Lori was assisting another nurse with caring for a patient who was scheduled to have a thoracotomy/VATS procedure. The patient was very anxious regarding his surgery and Lori asked if she could call his family for him. During the conversation, he shared with Lori that he was adopted and his parents had both since passed away. Lori explained to him that while he was here with us, she would be his family. Lori sat with him and talked to him about herself and her children so that he would truly feel like they knew each other. They shared a few laughs and the patient left Pre-op feeling much more at ease. Before Lori left for the day, she informed the PACU staff that this patient was her family member and they'd better make sure to take extra special care of him. The days following his surgery, Lori spent her lunch break visiting with him in his room. When she would stop by, he'd tell the nursing staff that they could let her in…she was family.
This act of kindness and compassion exemplifies the 'above and beyond' behavior that the DAISY Award aims to recognize. Lori takes the opportunity to make our patients feel warm and welcome…and that makes all of the difference in the world!