In April, our 95-year-old mother arrived to the SMH ED. Any time that a nonagenarian requires hospitalization, it certainly invokes anxiety and fear in those experienced patients, not to mention the family members. As it has become ‘normal’ for patients in the ED to be placed in a hallway, it was the case this day. Nevertheless, we were met with the most kind and caring nurse, Josh.

One cannot help but notice the activity of the bustling ED while in the hallway, including many other patients shouting out demands and asking repeated questions with answers that the patients did not seem to accept. Despite the demands of the environment, Josh frequently checked in and took time to explain things to a vulnerable 95-year-old.

His patience exceeded any expectation, given the constant demands on his time. He calmly was able to draw labs from an unforgiving, difficult vasculature, and during that time recognized signs of sepsis and took immediate actions that are critical in someone of that age group.

The physical environment of the hallway in ED would stress any seasoned healthcare worker. Space is a valuable resource alone as well as nowhere to set down supplies. Josh continued to offer support and explanations while working behind the scenes with the providers and his co-workers, gathering more monitoring equipment and arranging a room within the ED. Thankfully, M has made a full recovery from Sepsis and is back home, and was able to hold a new great-granddaughter that was named in her honor. Thank you, Josh, for all of your care and support.