Dianne Rios

At Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital, the patients have extended stays.

The nurses become familiar with the patients and their families. It is not uncommon for them to go the extra mile while taking care of both the patient and the family. The following story is the reason I believe Dianne Rios, an RN in the Intensive Care Unit at Highsmith-Rainey, is deserving of the DAISY Award.

In October 2009, Highsmith ICU had a relatively young patient whose condition deteriorated over the course of a week. While all of the nurses were commended for their compassion, the family named one nurse for her extraordinary compassion and care of the patient during the weekend before he passed away.This nurse, Dianne, gave compassionate care to both the patient and his extended family. During the weekend, on Saturday, the patient celebrated a birthday with his family present. His condition deteriorated over the rest of the weekend. Dianne listened as they told her stories about the patient. She showed extra concern and compassion for the patient’s wife who was wheelchair bound allowing her to stay as long as she wished. She allowed unlimited visiting during the weekend as well as unlimited visitors. She encouraged them to continue to talk to the patient explaining that he could very well hear them.

The day after his birthday, Dianne was again caring for the patient. She knew his condition was deteriorating and asked her coworker to pray with her at the beginning of the shift. The patient passed away during the shift. Dianne allowed the family to stay with the patient the entire time so they were present when the he passed away. Again Dianne was there to support both the patient and the family in any way she could.

It is often difficult for the nurses to deal with a patient’s death since they grow attached to both the patient and the family in the Long Term Acute Care atmosphere. It was more difficult this weekend since they were caring for a younger patient with younger family members. Dianne’s actions were especially commendable given the emotional state of the family and the grieving that progressed through the weekend.