The 5400-nursing team is an extraordinary group of individuals who go above and beyond their call of duty every day. Their remarkable teamwork and outstanding contributions to patient care have had a profound impact on the lives of countless patients and their families.

I will continue by highlighting a specific special case that resulted in a great outcome, making this one of the many reasons why I believe the 5400 nursing team deserves this prestigious award.

Recently, 5400 received a 37-year-old male who was downgraded from the ICU. This 37-year-old male (BL) was brought to NYU by ambulance after being found unresponsive due to a suspected overdose. He was admitted to the ICU, where he was intubated and was connected to every line imaginable. His condition was complicated by Rhabdo, seizures, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, pneumonia, sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis of the sacrum. His CTA also showed a left frontal infarct. When we received BL, he had been extubated but still had a urinary catheter, rectal tube, IVs, and a huge undermining sacral decubiti, which had been debrided several times. He was nonverbal and pulling at all his lines and catheters. He was placed on a constant observation to ensure that he would not interfere with treatment and ensure safety. Our biggest challenge was caring for his large sacral decubiti he had, which had been debrided several times. He was placed on a special air loss mattress and was turned and positioned often. He was being followed by the wound/ostomy team. The nurses worked feverishly each day to care for him and made sure his dressings were changed and maintained clean. There were many conversations as a team related to what would be the plan for BL during our discharge huddles as he was undocumented and uninsured. The logical and suggested plan was for him to receive a flap to repair the sacral decubiti. However, the barrier to this plan was that he had no insurance. As time went on BL was showing remarkable improvement. He became more responsive every day, eventually regaining his speech. He was able to greet the staff and verbalize his needs. The staff started taking him out of bed to chair, then he eventually was able to walk with minimally assistance to the bathroom. He would press the call bell and ask to go to the bathroom at this point. He was taken off constant observation placed on VCO and later taken off. His sacral decubiti also become remarkably much better thanks to the excellent care of the staff. As BL continued to make great improvements, the challenge remained: what would be the discharge plan for him? The social work and case manager team in partnership with the nursing team played a key role in planning his care post discharge. The team continuously advocated strongly for BL and his care. They questioned if the suggested colostomy would be the best option for the care of his sacral decubiti. They also advocated obtaining a mirror to teach BL wound care of his own decubiti, which he was very involved in. The nurse took the time to talk to BL and educate him of his care so that he could make informed decisions. Thanks to the dedication, hard work, and excellent nursing care of our team, BL was able to be discharged earlier than expected. The social work and case manager team, in collaboration with the patient, was able to create and expedite a safe discharge plan, which included follow-ups and access to the needed supplies for him to care for his healing sacral wound, not to mention the mirror. On the day of discharge, BL was very grateful for the care he had received. He stood at the nursing station and thanked everyone. He announced, “the nurses created a miracle in me”. He stated that he did not recognize himself; he was a changed man. He thanked the nurses for always introducing themselves to him even when he was not mentally with it and nonverbal. He said this was how he learned everyone’s name. The staff was very moved by his statements and stated that they were going to miss BL.

This nursing team consistently provides exceptional care, empathy, kindness, and competence in their interactions with patients. They ensure that patients receive the highest quality care, promoting both physical and emotional well-being. They are committed to continuous improvement and professional growth, resulting in the best patient outcomes. The nurses of 5400 work seamlessly as a team, promoting open communication and mutual support. Their collaborative and cohesive efforts enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to a positive work environment. In the face of challenges and changing healthcare landscapes, this team has shown remarkable adaptability and resiliency. Patient safety is a top priority for this nursing team, and they consistently implement best practices to prevent harm and ensure a safe healthcare environment for all.

In conclusion, the nursing team on 5400 exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, dedication, and compassion. Their unwavering commitment to patient care and their outstanding contributions to our institution makes them an ideal choice for the DAISY Team Award. I wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional nursing team for this well-deserved honor. Their dedication and selflessness inspire us all, and their impact on patient care is immeasurable.