Hospital stays can be a bit stressful, especially for someone who has not had to endure this experience in five decades. When you add the lack of understanding of the need for hospitalization to the patient experience, it can be traumatizing. This was the case with my mother, she was in your Critical Care Unit earlier this month.
During her stay, there were bouts of confusion, disorientation, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, as well as despair on her part. Having been an independent woman for so many years made it difficult for her to accept her hospitalization and necessary treatment(s). Regina Salazar was the ray of light that helped provide some understanding of the need for treatment with hope for recovery. She gained my mother's trust through sincere dialogue, respect, and dignity, helping her to understand that medications and treatment given were to help her health improve. Regina's manner was calming and disarming without negative confrontation. Her words of consolation helped my mother as well as me through a process that, at times, was difficult.
It is for these reasons that I take this opportunity and time to nominate Regina Salazar for the DAISY Award. I appreciate the opportunity to make such a nomination.