An elderly patient who was recently admitted with a left hip decubitus ulcer with an overlying eschar. Her son was the surrogate decision-maker for her and was refusing the bedside debridement recommended by the surgeons. The case initially belonged to another physician but was passed to me when I came on service. After considerable discussion, we eventually decided to pursue guardianship for the patient. Several family meetings were held leading up to this, and on more than one occasion, Glenna made it a point to attend. It was critical for her, I think, to be as informed as possible about what direction the attending staff were taking on this case, and she clearly demonstrated how much she wanted to be involved. I find this exemplary simply because the conversations we had with the patient's son were often challenging and even abrasive. So at a time when it would have been much easier to simply stand down and not be a part of such discussions, she made a concerted effort to be involved. To be honest, I don't think I've ever had a nurse join me for such a family discussion - I think she deserves credit for this - specifically because she didn't have to be there.

Glenna gave impeccable care to the patient in question. Because of the active/ongoing infection, the room was often malodorous, which no doubt made it difficult to tend to this very ill lady. She took all the necessary steps to ensure that she could still do her job and provide for this woman. I believe one of the hardest things to do as a clinician is to continue to provide care for a patient who you feel is "getting nowhere." Up until we attained guardianship for this patient, she certainly wasn't progressing in any direction. Glenna was not daunted - she gave my housestaff regular updates and continued to tend to the patient as best as she could.

My housestaff often joke with me since I am a med/psych attending, I sometimes end up with the hardest of the hardest admissions - the ones where there aren't simple clinical decisions to be made, but lots of social and legal matters to take into account, as well. I'm sure that they are not the only ones who feel the stress that comes with this - nursing must feel it directly as well. Glenna has shared many of these often overwhelming patients of mine recently and has done a fine job in caring for them.

Glenna is certainly deserving of the DAISY Award.