Gabi Mejia
August 2020
Gabriela
Mejia
,
BSN, RN Clinical Nurse
Progressive Care Unit
Jefferson Methodist Hospital
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
As a rapid response nurse, I have the privilege of rotating between the Center City Campus and the Jefferson Methodist Campuses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have experienced several different emotions I have been involved in and have witnessed both joyous and heart-wrenching situations. I would like to nominate Gabriela Mieja for The DAISY Award. When the pandemic hit full force I had a week of vacation. I returned to a whole new world of iPads and baby monitors. It was surreal and overwhelming. Throughout this pandemic, there is one patient situation that is etched in my memory and a compassionate nurse I will never forget. Mr. B was admitted frequently to JMH and his condition got worse after admission.
The morning after this happened, Gabriela Meija was his nurse. Mr. B. had 2 daughters, who were unable to visit due to circumstances beyond their control. During my morning rounds, Gabi informed me that Mr. B. was not doing well. She informed me he was concerned about his daughter who was very ill and needed to speak to both of them. She told me that the doctors were trying to arrange a family meeting; however, she feared he condition was getting worse. One of Mr. B's daughters had an iPad. His other daughter did not have smartphone and did not have a way to set up a 3-way call. Throughout the day, Gabi made several phone calls with his first daughter trying to arrange for his other daughter to obtain an iPad to FaceTime her father while providing care and emotional support to Mr. B and to his two daughters over the phone. Later in the day, Gabi supported Mr. B. when he made the decision that he did not want to be intubated and decided to transition to hospice. Realizing that his time was limited, he wanted to speak to his 2 daughters one last time.
It became evident that having a 3-way conversation for Mr. B was not going to happen via FaceTime. Gabi arranged using her own cell phone on speaker to reach the daughters via FaceTime. With the PCU Rover phone, and her own cell phone on speaker with Mr. B's daughters, he was able to say goodbye to both his daughters together. After the phone call, Mr. B peacefully passed away that evening.
***
While caring for her patients, Gabi goes above and beyond to provide comfort and support. One particular patient, Ms. M, stands out in my mind. Ms. M is chronically ill and does require a lot of care. Gabby did it all, plus some, and with genuine joy and a smile. Gabi facilitated comfort and gave Ms. M "some love" as she put it. Gabi was able to wash and style her hair. She also kept Ms. M's mother updated and was able to do FaceTime. Ms. M's mother praised Gabi as a wonderful person and found comfort in the fact that Ms. M was in great hands with Gabi as her nurse.
The morning after this happened, Gabriela Meija was his nurse. Mr. B. had 2 daughters, who were unable to visit due to circumstances beyond their control. During my morning rounds, Gabi informed me that Mr. B. was not doing well. She informed me he was concerned about his daughter who was very ill and needed to speak to both of them. She told me that the doctors were trying to arrange a family meeting; however, she feared he condition was getting worse. One of Mr. B's daughters had an iPad. His other daughter did not have smartphone and did not have a way to set up a 3-way call. Throughout the day, Gabi made several phone calls with his first daughter trying to arrange for his other daughter to obtain an iPad to FaceTime her father while providing care and emotional support to Mr. B and to his two daughters over the phone. Later in the day, Gabi supported Mr. B. when he made the decision that he did not want to be intubated and decided to transition to hospice. Realizing that his time was limited, he wanted to speak to his 2 daughters one last time.
It became evident that having a 3-way conversation for Mr. B was not going to happen via FaceTime. Gabi arranged using her own cell phone on speaker to reach the daughters via FaceTime. With the PCU Rover phone, and her own cell phone on speaker with Mr. B's daughters, he was able to say goodbye to both his daughters together. After the phone call, Mr. B peacefully passed away that evening.
***
While caring for her patients, Gabi goes above and beyond to provide comfort and support. One particular patient, Ms. M, stands out in my mind. Ms. M is chronically ill and does require a lot of care. Gabby did it all, plus some, and with genuine joy and a smile. Gabi facilitated comfort and gave Ms. M "some love" as she put it. Gabi was able to wash and style her hair. She also kept Ms. M's mother updated and was able to do FaceTime. Ms. M's mother praised Gabi as a wonderful person and found comfort in the fact that Ms. M was in great hands with Gabi as her nurse.