Our GEMS: Staff going the extra mile

A Urological Care patient couldn't afford stoppers or tennis balls for their walker, causing the walker's feet to loudly drag and scrape the ground. Tara B. and Kylie M., Urological Care, split the cost to buy tennis balls and put them on the walker. According to the nomination, "This absolutely made the patient's day!"

A patient was having surgery to remove cancer from their ear and have a skin graft. Terry G., ROSE, noticed the numbing shots to the ear were quite painful for the patient, so he held their hand and talked with them throughout the procedure. "My words cannot express how these simple gestures really calmed me and helped me," the patient said. "Thank you, Mr. Garrett."

On a recent day when there were 169 patients in the hospital, one had special needs for her diet. James C., Food and Nutrition Services, came in on his day off to cook lunch and dinner for that one patient. "This really goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the department and hospital," the nominator wrote. "Thanks, Chef, for such a caring spirit."

A 5-year-old was found sitting on a bench with her dog at the entrance to the Reid Health Emergency Department - Connersville. The child said she had no parents and she had slept outside the night before. While the Emergency Department staff cared for her and began the process of identifying and finding proper placement, a trio of staffers went above and beyond to help. Shawna V., Patient Resources Services, went to Walmart and bought the child new clothing; Allyson G., Patient Access Connersville, went home to pick up a pet crate for the dog to rest in; and Cody F., Reid Health Police Department, kept the dog in the department and then brought it over so the child could see it before she left.

Derek S., Pharmacy, was delivering medications to a patient before discharge when the patient mentioned she was anxious about leaving the hospital because she didn't have a jacket to wear in the cold weather. Derek went to the gift shop and bought her a jacket and a hat, refusing to allow the patient to pay him back.

Patrice M., Central Scheduling, had scheduled a massage for herself one evening after work. She received a call from an expectant mother who wanted to schedule a massage, but it was going to be several weeks before she could get in. Without telling the patient, Patrice gave up her time so the patient wouldn't have to wait.

Lance P., Nursing Critical Care, went above and beyond, bringing a patient from 4 East to her husband's room so they could spend time together before the husband was intubated. Lance then watched over the couple while they visited. The couple's family said the effort meant the world to them.

A family member accompanying a PET/CT patient brought a pillow with him, knowing it would be a few hours before he and the patient could go home. The family member dozed off, and when he woke up, he realized Carrie R., Radiology Cat Scan, had dimmed the lights, turned down the TV, and covered him with a blanket while he slept. The family member was very appreciative and said it was care like this that would bring them back to a hospital. The family member said he couldn't put into words how much it meant to him and that it showed how much Carrie really cared.

Quick thinking on the part of Lisa R., RHPA Administration, saved a colleague from choking. Lisa successfully used the Heimlich maneuver to help a team member who began choking while on her lunch in the breakroom. Lisa took quick action and remained calm, performing the abdominal thrusts until the airway was cleared.

Kristen K. and Erin S., Nursing 5 North, helped make a special anniversary dinner happen. A patient who had been hospitalized was missing his home and family. His wife recently was admitted to the ARU, so Kristen went to the gift shop and bought flowers (yellow, his wife's favorite color) while Erin bought a card. Kristen helped the patient fill out the card to give to his wife. The couple then were able to have dinner together in her room to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Abby C., Environmental Services, was asked if she could fix a patient's hair since other team members were unsure how to do it. Abby came right away, was very nice, and even stayed to make sure the patient's hair was to her liking. Abby took time away from her everyday routine to care for a patient who was on a different floor than her, and Abby did it all with a smile.

On his day off, Billy T., Reid Health Police Department, picked up fountain drinks for all the staff working at the Kuhlman Center COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic and insisted on paying for it himself.