July 2, 2009
Getting to the church on time
It took two weeks of planning and the combined efforts of a dozen or more nurses, pharmacists, clinicians, interns, primary care physicians, case managers, and emergency medical services staff at UPMC Presbyterian. But it was her only daughter’s wedding day, and she wanted to be there.
A 46-year-old surgical patient with multiple challenges — renal failure, lupus, and abdominal wounds — had been admitted to UPMC Presbyterian and had undergone multiple abdominal surgeries, resulting in months of hospitalization.
“She was one of the sickest patients we had, but she was always positive, and appreciative, and always setting goals for herself,” says Catherine Gable, RN, one of the Trauma Unit 9G nurses who became her friend during those months.
Staff members would stop in to visit, arranged “Girls’ Nights” with her, and got to know her family. Everyone on the floor knew that this patient’s biggest goal was to attend her daughter’s upcoming wedding in Clarion, Pa., but her condition wasn’t improving as quickly as they’d hoped as the date approached.
So with the help of numerous staff members — including physicians, nurses, risk management, and emergency medical services — Angela Henzler, RN, 9G unit director, made arrangements to get her to the church on time, accompanied by two nurses and transported by ambulance with all equipment and medications needed for the day.
“We took the attitude, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’” said Ms. Henzler. “And we made it happen.”
Team effort
The physicians, interns, clinicians, and nurses met with the family. Medical staff arranged for a specially fitted wheelchair, a heparin drip, and all necessary medications packed and ready to go. The nurses adjusted her dialysis schedule to fit in a hair appointment. The patient’s husband brought in her dress and shoes. The nurses did her makeup and painted her nails. Her primary care physician coordinated with the Emergency Department at UPMC Northwest to stand by if needed during the day. And a staff member videotaped the patient’s preparations as a wedding-day keepsake for her daughter and family.
By all accounts, her daughter’s wedding day went off without a hitch — or a visit to the ED at UPMC Northwest. The mother of the bride had an unforgettable day, reported Ms. Gable, who accompanied her patient, along with colleague Erin Scholle, RN.
“She did great the whole time; she was so happy to be there. She cried and cried.”