It is with great honor that I nominate Heather Mitchell for the DAISY Award.
Ms. Mitchell is one of the ICU's most dedicated charge nurses and I hope the following example will help demonstrate her CARING attitude towards our Veterans.
Ms. Mitchell was in charge and a unique situation presented itself to her. A Veteran was in hospice care in the ICU and nearing the end of life. The family requested that he pass away with a window open. Understanding the importance of this cultural request, Ms. Mitchell set to work to solve the problem. None of the ICU windows open which presented a challenge. Ms. Mitchell explored other avenues with nursing leadership. Could the Veteran be taken to the Rose Garden?
Ms. Mitchell worked in our Community Living Center and remembered that the windows in Hospice open for this very reason. Ms. Mitchell organized respiratory therapy, the nursing leadership in hospice and arranged for the Veteran to be transported to our Hospice unit. Once there the patient was taken off support and passed away peacefully and comfortably while honoring the cultural requests from the family.
Ms. Mitchell is a fierce advocate for our Veterans, her attentive and caring demeanor make her a top-notch nurse. She often goes toe to toe with the ICU CNM to ensure both Veterans, and Nurses, receive the care, respect, and value they are afforded.