On World Kidney Day, we are celebrating dialysis nurses at the Grand River Hospital (GRH) satellite location in Palmerston and recognizing their courage to go the extra mile to ensure that patients did not miss out on treatments because of the weather.
On Saturday, February 19, 2022, a significant winter storm swept through Waterloo Region, forcing the temporary closure of all roads in Wellington County. It was impossible for dialysis patients and nurses to get to the unit in Palmerston to receive and provide treatment.
“Dialysis patients receive life-saving dialysis treatments three times a week. 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,” explained Heidi Ziegler, clinical manager for the renal program at GRH.
Two unit registered nurses (RN), Jean Anderson and Shelagh Magee, contacted each patient scheduled to change their treatment to the following day, Sunday, despite the fact that the unit would be closed. Cindy Ostell, another unit nurse, joined them to open up the dialysis unit that Sunday to provide treatment to all of the rescheduled patients.
“These three nurses went above and beyond to implement an emergency plan for our dialysis patients. Their care and compassion for patients fueled this self-directed initiative,” said James Bellamy, director of the regional renal program at GRH. “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,” he added.
