Reuniting patient with missing wedding ring

Asher Smoote, patient care assistant at UCHealth Memorial Hospital North, was caring for a patient going through a difficult time. Recovering for longer than anticipated, the patient and his family members felt anxious about needing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

As a safety precaution, the patient removed all of his jewelry before entering the MRI exam room. Shortly after his scan was complete, he realized his wedding ring was missing. That caused significant distress for him and his family.

When Smoote was informed of the patient’s missing jewelry, he notified leadership and colleagues. The heartfelt search for the missing ring began.

“Usually, if jewelry is taken off, it comes up in a specimen container,” said Smoote. “But we didn’t see that.”

Several people were looking to no avail. They searched the exam room, called down to surgery and talked with transport. No one knew anything about a missing ring.

After a long search, Smoote had an idea of where it could be – the patient’s paper chart.

Smoote went to the nurses’ station where cubbies lined the wall. Among a stack of clipped leather bound folders, he found the patient’s file. He opened it up and to his delight, found the patient’s wedding ring. The platinum band with brown stone inlay was safely secured in a plastic bio bag.

Smoote proudly notified Leslie Tronnes, clinical nurse manager, of his finding. The two then proceeded to hand-deliver the wedding ring to the patient and his family.

“They were happy,” Smoote recalled of reuniting their personal belonging.

“…Together, we returned the ring to the patient and his wife. The wife’s joy was palpable as she shared her relief – she had been told the ring might have needed to be cut off during surgery. Instead, the wedding band, a treasured symbol of love, was back in pristine condition.’’

Tronnes recognized Smoote in a Celebrating You recognition:

“Asher’s commitment to his patients, his pleasant demeanor, and his willingness to connect with those he serves makes him an invaluable member of our team. Thank you, Asher, for embodying the spirit of compassion and dedication that defines our care.”