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Letter to the editor

Dear Dr. (Patrick) Flume, Dr. (Charlie) Strange, Dr. (Jay) Heidecker, MICU staff, and respiratory therapy:
Where do I begin to thank and commend all of you when I feel as though words cannot express the gratitude that is so rightfully due?
 
In regards to the young gentleman in bed 1 over the weekend; I have never been so proud and fulfilled in my career as I was this weekend as the team pulled together for MICU care and teamwork. Not only did the multidisciplinary team come together, but the compassion and care for the patient and his family exceeded what was expected.
 
First of all, many of the staff members and myself would like to commend Dr. Patrick Flume for not only coming in when he was not on call, but also for initiating the treatment the patient so desperately needed. From speaking with staff members, Dr. Flume has the MICU teams complete respect. If not for him the staff felt that the patient would no longer be with us and that he went above and beyond the call of duty. Staff members witnessed as he arranged for the patient to be started on ECMO, then transported to a different facility, and then encouraged the Marine Corp to initiate the fundraising to help the patient’s family with the medical costs. Dr. Flume, we applaud you and are proud to work along side you.
 
Second, Dr. Charlie Strange spent several day and night shift hours with the patient and staff for the Surfactant study and to help attempt to stabilize the patient. When all ventalitory efforts were exhausted, he and Dr. Jay Heidecker helped the respiratory and nursing staff manually prone the patient. When the patient was somewhat stable, he left only to call a few hours later to check on if the patient had made any progress and whether or not to continue with the study. Dr. Strange, thank you for caring and educating the staff at the same time.
 
Third, Dr. Jay Heidecker on a few hours of sleep and the cell phone glued to his ear, arranged for the ECMO flight team and MEDU care ambulance crew to transport the patient to Wake Forest. Working more than 24 hours with the patient and managing to know exactly what to do, he lead the night shift MICU team and recognition and applause is due to Jay as well.
 
Last but not least, to the nursing and respiratory staff. You are why I come to work everyday. To work along side a group of  extraordinary people that are not only patient advocates, but also care for the patient as if they were their own family member. From the charge nurse that made the call to Dr. Flume and presented our dilemma, to the staff that cared for the patient, and to the staff that cared for the rest of the patients in the unit while the needs in bed 1 became a 6:1 situation at times, I commend you and you have my utmost respect.
 
We never want one of our loved ones to become critically ill. Especially a 19-year-old. However from what was witnessed— the teamwork, the compassion, the prayer chain, and the fight for what is someone’s life will forever be remembered by some of the staff members and myself.
 
Thank you again and I look forward to continuing this standard of care with you on a daily basis.
Sincerely,

Sarah Bucko, R.N.
 

Friday, March 24, 2006
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.