Today, I had the pleasure of meeting first with Jessica (Manager),Deng (ANM), and Kelly, Zero Hero, to view the newly designed DPCE board. What a transformation that shows a clear picture of what is an organization goal, but also caregiver engagement priority. They walked through why they had laid out the material and data and how they used the board each day. The energy was great.
I then spent part of the afternoon with Sonja as she cared for her two patients, one a critically ill trauma from the AM and another a post stroke gentleman who had stabilized and would be transferring to the next level of care later in the day.
I was struck with how she showed such compassion for her patient who had returned form the OR and was sedated and on the ventilator. She came close to him each time she was going to move him, provide care and she let him know she knew he was in pain even though he could not communicate. She was able to speak to her patient’s needs with a careful assessment of the patient. It was inspiring to watch how she was able to take in each and every part of the environment and its impact on the patient, with the primary goal of making certain the care was right and the patient could hear and know her compassionate touch and voice. She showed sacred encounters in action each and every time.
When she visited the gentleman who would be moving out later in the day, he was in great humor and it was clear she had a keen understanding of his needs, progress and what was most important. His wife and son were present and interacted with Sonja as if she were part of the family.
In every touch, word, act of care, Sonja demonstrated our values of compassion, dignity, justice and excellence. Despite the set up in the rooms that caused challenges in accessing and stocking needed supplies, she was cheerful, enthusiastic and genuine. She was efficient with her time and care routines as she moved about each room, always anticipating what might be needed next and tidying as she went.
We talked through options for storage of supplies, including mobile carts with attachments for pillow stocking. She agreed to talk over with her team.
Sonja was welcoming and so impressive. She is the caregiver anyone would wish to have at their bedside.
Vicki