Anthony Lucito, RN began as a new graduate nurse in telemetry in August of 2019. Anthony demonstrates the extraordinary skills and characteristics of a DAISY Nurse on an everyday basis. When Anthony began his nursing career, he demonstrated how patient-centered he is, and was consistently recognized by patients and their families. Anthony spends all of his time with our patients at the bedside, he is never idle. Anthony always prioritizes the needs of the patients and maintains professionalism in all interactions. No matter how busy he is, no matter what obstacles he faces throughout his day, he demonstrates teamwork and leadership. He has a positive attitude during all interactions. Anthony has a calm demeanor which eases the anxieties of the patients and of his fellow team members. He always ensures that patients and their families are informed and aware of all situations. He collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure safe and effective patient care.
This past week Anthony was providing care to a patient who had a small hematoma on her leg, which she was not admitted for. She was having frequent bowel movements, complaining of increased abdominal pain, and was extremely anxious. Anthony escalated all of the patient's symptoms early in the day, ensured the proper consults were called and eased her anxieties throughout the day. As the day progressed Anthony performed frequent assessments of the hematoma. The hematoma was growing, and Anthony was concerned. He collaborated with the case managers, the physicians, the numerous consults, and the floor-based nurse practitioner. He reached out to the rapid response nurse practitioner and ensured that everyone was aware of the situation.
By the afternoon, the patient's hematoma had grown exponentially. At this point, the patient was extremely anxious. Anthony spoke calmly to the patient, preparing her for the multiple people that would be entering the room. As a reflection of this, the patient was calm as the team came in to assess and determine her needs. His quick thinking and sound clinical skills led to quick and effective treatment of the patient. The patient became more anxious during the rapid response. Anthony asked the patient what her favorite music was, to which she replied "60s music". Anthony turned on the Amazon Alexa and played 60s music in the background. The patient had a central line placed and needed multiple STAT transfusions, all the while conversing with Anthony.
The patient, obviously very comfortable with Anthony, felt safe because he stayed with her every step of the way. The patient was later upgraded. Anthony was consumed with this patient for much of the afternoon, he never once complained or lost his calm and collected demeanor. He properly delegated the needs of his other patients to the charge nurse to ensure they were also well cared for. Anthony knew that he was the calming force this particular patient needed, as she increasingly became more unstable. Anthony demonstrates this behavior each and every day on the unit. He is always willing to help others.
Anthony never shies away from complex patients or complex family situations. Recently, there was a patient whose family had multiple family members that requested information. The patient was disoriented and did not have a health care proxy, so information was being distributed to each family member due to their own family complexities. He ensured that every single family member received updates. Even after being told by the nurse manager that the family was called regarding a particular situation that evolved, he followed up and called them again. That is the type of nurse Anthony is. He always maintains closed-loop communication and utilizes the RELaTE model. As a novice nurse, Anthony has always demonstrated extraordinary characteristics, you would never think that he was a new graduate.
Anthony checks on every team member, even the charge nurses, to help in any way he can. During the COVID crisis, Anthony offered help and support to the team. Although scared for his own health and the health of his family at home, Anthony came in shift after shift to ensure our patients were cared for. He often stayed late to ensure that our patients' needs were met and that the oncoming nurse was settled. He never lost his composure or his priority, the patients. Anthony was flexible with staffing and helping other team members to ensure the unit was always covered.
Anthony recently started precepting other nurses. He teaches in the same manner that he cares for his patients. He is compassionate, kind and empathetic. Anthony is a resource for new team members and very approachable. Aside from being recognized by patients and their families, he is frequently recognized by his peers. Anthony is always willing to participate in new initiatives and in joint commission prep. His chart was recently chosen for tracer rounds and although nervous, as it was his first time, he demonstrated clinical knowledge and ease while reviewing the chart. Anthony holds himself and others accountable. He truly has a passion for the nursing field. Anthony is the type of nurse I would want to care for myself and my family. We are so lucky to have him on our team and I am sure his future is bright in the nursing profession!