Mr. H was admitted to NICU following a stroke. He declined aggressive measures, including surgery, for the large bleed that was found. Mr. H said he did not want to be placed on machines. His family expressed how important quality of life was to him and they were in agreement with his wishes. The family stated "if he can't be out in his shop anymore, he would not want to live". A plan was made to transfer Mr. H to our Palliative Care unit and provide pain and symptom management; however, there was no bed available at the time.

Mr. H’s son, in the meantime, told the nurse caring for his father, that he loved to be outside and asked if there was any way that he could be taken outside into the fresh air. It would have been easy to respond “No, he is in the ICU”. However, Mr. H’s nurse, did not let any barriers to this seemingly reasonable request hinder her. There was an emergency exit door directly to the outside; so Melody did what was necessary to make it happen! Mr. H was too weak to sit in a wheelchair, so his bed was rolled just outside the emergency door far enough for him to feel and see the sunlight. He was surrounded by his family and they shared stories of his life and the kind of person he was.

Mr. H has since passed away and I received a call from his daughter today. She spoke of how impressed she was with the care her father received. She also expressed her appreciation for Melody and her taking her father outside to be in the sun. She stated that there was no way we knew how much it meant to him.

I am so proud of Melody Daniels, RN and am pleased to honor her with the DAISY Award!