Although it was decades ago, I served as an RN in Critical Care, Open heart, and Recovery working in 3 different states. My husband is a retired anesthesiologist. This is said not to toot my own horn, but rather to put knowledgeable emphasis on true excellence in nursing care that demands recognition when observed from an experienced, personal perspective as a critically ill patient.

In fall, it became obvious that an Emergency Room was where I needed to be ASAP. Having been at the Flagler facility years ago with urgent needs, your Emergency Room did not disappoint. It is still worth the hour drive from Putnam County. As an active 74-year-old who had completed a 20-mile pedal assist trike ride just the day before arriving at the emergency room (!!!), I found myself on the patient side of septic shock and acute kidney repercussions from an 11mm stone. Having seen full blown Septic Shock with successful… or dismal results many times in years past, avoiding a dire outcome only happens with swift team action applying proven protocols in timely manner. Highly capable teams of nurses from the ER to MICU & back navigated me through the jungle of arterial lines, vasopressors to keep blood pressure up, IV antibiotics, diagnostics, a trip to the operating suite to place a kidney stint, etc. As a group, the nurse teams were top notch and on task, but in short, in my heart I know their actions prevented my slipping below that “red line” between life and well….not life. I am blessed by their actions and thankful!

Due to a specific incident, there is a nurse who stood out on top of that mountain of excellent nursing teams. When seconds counted, there was Nurse Daniel in the MICU. Allow me to explain the dramatic event: For many hours I had been on IV pressers to keep the blood pressure up. During the last bit of the day shift, my blood pressure spiked to 200 systolic into stroke territory. The day nurse mentioned it to me. I already knew it was NO aberration of the arterial line as my head felt like my brain was suddenly exploding out of my head.

Nurse Daniel promptly began his night shift by gently asking how I was feeling and really listening. He informed me he was going to do a neuro exam. It was thorough starting with “what is your name, age, birthday”, progressing to “where are you, why are you here” then moving on to pupil check, tactile checks, eye movement, and strength comparisons. Thus, my statement of “when seconds counted, there was Nurse Daniel”. At that unique moment in time, had a stroke really been impending, it was the optimum time for quick action. Otherwise, all the excellent teamwork up to that point could have either been for naught or negatively impacted quality of life already assaulted by the ravages of septic shock and kidney injury.

I simply cannot express my comfort level and gratitude knowing he was an angel there watching through the night. Thank you, Daniel!