Ann Smith, RN Cardiology
On the 6th floor (Cardiology) a patient that was falling all of the time, especially when she turned her head a certain way. Ann recognized that the patient could be made safe by putting her in a room where all objects were oriented in a fashion that did not make the patient turn that way, and subsequently, decreased the amount of falls and potential for injury and embarrassment the patient was facing. The patient had been on the unit already for a few days, and no other nurse came up this idea. The patient and colleagues were impressed by this innovative thinking. Ann always provides compassionate care either through suggestions to other staff (when she is charge nurse) or when she is caring for her own patients. She pays attention to the “little things” the patients need by overall examining barriers to provide those things they need and providing innovative solutions to overcome those barriers to carry out making patients and families feel at home.