To comfort patients’ relatives, Lisa Beglarian, RN, prints a patient’s EKG strip and places it in a laboratory tube with the following message for the individual’s family: “May my heartbeat always be a gentle reminder of the love I have for you.”
Ms. Beglarian said she discovered the idea on Pinterest about 18 months ago. Since then, most of the nurses in her unit have adopted the practice.
“[The EKG strip] tells a story of the patient — it’s something of their life and their legacy,” Ms. Beglarian told KSL TV. “Some [families] are very tearful and have really appreciated it — especially, I think, for our younger patients who unfortunately have passed on.”
Ms. Beglarian said the gesture also brings her solace as a nurse.
“You know, [nurses are] human as well,” she told KSL TV. “[A patient’s’ death] affects us, too, and we really do care about the patients and their family members.”
More articles on patient engagement:
Most patients don’t disclose relevant information to clinicians, study finds
60% of older patients don’t want to discuss life expectancy, survey finds
Care decision-makers often overly confident about loved ones’ treatment wishes
