This nurse is extremely patient, compassionate, and understanding of patients’ needs. She goes above the scope of the visits to ensure our patients are cared for and comfortable. She is a staple of our team. This nurse went to a complicated patient’s home today. The patient had been refusing to allow his HHA to clean him for several days. This nurse was able to take her time with the patient, and had him agree to allow her to clean him. This nurse spent the time to ensure that she cleaned his wounds and provided education, in hopes that the patient would be more compliant with personal hygiene with the help of his aide to prevent infection.

This nurse has an astute ability to perceive patients’ and families’ unique situations, and her kind communication reflects an understanding of their feelings. She is also fluent in Spanish, which is a benefit for the growing population of Hispanic patients and caregivers. For example, she was seeing a patient for a cough, but she suspected the patient had not been well cared for. In this difficult situation, this nurse maintained her usual caring and calm communication, and she established the patient’s trust. Her astute assessment and intervention helped to uncover a neglectful situation so the proper intervention could be implemented for a vulnerable patient. This nurse’s assessment skills are accurate, she asks important questions, and she often identifies subtle findings that are critical for the provider’s plan of care.

Overall, this nurse is a valuable exemplary member of the VPS team, and her patients often comment on the positive impact she has during her rapid response to their acute medical problem.

It is my honor to present this DAISY Award to Aurelia Arocho.