Different variations of emergencies we see in our Emergency Department present themselves at hospitals across the nation, but there are a handful for patient cases we handle that make us realize the unique nature of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
I was particularly moved by one case that involved a young woman who had recently moved to the Boston area with her new husband. Complaining of severe headaches, her husband brought her into our ED in the middle of the night. Our CAT scan revealed that the woman had a brain tumor. You can imagine the devastation this would bring to anyone, especially to newlyweds in the prime of their lives.
I spent nearly an hour listening to their concerns and describing the work that had been done at BWH with the MRT on comparable brain cancer. “You couldn’t be in better hands,” I told her.
As the couple left our ED that night, there were still some unanswered questions about her long-term care. However, I felt comfortable in my thoroughness in patient care and my communication with her husband. Because the patient is often not the only one with issues at stake, it is key in the ED to also address the needs of concerned family members or visitors.
A month later I received a letter from the young woman. Her brain tumor had been removed, her husband had begun medical school and she was pregnant. It is this kind of success story that makes me feel privileged to work at BWH.
Alongside the privilege, comes the challenge of treating some of the toughest emergencies in Boston. The tragedies and triumphs both have a way of leaving impressions on us as ED nurses and often require us to balance real life emotions with professional obligation, sometimes at a moment’s notice.
As nurse-in-charge, it is my responsibility to help with this balance. In addition to congratulating staff on their many life-saving victories, it is crucial for me to step in to remove nurses from certain situations before it gets too rough for them to handle and make sure they take a walk, get a drink of water or collect their thoughts in the break room.
After the walk, drink or break, we prepare for the next case, not knowing what to expect once again. Our challenge continues to be to save lives, our privilege is knowing we have the staff expertise and tools to do so.
Mike Lage, RN, BSN, CEN
Nurse-in-charge, Overnight
Emergency Department.