August 2010
Laura
Johnson
,
RN, CCRN
Medical Intensive Care Unit
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston
,
SC
United States

 

 

 

I want to thank the staff that worked Saturday June 12 in MICU. Julia admitted Ms. Lyons to bed 3 in the late hours of Saturday morning. The unit was hopping and everyone worked together to settle the patient. Seth was in charge Saturday dayshift, and Laura Johnson assumed care of this patient. This patient came from Colleton with leg pain, questionable necrotizing fascitis, which rapidly progressed to full blown sepsis. She was maxed on 3 pressors almost instantly, and was too unstable to go to the OR, and a fasciotomy to her left leg was done at bedside. Ms. Lyons had a loving husband and 3 wonderful children, aged 3, 10, and 13. She was extremely busy throughout the day, with everything being done to save her life. Her older child and husband were at the bedside much of the time, and did remarkably well. The 3 year old asked 'Mommy, MOMMY!' wanting her mother to wake up. One of the older kids asked 'If we give our mommy some blood, will it make her stronger?' Despite all of our efforts, this patient passed in MICU that afternoon. Everyone involved in her care, closely and remotely, took the loss hard. Laura was commended by multiple coworkers for doing a fabulous job with this patient and her family, especially her children. Dr. Boylan, MICU Medical Director, is quoted as saying 'It is the most amazing, heroic, professional and positive team.' Laura's devotion to caring for highly critical patients and involving the family in the patient's care is remarkable. This is only one example where Laura has gone above and beyond to make room for the multiple family members at the bedside, while everything is still being done to save the patient. While this can be chaotic at times, it is greatly appreciated by the family as they are able to provide direct support to their loved one, and see first hand that the team really is doing everything to save their loved one's life. Laura deserves to win the Daisy Award as she exemplifies super human work every day that she works. I am so grateful to be part of it.