Hospice nurse shares insight on working amid pandemic

Hospice nurses have made it their mission to keep patience calm and comfortable as they approach the end of their life.

For Mike Breese, nurse with EveryStep Hospice in Mt. Pleasant, the job has an added challenge during a global pandemic.

'Our services in general on the hospice side haven't been reduced at all,” he said, adding nurses are still able to see patients in all facilities. However, with the threat of a pandemic, many patients have added stress.

So far, Breese said he has not had a patient with COVID-19 but has still had to partake in a number of added precautions. Before he meets with patients, his temperature is taken, a face mask, gloves and goggles are put on.

Most facilities have a quarantined designated section for patients who either have COVID-19 or are suspected to have symptoms, he said. Breese does have one patient with symptoms who is currently in this part of the facility.

'I am able to in and be a liaison for the family,” he said, adding only staff are allowed in.

In this case, Breese said he does video calls with the patient where they reach out to friends, family and even doctors.

Although they are not able to physically be with family, Reese said he feels this has helped both the patient and their family cope. The situation has caused more stress than normal for most families.

Patients are struggling with the pandemic, too, he said. Many of them are constantly watching the news and frightened by what they hear but Reese said his job is to keep them calm and listen to their concerns.

'It's a lot of reassurance on our end,” he said.

Although visitations are limited to staff, Breese said he is able to get patients access to mental health care and anything else they may need via telehealth. Especially when they are struggling with the impact of COVID-19, this is incredibly beneficial he said.

Overall, Breese said the best medicine he has found is to be a listening ear for those struggling and provide them with reassurance their voices are being heard and they have everything they need and want.

'That's what we have to do in general for our patients. We meet them where they're at with their grieving process,” he said.