Holly is a nurse supervisor. She was recognized for taking the time to truly listen to a patient with very special needs. She went above and beyond to develop a plan of care centered around the patient's meals and medication. She worked closely with the patient to ensure that the plan met his needs and took the time to make sure everyone on the care team fully understood the plan. Holly's actions allowed this patient to earn a better understanding of his illness and develop a better plan for care upon discharge.

Holly Delatte
RN
Nurse Supervisor
Transitional Care Unit
Healer
Guide
Collaborator
Leader
A patient was admitted with cellulits. The patient had difficulty accepting his illness, the change in his environment, lack of control over his diet and the timing and amount of his insulin dose. He continually self-medicated with insulin, and routinely went into episodes of hypoglycemia. The patient wanted to leave the hospital against medical advice. The family was little help in calming the patient. After sitting with the patient and listening to his needs, I quickly realized that he was calmed with patience and listening. We devised a plan together consisting of a meal time plan and a medication time that was agreeable to him and was acceptable to his physicians. I communicated the plan with the rest of our team members and set the plan in motion, offering day to day support for the team.

The patient agreed to stay on our unit for the entire course of his antibiotics. He agreed to have the endocrinologist treat him, lowering the dose of insulin. The staff was finally able to care for him. This patient taught me patience and tolerance.