Canton Hospital Aide Brings Skype Of Funeral To Grieving Patient

CANTON, GA – Kyle Porter, a patient relations representative at Northside Hospital-Cherokee, was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Award on Nov. 2 at an annual luncheon in Atlanta hosted by the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA).

Porter, one of only five health care workers statewide to receive the award, was recognized "for her innovative efforts in bringing a family together for a funeral," the GHA said in a statement.

In her role as a patient relations representative, Porter works to ensure patients have everything they need to recover and to ensure their stay in the hospital is as pleasant as possible. She is a friend to patients and community members alike, keeping in touch with former patients, the GHA said.

"One example of Porter’s generosity is seen in her care of a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU)," the GHA said. "The patient was going through a difficult recovery process and was simultaneously dealing with the grief of the recent death of a parent.

"While recovering, the patient also unexpectedly lost a brother," the statement added. "His grief worsened his condition and he became frustrated and anxious at the thought of not being able to see his brother put to rest."

Because the patient was in such fragile health, he could not leave the hospital. Porter explored several means of transporting the patient to the funeral, from having him ride in an ambulance to having the funeral procession with immediate family come to the hospital, the GHA said.

She turned to modern technology to bring the funeral to the patient. Porter "obtained permission for the first-time use of Skype by the hospital and found a family member who agreed to hold up a cell phone during the funeral," the GHA said.

She also worked with the hospital's chaplain to secure its chapel so her patient could virtually “attend” the funeral in a private and peaceful space, the GHA added. Since then, Northside Hospital-Cherokee has used Skype many times to allow patients to be part of family milestones while hospitalized.

“Kyle Porter’s innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box have taken patient care to another level,” GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers said in the statement. “She has a remarkable ability to connect with her patients, and we are pleased to recognize her outstanding efforts with this award.”

Northside Hospital-Cherokee is at 450 Northside Cherokee Blvd. in Canton.

Founded in 1929, GHA serves more than 170 hospitals in Georgia and promotes the health and welfare of the public through the development of better hospital care for all of Georgia’s citizens.

GHA represents its members before the General Assembly and Congress, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies, and is an allied member of the American Hospital Association. For more information, please call 770-249-4500 or click here.

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Release: Georgia Hospital Association

Image: GHA President and CEO Earl Rogers, left, and GHA Chairman John Haupert, right, present the Georgia Hospital Association's Hospital Hero Award to Kyle Porter (GHA).