband came in as usual with a slow gait, held steady with his walker. He did not look so good. Brenda asked him where he was staying and how he was managing. He said, "Fine. I'm staying in a hotel down the street." Brenda advocated for the patient's husband to get him a room at the Kiwanis house. After he left, her patient told Brenda that her husband had not eaten in three days and that he was a diabetic and she needed to go home as soon as possible. Brenda saw that this was very stressful for the patient, but she was not ready for discharge. Brenda started to network quickly. She called Social Services, the Discharge Planner, and the MD's involved in her care. She had everyone helping where they could. She was able to work out a plan for the patient's husband to eat each day. When the husband returned, Brenda bought him dinner. Brenda informed both the patient and her husband about the plan to assure that he was able to eat during the admission. Her patient was then able to relax and heal without the stress or worry for her husband's well being. Brenda was then able to care for, teach and prepare her patient for discharge when the time came. Brenda exemplifies Primary Nursing by the excellent care she provides for the family as a whole. Her patients refer to her as being thoughtful, patient and caring and one who pays great attention to details. They look forward to her return to work when they are in her care. She's the Best!
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