MICU: An amazing, compassionate team

The Bronson Methodist Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit was selected as the 2025 DAISY Team Award

Teamwork in healthcare is crucial for delivering excellent patient care and improving outcomes. It also plays a vital role in maintaining morale in the medical ICU, where the patient population is very sick, and deaths are frequent. We often encounter people on some of the worst days of their lives. However, the teamwork within our unit fosters a supportive environment that helps us navigate the tough days together.

Here is one example of how our unit came together to benefit patient care:

• We had a patient admitted who was very upset about being in the hospital, as his son was getting married that weekend. Night shift reported Saturday morning that the patient would not be having any visitors that day, as his family would all be at the wedding. He was in a bit of a sour mood all day and not doing as well medically. His nurse was concerned that she was going to have to call his wife during the ceremony and deliver bad medical news. Thankfully, the nurse did not have to do that and was happy to see that the patient’s wife ending up coming in to visit after the ceremony, dressed up in her mother of the groom dress. The next day, the patient’s son and new daughter-in-law came to the hospital in full wedding attire to visit the patient. When our nursing staff saw the new daughter-in-law in her wedding dress and son in his tuxedo, they immediately decided they wanted to make this a special day for the patient - doing what they could to bring his spirits up and help him feel included in the wedding festivities, even while hospitalized. The team ran down to the cafeteria to try to find something that could resemble a wedding cake. Several team members worked together to compile some desserts (like rainbow sprinkle cookies and other treats from the gift shop) as well as a special concocted apple juice + 7 up “champagne” toast. The team also collaborated with the respiratory team on a plan to have the patient removed from Bipap for a short time so he could participate in a celebratory toast to the newlyweds. Although the patient was still sad about being in the hospital and missing the wedding, he was very grateful to have been able to have a celebratory “drink” with the family. Seeing this young couple, newly married, sitting on a hospital unit, spending time with their family when at their sickest, was inspiring. Our hope was that we could give them something sweet to remember, and I believe we achieved that. 

Here are a few other examples that showcase how amazing MICU staff is:

• There have been several days of scheduling issues with call-ins, and everyone is flexible with changing assignments. Sometimes even taking charge when that isn't their typical role because there is no one else to do it.
• A patient of size was admitted and required dressing changes for wounds. Being a smaller unit, it was difficult to always get the staff required for these changes. We continuously rearranged things to provide that patient with the care they needed and the primary nurse with the support they needed.
• A difficult psych patient that required 1:1 supervision was admitted to the unit several times. This patient would not stay in their room and would often put themselves in danger when walking around the unit. This patient did even physically assault one of the nurses. However, the staff came together and took turns, while still providing the care they needed, while waiting for bed placement.
• Our leadership consistently rounds on the unit and helps when needed. There have been days that the unit coordinators have come back from meetings to the unit being in complete chaos, so they jump right in to help.

On top of these specific instances, there are so many instances of staff helping each other with tasks without having to ask. From giving meds when someone is busy in another room, to helping with insulin drips that require hourly glucose checks…from watching assignments so other patients can be taken to CT scans and MRIs, to helping with clean ups and baths ... this team is always willing to lend a hand. We even started a teamwork award on the unit for people to recognize one another. There is a submission box on the unit and all of the nominations each month are displayed. One nomination from each shift is chosen as the winner for that month.

Outside of the hospital, we also support each other in our personal lives. We have started having quarterly unit outings that have helped improve morale and improve relationships across the unit. We also have done many baby showers to support our staff members welcoming new additions, along with some bridal showers to support those getting married.

The MICU team truly exemplifies outstanding teamwork and dedication despite the challenges of working with such critically ill patients in high-stress situations. It is truly an incredibly special place to work.