A frail, at risk 66-year-old patient arrived to RRMC Emergency Department in the late evening with multiple fractures in the setting of an unwitnessed fall. The patient had a psychiatric history and was in significant pain. The next morning, Samantha was assisting the patient's primary nurse in cutting rings off the patient's affected fingers in preparation for surgical fixation of her broken fingers when the patient became distraught. 

The patient refused to be admitted and refused surgery because she was worried about her cats and her bird and who would feed these animals. The patient clearly needed to be admitted. Samantha took the initiative to calm and comfort the patient by reassuring the patient that Samantha would find a way to have her pets taken care of. 

Samantha called the Hampton Animal Control after hours number and reached an agent who stated that Animal Control would not be able to take care of the pets over the weekend. Undeterred, Samantha enlisted the assistance of a Hampton Firefighter/Paramedic who graciously agreed to enter the patient's residence and feed both cats and the patient's bird. 

Furthermore, Samantha used FaceTime with the Paramedic to demonstrate to the patient that her animals were taken care of in real time. The patient was incredibly appreciative and received the surgeries she needed to maintain function in her arm. 

Samantha's compassion and "never give up" mentality were in keeping with not only the spirit of the DAISY Award, but also the finest traditions of patient-centered, whole-patient nursing