While visiting from out of state, our son got a nasty laceration to his foot on the rocks of a jetty while fishing. Though moderate to high functioning, he is autistic, and this kind of situation is terrifying for him. The staff, nurses, and providers were extremely attentive and understanding. They encouraged him with gentle care, but also always showed up in number for procedures to ensure his safety in the event of a meltdown. Because of their understanding and attentiveness, any number of potential meltdowns were avoided. They also did not hesitate to provide an appropriate level of sedation, which saved him emotional trauma and a likely reduction in ability to properly clean and suture the wound if they had chosen to restrain him instead. As an ER nurse myself, I fully understand the extra caregiver time and room space his level of care necessitates. At no point did any of the staff, nurses, or providers make us feel like the attention he needed was a burden in any way. Thanks to their obvious appreciation for his needs, his visit was extremely positive. A specific thank you and shout out to his primary nurse, Angela, for being a champion of all the aforementioned care; thank you for not hesitating to pursue the best level of care for him. We are so grateful we chose this ER for his needs.
Note: This is Angela's 2nd DAISY Award!