looked genuinely shocked asking , “ You would do that for me ?” That was the statement that changed my outlook as I continued caring for her . On my part , it was a simple question . It does not take much extra time , and I noticed her hair was all over the place . But to her , it meant so much more .
When the nurse returned with all the supplies I got some warm , soapy water ready and brought everything over to her . Having not cared for this patient before , I asked her what all she would need help with , and she asked me to wash her back and legs for her while she washed her front . She instructed me not to be too gentle and I internally laughed at this , as this had been the mantra chanted at me every time I bathed my patient at my old home health job , and I had gotten pretty good at determining the right combination of firm but gentle , so as to scrub but not tear any skin on my patients . I began with her back and she instantly praised me , stating that most people were still too gentle when they helped her wash up , regardless of how often she insisted not to . I took my time , washing in every crevice and using relaxing , circular motions as I went about my care .
“ I realized that sometimes it truly is the little things that mean the most . … sometimes all our patients need is some human interaction and someone to care for their most basic needs .”
She continued to praise and thank me , and I moved on to her legs , being careful not to get her sheets wet while still thoroughly washing them . She asked that I pay particular attention to her feet and between her toes – I obliged . When I was finished she smiled and began the task of washing the rest of herself as I grabbed the shower cap and massaged her scalp . By this point I felt as though she was a whole new patient . Gone was the grumpy crazy naked lady , and in her place sat a content and thankful , albeit still naked woman in desperate need of comfort and reassurance . As I helped her dry off I continued to muse over my thoughts , and I realized that sometimes it truly is the little things that mean the most . Being in the hospital is no easy thing , and sometimes all our patients need is some human interaction and someone to care for their most basic needs .
Before I left her room that night she asked if I would grant one last favor by bringing her some hot water for tea to try and lull herself back to sleep . I smiled and agreed , and as I went to complete my task she again thanked me and asked for my name so she could write a note about me . I told her once again and indicated to where my name had been written on her white board , and when I returned with her hot water she was on the phone gushing to a family member about her tech Bobbie who was better than anyone else who had cared for her and had really scrubbed her back and made her feel better .
While I am sure that this is far from the truth , it made me appreciate all that a simple bath can do . This bath , which had started as a begrudging effort to not pawn a million tasks off on the other tech , had opened my eyes and shown me that what I had been seeing as grunt work was just as important as the “ good ” tasks . Our patients want us to listen , to hear them and see them and acknowledge their suffering . We may not always have an answer or a solution , but by being there and caring for them in their most vulnerable states , we can truly make a difference in their lives . n
48 NSNA IMPRINT n SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 n www . nsna . org