I was recently admitted to Saratoga Hospital for a cardiac incident that required me to have cardiac catheterization. Michael was the RN assigned to me for the two days I was admitted. He provided exceptional care to an extremely nervous and scared patient. He went above and beyond to ensure that all of my and my visitors’ needs were met during this time. Michael is an exemplary employee and has an amazing bedside manner. He stands apart from the other nurses that I have encountered, both at Saratoga and other hospitals.

On the day before the catheterization, he spent a significant amount of time explaining what would happen that evening and the following day. He knew I previously had an allergic reaction to the contrast dye they use in the procedure and went out of his way to explain this in detail. He covered all the medications I would be given and the times they would be given to ensure I was not overly concerned about this.

On the morning of the procedure, he spent an equal amount of time making sure that I had everything in place, in time, for when I needed to go to the catheterization unit. Afterwards, he collaborated directly with me, ensuring that the wound was clotted properly and explained all the steps along the way to make me feel more comfortable.

On a busy floor, Michael could have treated me as just another patient, but he understood my level of anxiety and took every step he could to make me feel more comfortable. At the end of his shift, he informed me that I would be transferring to another unit within the hospital in preparation for discharge the next day.

He again went out of his way, and before ending his shift, he brought me to the new unit. He even stayed to help me get comfortable in my new room. I have rarely experienced this level of service in a hospital setting, and he should be recognized for his efforts and diligence in caring for his patients. Thank you, Michael!