Sometimes the small acts of kindness have the biggest impact
Sometimes the small, random acts of kindness have the biggest impact on our patients. Following is an incident that happened on the Acute Care Unit and Bronson Lakeview Hospital.
On Monday, February 24, Nurse Samantha Sarver cared for an adult female patient admitted with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia. The patient has Down’s syndrome and was mentally impaired, with the mental capacity of a child aged 3-4. Her impairment made it difficult for her to use the incentive spirometer, which would have ultimately aided in the patient’s recovery of her illness. Nurse Samantha identified that blowing bubbles might not only help the patient recover from her illness as well as help prevent potential pneumonia, but the patient might just have some fun, too. Samantha took it upon herself to bring in bubbles for the patient the following day when she worked.
At one point during her care for the patient, Samantha noted the patient’s IV to be bad. She knew the patient would need a new IV. The patient became anxious when Samantha explained the need for the IV to her and her mother. Since the patient kept a doll that provided her comfort with her at all times, Samantha decided to show the patient the process getting an IV by having her doll “get an IV” first. This allowed the patient to see what getting an IV would be like. After seeing the IV placed in her doll, the patient was able to be brave and stoic throughout the IV insertion.
Samantha’s actions are the epitome of Bronson’s vision and values. In her daily practice, Samantha strives to care for her patients as if they were her own friends or family. She begins every patient’s education during her first encounter with them, continually encouraging patients and their families to ask questions. This helps to increase the patient’s comfort throughout their hospital stay, as well as during and after their discharge. As a float nurse, Samantha thrives on meeting different types of people in different situations and finding ways to help these patients in their time of need.
