Kyle Knapp
January 2016
Kyle
Knapp
,
RN
Critical Care
Kootenai Health
Coeur d’Alene
,
ID
United States
I'm writing to commend your excellent nurse, Kyle, in the second floor Critical Care Unit. My sister was admitted there. She was airlifted from the Pullman hospital with ARDS. From the beginning, Kyle made my brother-in-law feel calm, informed, and comforted. I arrived from Seattle in the evening, and every wonderful thing I had been hearing from my brother-in-law about Kyle proved to be true. He was so gentle and professional in his care of my sister, and so thoughtful and supportive in his interactions with us, her family. He explained everything that was happening, teaching us about the vent, her medications, etc. He exhibited such tremendous kindness, patience, and caring. Kyle made a horrible time much easier for us than it would have been without his support. Although we were happy to know he got a well-deserved day off on Sunday, we didn't know how we were going to cope without him! Thankfully, my sister was able to come off the vent today. Hopefully, Kyle will be her nurse again for another day or two before she is discharged. He is an extremely valuable member of your hospital team. Thank you, and please let him know how much he is appreciated.
***
My father was recently brought to Kootenai Medical Center with internal bleeding that, unknown to us, had been occurring for quite some time. Upon being admitted to the ICU, he was blessed by the gift of Kyle as his nurse. Kyle efficiently got Dad set up with his IVs, ran him through physical tests to assess his neurological system, and made him physically comfortable. Kyle did all of this in a professional manner as he developed rapport with my dad, my mother, and me. The most crucial thing was the strong connection and relationship he developed with Dad in such a short period of time. Although my father has been cared for by a plethora of medical professionals, he has never met one that he enjoyed and respected like Kyle. Because of my dad's tendency to imitate an ostrich, he is sometimes his own worst enemy. I watched on two occasions as Kyle pulled up a chair and sat eye to eye with my father to explain how his very actions were hurting him and then created a pact to get my dad to make changes. My father listened and responded positively! His own children have been unable to achieve that!
Each morning, Kyle would sit with us and explain in understandable ways what each number on the lab reports represented. He answered questions with patience and good humor. I shared my concerns about my father's habit of not sharing pertinent information with the doctors, and Kyle made sure to ask the right questions of my dad when the doctors were in his room. He also asked questions of the doctors to make sure my dad was getting all of the tests and treatments that would be most beneficial. He brought my mom paperwork that outlined resuscitation orders and encouraged her to take it to the next doctor's visit. After having an exceptionally foul bowel movement, Kyle brought coffee beans into the room to absorb/mask the odor to make my father more comfortable about his family returning to the room. When I would mention Kyle's name to his colleagues they would smile and make an affirming statement without exception. The compilation of these and other actions took a tremendous burden from me and I was able to confidently leave my father's side knowing that Kyle was watching over him.His actions clearly showed that Kyle is passionate about what he does and has genuine caring for every person that is put in front of him. I have never been more impressed by a medical professional. This is the standard to which all should aspire.
***
My father was recently brought to Kootenai Medical Center with internal bleeding that, unknown to us, had been occurring for quite some time. Upon being admitted to the ICU, he was blessed by the gift of Kyle as his nurse. Kyle efficiently got Dad set up with his IVs, ran him through physical tests to assess his neurological system, and made him physically comfortable. Kyle did all of this in a professional manner as he developed rapport with my dad, my mother, and me. The most crucial thing was the strong connection and relationship he developed with Dad in such a short period of time. Although my father has been cared for by a plethora of medical professionals, he has never met one that he enjoyed and respected like Kyle. Because of my dad's tendency to imitate an ostrich, he is sometimes his own worst enemy. I watched on two occasions as Kyle pulled up a chair and sat eye to eye with my father to explain how his very actions were hurting him and then created a pact to get my dad to make changes. My father listened and responded positively! His own children have been unable to achieve that!
Each morning, Kyle would sit with us and explain in understandable ways what each number on the lab reports represented. He answered questions with patience and good humor. I shared my concerns about my father's habit of not sharing pertinent information with the doctors, and Kyle made sure to ask the right questions of my dad when the doctors were in his room. He also asked questions of the doctors to make sure my dad was getting all of the tests and treatments that would be most beneficial. He brought my mom paperwork that outlined resuscitation orders and encouraged her to take it to the next doctor's visit. After having an exceptionally foul bowel movement, Kyle brought coffee beans into the room to absorb/mask the odor to make my father more comfortable about his family returning to the room. When I would mention Kyle's name to his colleagues they would smile and make an affirming statement without exception. The compilation of these and other actions took a tremendous burden from me and I was able to confidently leave my father's side knowing that Kyle was watching over him.His actions clearly showed that Kyle is passionate about what he does and has genuine caring for every person that is put in front of him. I have never been more impressed by a medical professional. This is the standard to which all should aspire.