May 2011
Walter
Poyner
,
RN
ICU
Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center
Vancouver
,
WA
United States

 

 

 

Walter had been caring for a very ill pt. In the ICU and the pt. was not expected to live. The pts. wife was all alone, without family or friends nearby. Walter took the time to be with the wife and to try toexplain to her how serious the pts condition was. The next day the pt. was made comfort care and was transferred to the medical floor. The nursing supervisor was talking with Walter about the pt and he asked that the supervisor check on him and his wife. He stated he was very concerned about her well being. As this conversation was taking place the supervisor was paged. The page stated that this pt. had just passed away. The supervisor went to the pts. Room and spent several minutes with the wife. The talked about the pt and his care, the pts wife stated that all the nurses were wonderful, but Walter was the very best, “he is so kind and compassionate. He spent most of last night trying to tell me how sick my husband was. I know he didn’t think I was listening but I just didn’t want to believe him.” The supervisor asked if the pts wife wanted Walter to come to the room, and she thought that would be great. Walter did not hesitat and spent time with her and then walked her to her car. Later that night Walter asked the supervisor to have someone follow up with the pts. Wife as he was worried about her being alone.