Sara Fidanza is an exceptional nurse and very deserving of the DAISY Award! Sara's compassionate, caring, empathetic approach develops life-long relationships with patients and families. She meets patients and families at the time of diagnosis and spends much time teaching them about the disease, medications, medication side effects, medical management, long term goals and treatment plans.
Sara's honest, sincere, empathetic approach is entrusting to families. Her knowledge and experience of over 30 years of pediatric nursing specializing in roles with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Intestinal Rehab Disease, nutritional support, and Pediatric GI exemplifies Children's Hospital Colorado mission and values in addition to forming relationships with patients and families across the continuum of care.
Sara's outstanding communication skills and excellent customer service skills ensure the family receives exceptional care and thorough education. Sara is available to continue the education sessions at upcoming appointments and by phone and always displays excellent communication and ownership to close the loop on patient care issues. The families feel empowered to participate in family centered care and consult with Sara when assessment changes or questions arise. Sara's positive attitude and energy is contagious and felt by all the multidisciplinary staff she collaborates with to provide care. Sara will continuously go above and beyond to assist patients, families, and staff. She works closely with all GI providers, surgery, procedure, radiology, home care, social workers, pharmacy, inpatient staff, clinical specialists, and educators.
Here is one example of how Sara displays her talents to provide patient care: Sara meets a patient on the inpatient floor shortly after a scope indicating a new diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Sara then develops patient education material with written information and handouts and visits the family while inpatient to start as an introduction to our team and start the education process. Sara reviews the diagnosis, discusses how the disease presents, medical management options, reviews medications and side effects, and discusses long and short term goals with treatment. Sara will spend hours with the initial evaluation and session. Then at each visit in clinic Sara will re-connect with the families to review changes in the plan of care and follow up plan. Sara will then coordinate the care needed in the community whether with the PCP, outside lab, specialty pharmacy or insurance group, and much more. Sara has established relationships in the community to facilitate excellent care coordination.
Families will call Sara between appointments for advice, recommendations, and changes in care. They trust her expertise, care coordination, and advice. Many of Sara's families have recognized her outstanding skills and care and have nominated for awards including CCFA woman of the year and nursing excellence awards. Sara is well respected and valued by all patients, families, and team members.
In addition to her patient care duties, Sara is a participant at many leadership meetings, policy and procedure, and committees throughout the hospital to improve patient safety and care delivery. Sara actively participates in quality and research to continuously improve care delivery and patient outcomes. Sara's an essential member of our team and well respected and consulted by all team members including her physician colleagues. Sara's mentorship of new staff and students has spread the knowledge and exceptional care delivery throughout our department. Her role modeling outstanding care has been infectious.