PALMERSTON – Grand River Hospital (GRH) celebrated World Kidney Day on March 10 by recognizing dialysis unit nurses at its satellite location here for going “the extra mile” to serve patients in the wake of a recent winter storm.
A severe storm swept through the region on Feb. 19, forcing closure of all roads in Wellington County and making it impossible for dialysis patients and nurses to get to the Palmerston and District Hospital to receive and provide treatment.
Two registered nurses, Jean Anderson and Shelagh Magee, contacted each patient scheduled to change their treatment to the following day, Sunday, even though the unit would normally be closed.
Cindy Ostell, another unit nurse, joined them to open up the dialysis unit on Feb. 20 to provide treatment to all of the rescheduled patients.
“Dialysis patients receive life-saving dialysis treatments three times a week,” stated Heidi Ziegler, clinical manager for the renal program at GRH.
“Missing a treatment for more than three days could make them very unwell and has the potential to put them into an emergency health situation.”
Registered nurses Jean Anderson, left, and Cindy Ostell. Submitted photo
James Bellamy, director of the regional renal program at GRH, said the three nurses “went above and beyond to implement an emergency plan for our dialysis patients.
“Their care and compassion for patients fuelled this self-directed initiative.”
He continued, “We are very proud of the extended efforts of our renal nurses in the satellite unit and cannot thank them enough for their tremendous flexibility and care they demonstrate to patients.”
“It was a nasty day” Anderson told the Advertiser, noting her husband, David Anderson drove her through the storm to reach the hospital.
“It was fortunate that I could get there as we don’t have patients’ contact info at home due to confidentiality issues.”
Anderson added, “We think of these patients as part of our extended family and we worry if they miss a treatment.
“We were glad we could arrive at a reasonable solution for them and keep them close to home.”
