Darlene Morlan
May 2021
Darlene
Morlan
,
LPN
Center for Disabilities and Development
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
IOWA CITY
,
IA
United States
Darlene was deeply concerned, stopped what she was doing and assessed and consoled the child.
Congratulations to our May DAISY Award winner, Darlene Morlan, LPN, Center for Disabilities and Development. She was nominated by a colleague, who wrote:
I would like to nominate Darlene Morlan from the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) Nursing Team as a deserving recipient of The DAISY Award. This nurse’s extraordinary compassion and clinical skill exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.
Darlene consistently demonstrates innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence in all she does. In addition, she approaches her patient care with compassion, care, making genuine connections with her patients, advocating for excellence, safety, and quality care. She works diligently to individualize her care and continually strives to improve her skills and knowledge.
In this example, she was performing what would be a routine daily task: Rooming a patient, checking height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, etc. Darlene went to measure the child’s length and the child let out a yell, as if she had been hurt. Darlene was deeply concerned, stopped what she was doing and assessed and consoled the child.
The child was fine, but while pausing to comfort and reassure the child, Darlene took the time to speak further with the parent who shared the child’s diagnosis, pertinent concerns, and an experience they had with other care providers that left a lasting impression. According to the parent, the child had a history of having a bone broken during routine care/exam. Darlene was mortified to hear of this occurring. She successfully and cautiously finished the care based on this new information. The parent was appreciative of her taking time to listen and adapt her care approach, based on the child’s specific needs. The appointment went well, and the child was kept safe. You would think that would be the ending. Not for a professional like Darlene who goes above and beyond.
This occurrence weighed heavy on her. She wanted to find a way that this would never happen again. That ALL UIHC staff members and clinicians would know immediately about the child’s diagnosis and special care needs. She knew that a typical ‘FYI’ note would not be enough; people may miss the important information. She reached out to one of the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians at CDD for advice on how to proceed.
The provider suggested a Best Practice Advisory for this patient. This would be a message that pops up every time the child’s Epic record is opened, for all care providers to see. Darlene then reached out to our Epic Support Specialist at CDD for help, she contacted the Patient Care Advisory Committee and presented the case to them. Darlene then called Orthopedics to get advice on possible suggestions to include in the Patient Care Advisory message, based on the child’s condition. Darlene communicated and collaborated thoroughly and patiently. A draft message was created.
At this point, the Nurse Manager was made aware of Darlene’s actions and extensive planning that had taken place to protect this child and provide safe, quality care. The NM was asked to call the parent and inform them of Darlene’s idea, review the message and seek permission/approval to add to the child’s chart. The NM called the parent and explained what steps Darlene had taken since the appointment/discussion, to try and assure it never occurs again. The parent was absolutely blown away and so very appreciative. She raved about Darlene, shared her appreciation for her care/concern/compassion provided, for her admirable follow-up actions to go above and beyond on behalf of the child, and for the outstanding nurse she is. Darlene took it upon herself to use every ICARE value to make an enormous difference for this child and family and the care they will receive here at UIHC for years to come. She saw the patient as an individual first, not just a diagnosis. She saw an opportunity to provide extraordinary service and took the time to do just that.
One DAISY is not enough, Darlene deserves a whole bouquet!
I would like to nominate Darlene Morlan from the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) Nursing Team as a deserving recipient of The DAISY Award. This nurse’s extraordinary compassion and clinical skill exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.
Darlene consistently demonstrates innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence in all she does. In addition, she approaches her patient care with compassion, care, making genuine connections with her patients, advocating for excellence, safety, and quality care. She works diligently to individualize her care and continually strives to improve her skills and knowledge.
In this example, she was performing what would be a routine daily task: Rooming a patient, checking height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, etc. Darlene went to measure the child’s length and the child let out a yell, as if she had been hurt. Darlene was deeply concerned, stopped what she was doing and assessed and consoled the child.
The child was fine, but while pausing to comfort and reassure the child, Darlene took the time to speak further with the parent who shared the child’s diagnosis, pertinent concerns, and an experience they had with other care providers that left a lasting impression. According to the parent, the child had a history of having a bone broken during routine care/exam. Darlene was mortified to hear of this occurring. She successfully and cautiously finished the care based on this new information. The parent was appreciative of her taking time to listen and adapt her care approach, based on the child’s specific needs. The appointment went well, and the child was kept safe. You would think that would be the ending. Not for a professional like Darlene who goes above and beyond.
This occurrence weighed heavy on her. She wanted to find a way that this would never happen again. That ALL UIHC staff members and clinicians would know immediately about the child’s diagnosis and special care needs. She knew that a typical ‘FYI’ note would not be enough; people may miss the important information. She reached out to one of the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians at CDD for advice on how to proceed.
The provider suggested a Best Practice Advisory for this patient. This would be a message that pops up every time the child’s Epic record is opened, for all care providers to see. Darlene then reached out to our Epic Support Specialist at CDD for help, she contacted the Patient Care Advisory Committee and presented the case to them. Darlene then called Orthopedics to get advice on possible suggestions to include in the Patient Care Advisory message, based on the child’s condition. Darlene communicated and collaborated thoroughly and patiently. A draft message was created.
At this point, the Nurse Manager was made aware of Darlene’s actions and extensive planning that had taken place to protect this child and provide safe, quality care. The NM was asked to call the parent and inform them of Darlene’s idea, review the message and seek permission/approval to add to the child’s chart. The NM called the parent and explained what steps Darlene had taken since the appointment/discussion, to try and assure it never occurs again. The parent was absolutely blown away and so very appreciative. She raved about Darlene, shared her appreciation for her care/concern/compassion provided, for her admirable follow-up actions to go above and beyond on behalf of the child, and for the outstanding nurse she is. Darlene took it upon herself to use every ICARE value to make an enormous difference for this child and family and the care they will receive here at UIHC for years to come. She saw the patient as an individual first, not just a diagnosis. She saw an opportunity to provide extraordinary service and took the time to do just that.
One DAISY is not enough, Darlene deserves a whole bouquet!